“More challenging?” I raised a brow.
“I expected something more exciting after proving myself in the stables. You do have imagination, do you not?” She looked at me as if she did not believe I was capable of a creative thought. But I played pretend as a child just as everyone else, and I had read my share of fiction novels . . . two or three of them at least.
I dished some buttered potatoes and scallops onto her plate. While I thought of some genius idea that might impress her, she could hold up her end of the bargain and eat something.
After she speared a potato and placed it into her mouth, I relaxed back into my seat.
“Miss Lewis.” Barry’s oily voice, which had wooed more ladies than I could count, felt slimy on my ears.
“Yes?” she asked.
“I would be remiss if we finished dinner before I told you how charming that gown of yours is.”
I looked over her plate in time to see Barry’s eyes drift to her bodice. My teeth ground together.
“Thank you.” Miss Lewis lifted her glass and held it there, almost as if she was blocking her face from Barry’s view. I did not blame her. At least it sent a signal to Barry, since I saw him turn once again to MaryAnne. But I knew Barry, and he was the last man on earth I would trust. He would turn his sights on Miss Lewis when given the chance. If not to anger me, then because he could not resist a pretty face.
I had to do something to prevent his attention from returning.
Shifting subtly, I leaned toward Miss Lewis, feigning an air of casual ease. My hand lifted to scratch beneath my nose, but in truth, it served as a discreet shield for my words. “I have an idea for the challenge. And this time, no excuses about unfairness or poking fun at my creativity.”
Miss Lewis coughed, but I was certain it was to cover a laugh.
“Very well.” She took a sip of her glass. “Let’s hear it.”
“We must pretend to be smitten with each other for the rest of the night.”
She had just taken a second sip and choked. She quickly took a third, and fortunately, the chatter at the table covered the moment it took to recover.
Her head swung my way. “Weren’t we just trying to convince your friends that you weren’t avoiding them because of me?”
“That’s why it will be so entertaining.” I did not mention that I also hoped Barry would back off as a result.
“And if I fail?”
My lips pulled up at the corner. “A solo.”
She searched my face for clues I was not ready to give. “You must really want to hear me sing.”
I’d heard enough singing in my dreams that I might as well hear a different tune. Why not one from Miss Lewis? She had claimed to be musical. I cleared my throat. “So, you think you will lose the wager?”
Her lips curled into a smile. “I never said anything about losing.” She tilted her head, and the candlelight played across her dark curls. “Thereis one thing you should know about me, Lord Camden. Regardless of the challenge, I will always rise to the occasion.”
I had seen that stubborn glint in her eyes before, but I had not expected to see it applied to my outlandish idea. I sensed the night was about to get very interesting.
And the anticipation did wonders for my mood.
Chapter 23
Estelle
Curse my stubborn self. I was an utter fool. With Reginald’s friend, Mr. Goodwin, seated three chairs down from me, I should have been searching for ways to escape the dinner party. Making a wager with Lord Camden to pretend to be smitten with him was not anywhere on the night’s menu. No good would come from this. And yet, the thrill of the idea kept me rooted in my seat and eating dessert with anticipation.
Moments ago, I had been terrified. I had thought of Nora like I had promised and listed all the excuses I could make to Lady Camden so I might sit in the carriage until the night was over. Now my commitment to flee melted away like the crystalized fruit on my tongue.
I set my left hand on the table beside my plate, and a moment later, Lord Camden set his right hand directly beside it, brushing mine. It was the smallest touch, but heat seared up my arm. Propriety told me to pull away before someone saw us, but then I would lose the wager, wouldn’t I? He was testing me. Little did he know that even if I tried, I could not have moved my hand.
Not for the fact that I had invited Lord Camden to pay attention to his sister’s lowly companion.
