“So whose marriage were you discussing before I arrived?”
“My marriage to your brother,” Alix said.
“Oh.” Elizabeth’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “I have put my foot in it, haven’t I?”
“Indeed,” Rafe agreed.
“Forgive me, please, and let me be the first to extend my congratulations.” She studied the two them thoughtfully. “Does Lady Anne know about this?”
“We’re keeping it quiet for the moment. When the time comes, I shall tell Lady Anne myself.”
“May I come with you?”
“No brat, you may not.”
“I’d give up my voucher for Almack’s to see the expression on her face when she hears your news.”
“If you receive one. And I’m certain Lady Anne will wish us only the best.”
“I’m certain she’d rather eat the feathers on her hat.”
Alix struggled to keep a straight face during this exchange; she agreed with Elizabeth and added the silent prayer that Anne Dinsmore choked on them.
“So,” Elizabeth said brightly, “were you introduced in France?”
Alix glanced at Rafe. It was a question both had dodged before. Rafe drew a card and, without looking at his sister, said, “Alix and I met in Paris quite by accident. She was most taken by me.”
“Indeed, at our first meeting, his lordship seemed almost a different man, as if cut from a simpler cloth.”
“And yet she practically threw herself into my arms.”
He was incorrigible, Alix thought, smiling sweetly across her cards. “I must admit, he outshone my companions at the time.”
Rafe’s shoulders shook slightly. “Mademoiselle, you flatter me.”
Elizabeth stared at them both in bewilderment. “Why is it that when people become betrothed they start speaking utter nonsense?”
Lord Minton and James Dinsmore strolled up to the table. “Come now, Moreham,” Minton said. “You can’t monopolize two such lovely ladies all evening.” He smiled at Alix.
“The silver siren’shaunting song
Across the waves doth waft along,
Mere mortal men cannot resist
Lost beyond reason, dare drowning for a kiss”
“I wrotethat for Mademoiselle de La Brou. What do you think Moreham? Did you get the reference to across the waves, just as Mademoiselle de La Brou has come to us across the channel? Quite clever if I don’t say so myself.”
“You’d be the only one,” Rafe muttered.
“Well, mademoiselle, Lady Percy’s going to honor uswith a recital on the pianoforte. If you’d care to listen, I’ll escort you to the music room.”
James Dinsmore looked over at Elizabeth. “Lady Elizabeth, would you care to join us? My sister has offered to save us seats.”
Elizabeth winked at Rafe. “That would be delightful.”
Sometime later,Alix stepped outside the Percys’ salon for a breath of fresh air. Lady Percy had vigorously pounded her way through a prelude by Bach. Resisting the urge to rub her ears, she wondered if she might ever appreciate the piece again. She crossed her arms and gazed up at that night sky, inhaling the crisp fall air. She caught the scents of dry leaves, apples, and tobacco. But before she could register that she was not completely alone, a pair of strong arms encircled her and she felt familiar lips against her neck.
