Page 5 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

Ravenna’s lip curled in distaste. “With courtesans?”

“That was not my impression. I shall look into the matter later this week. For tonight, try not to engage his interest. Don’t dwell on the talk that he is a splendid lover. Do not even acknowledge that he exists.”

“That’s a bit awkward, not to mention impolite. Someone is bound to wonder why I’m ignoring an old friend. That might embarrass the duke.”

“He does not seem to be man overly concerned with what others make of him.”

“He never was,” Ravenna said pensively.

“Which is probably why he fits in so well with our family. He is on the top of the list of people I told you to avoid in London.”

Human nature being what it was, this warning rendered Simon irresistible. Ravenna had wondered what had occupied his time since his last visit to Wales. Yet whenever she asked her brothers about him, the subject quickly changed.

She’d come to the conclusion that Simon had grown up to be a naughty gentleman. It was almost an inevitability, considering his unsupervised youth. Simon had been accomplished at outsmarting his college professors and his parents had died when he was young, forcing him to find his own way under the guidance of tutors and older uncles who believed a peer should not demonstrate emotion. Expressing one’s virility was apparently another matter.

She looked up again. Simon was gone. Her cousin Heath, her primary guardian in London, stood in his place. Was Heath staring at her askance? He was far too intelligent to hoodwink. She retreated behind another guest before he could approach her.

An unexpected hush fell across the ballroom as the band prepared for the final set.

It was time for Rhys to meet her. The wallflowers shifted, hoping to dance or disappear. Couples milled about the floor in their best finery. Champagne and lemonade flowed.

The ball would end soon, as would Ravenna’s fleeting existence in the beautiful world. However, the party had only begun, with a play, gambling, and breakfast on the lawn to follow the night.

David had timed his tryst well, having explained that he would be busy for the next hour greeting a few old friends. Ravenna had just lost sight of him when her brother finally joined her at the doors to the gardens. “Thank heavens,” she murmured. “You took forever. I thought you might have reconsidered.”

“It occurred to me.” Rhys stood considerably taller than she did; although they weren’t as alike in appearance as they’d once been, they had inherited similar unruly black hair and blue eyes. Her twin was her devoted ally even if she was afraid he’d become a rake. He had served in the King’s Royal Hussars and she was proud of him.

“What did you learn?” she asked as he guided her to quieter spot.

“I heard David and Lady Frampton confirming their rendezvous while I was loitering upstairs in the Italian gallery. I felt like one of the Duchess of Wellington’s lady spies. I had to duck behind a vestal virgin so that your betrothed wouldn’t recognize me.”

She pursed her lips. “I’m surprised you didn’t engage the virgin’s interest while she was hiding you.”

“Didn’t I mention that she was a statue? Grayson has one in every corner. And I never show interest when it isn’t invited. By the way, you are not allowed to visit that room.” He pulled out his enameled pocket watch. “They should be in the garden soon. Hear me, Ravenna. I am still not convinced this is for you to do. David might turn on you. I’ve seen the temper that hides behind his charm.”

“He calls it manliness.”

“I call it cowardice. I’d prefer to be the one to confront him.”

“After me,” she said, looking away.

“His quick tongue won’t sway me this time. Why not entrust me with this task?”

Because a sorrowful part of her wanted to give the louse the benefit of the doubt. Because her sense of fair play insisted he have a chance to be proven innocent, a flirt at worst. And if she found out otherwise, she needed to exorcise him from her life once and for all.

“Why not?” he asked her again.

“Our family is prone to extreme measures. I don’t want a violent scene.”

“He deserves it.” He let out a sigh. “As you like. He and the viscountess were so closely pressed together in conversation I couldn’t have stuck a pin between them.”

“Then on with the night. I flush him out. You, and anyone else in the vicinity, serve as my witness. He won’t crawl out of this deceit.”

He stared down at his watch. “You shouldn’t need more than seven minutes. After that I shall intervene. If anything happens in the meantime, call for me.”

“It’s what comes after that I’m worried about.”

“What ‘after’?” he said bleakly. “A broken engagement, a blackened name, and probable exile to the West Indies.”

“At least I won’t be married to a philanderer.” She caught her lip in her teeth, staring out across the terrace. “Does the viscount have any idea about his wife?”

“No. The hapless old fool is winning at whist. Hurry now. You remember the lay-out of the gardens from our stroll this morning?”

“It looks different in the dark,” she murmured.

“They’re meeting at the Temple of Aphrodite,” he said. “There are no lights past the fountain. The stars will have to guide you. Turn to your right once you reach the end of the cockle-shell path or you will be visible in the clearing. You do not wish me to accompany you?”

She shook her head resolutely.

“I’ll wait down here by the wall where I won’t be easily seen,” he said. “I’m afraid Miss Haviland spotted me on the stairs and is seeking me out.”

“Our anonymity in London won’t last much longer. We’ll be as infamous as the rest of the family before the party ends.”