Page 36 of A Story of Love

Lori ignored the pang she felt at the taunting thought and stared out the window, the rain on the glass blurring her vision.

Chapter 10

Fast obeyed the voice of wisdom for almost two weeks before he threw common sense to the wind and asked Miss Fontenot for a dance.

“Is that a new gown, Miss Fontenot?” he asked as they took their positions for a waltz.

She looked amused. “I suppose it is a bad sign when even a man who sets Runners on me notices when I get a new dress.”

“Will you never forgive me for that?”

“No.”

He laughed.

“I can’t believe you noticed my new gown, my lord.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“You are more a Corinthian than a tulip of fashion. I cannot believe you waste a moment’s thought about what most people wear.”

“In the main I don’t pay much attention to other people’s clothing, but I make the occasional exception.”

She fluttered her eyelashes with mock coquettishness. “Why, Lord Severn, are you flirting with me?”

“I would never presume.”

She snorted. “I was surprised when you asked me to dance after ignoring me these past weeks.”

Fast was flabbergasted when he felt heat creep up his neck. Why the cheeky little minx had embarrassed him! Perhaps he’d be lucky and she’d not notice. After all, he was still darkly tanned and—

“Why, Lord Severn! I do believe you are blushing.”

“Nonsense,” he said gruffly.

She laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Why did you suddenly decide to acknowledge me again? And don’t tell me that my new gown is responsible for the gesture.”

Fast could have told her that he’d asked her despite the frumpy new gown. But he suspected that even a woman with little regard for her appearance wouldn’t care for that comment.

So instead, he said, “I got tired of waiting for you ask me again.”

“Has it really been so long?”

“You are cruel woman, Miss Fontenot. Here I’ve been counting the minutes, and you didn’t even notice.”

She laughed again. “I can understand it now.”

“Understand what?”

“Your reputation as King of the Rakes. You are dangerously charming when you’re not threatening a woman with Runners.”

He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I’m disappointed that you’ve managed to bring that up twice in less than as many minutes.”

“Not nearly as disappointed as I was the day those two hulking men showed up on my doorstep.”

“You do hold a grudge, don’t you Miss Fontenot?”

“I’m dancing with you, aren’t I?”