Page 29 of Rogue’s Holiday

Chapter 7

Chastity surreptitiously glanced to her right and met the piercing gaze of her nemesis, his hazel eyes sparkling in the light of the single candle that lit their table. “I do believe it’s your play, Miss Reynolds.”

Quickly she looked to her hand, concentrating on her next move, hoping he had not detected her stare. “A moment please.” Whist was her favorite game and, with her acquired skill and partnered with the vicomte, she intended to win. It mattered not that The Rogue was dealer and had just turned up the trump card, the six of hearts. Hearts was her least favorite suit. It only reminded her how fleeting love was and how dangerous it could be to one’s wellbeing to get involved with a rogue.

She had not forgotten his laughter in response to the brazen flirtations of the woman sitting beside him at the king’s table. When she’d asked Mr. Flowers who the woman was, he said, “Oh that’s Countess Lieven, the wife of the Russian Ambassador to Great Britain. I don’t see her husband here tonight.”

The wife!Why should she be surprised that a rogue like Sir Robert would encourage the attentions of a married woman? After all, his friend the king did the same. And why did Countess Lieven have to be one of those beautiful women with very dark hair, in this case auburn, and skin like the purest ivory?

Chastity hadn’t minded when Sir Robert turned away the two men who’d entertained her and Rose at dinner. They were not the brightest of fellows and neither was good enough for her friend, Rose, but at least the two had been lavish with their attention. And Sir Robert did lie when he said she and Rose had promised him and the vicomte a game of whist. That he had lied as an excuse to take them away from the two men annoyed her but she was unsurprised. It was just the thing a rogue who wanted his way would do. She had met his penetrating gaze often enough to know he was a man who did as he pleased. Surely, the fact he would impose a kiss on a total stranger was evidence enough!

Chastity laid down the six of clubs and the play moved to Rose, who would have to play the same suit if she could.

Rose stared at her cards, deep in concentration.

Two rooms had been set up for whist, backgammon, chess, vingt-et-un and loo. In a third room the king’s guests were treated to music. Chastity could hear the sounds echoing throughout the Pavilion.

The foursome played whist under the watchful eye of Aunt Agatha who sat in a nearby chair drinking tea with one of her woman friends.

Finally, Rose laid down the jack of clubs.

Across the table, Chastity gave her partner a hopeful glance. But he must have had nothing in the suit of clubs ranking higher, for he laid down the two of clubs and returned Chastity a sympathetic look.

Sir Robert inserted the trump card back into his hand and set down the five of clubs.

With a smile of delight aimed at her partner, Rose gathered the cards, taking the trick.

The game continued with each set of players taking tricks. Despite the best effort of Chastity and the vicomte, Sir Robert and Rose managed to gather the most tricks and were the first to compile the winning score of five points. She was thankful that at least Sir Robert did not gloat.

When the game ended, the vicomte gathered the cards into a neat stack. “Shall we adjourn to the Music Room?”

“I would enjoy that,” said Rose with enthusiasm.

As they stood, Sir Robert offered Chastity his arm. Unless she wished to look the veriest shrew, she had no choice but to take it. Beneath her fingers, the muscles of his arm flexed. It annoyed her that she should notice. Or that, notwithstanding the heavy perfume in the Pavilion, she could detect his masculine scent of bergamot with a hint of orange. As he guided her toward the Music Room, her every sense was attuned to him.

They were about to pass her great-aunt when he paused. “Lady Sanborn, with your permission, we are escorting the ladies to a better vantage point to hear the music.”

“That sounds like a splendid idea,” said Aunt Agatha. “I will join you shortly.”

Chastity was amazed at the scale of the Music Room. She imagined it a concert hall in a Chinese emperor’s palace. As they entered, the band began playing Handel. Halfway down the large room on the left, she glimpsed the king sitting with his mistress, Lady Conyngham, a gilded couple in their middle years. Lady Conyngham had to be in her fifth decade. Chastity might have expected the king to have a young mistress but, seeing them together, she recalled Aunt Agatha saying that Prinny favored older women.

Across from the king, on the other side of the parquet floor, guests sat in long rows of chairs listening to the music. Behind them were four tall pagodas that had to be fifteen feet tall. The many-tiered towers featured stories of diminishing size as they rose in the air, an ornamented projecting roof on each one.

Above the parquet floor, hanging from the elaborately decorated recessed domed ceiling, were nine huge bowl-shaped chandeliers made to look like giant lotus flowers.

Chastity opened her fan. The room was very warm, a circumstance, she told herself, having nothing to do with the man beside her. Nevertheless, she was glad she’d taken Aunt Agatha’s advice and worn her lightest, sheerest gown, a blue-green confection perfect for such an occasion.

Sir Robert guided them to three chairs, urging them to sit. “Place your reticule on the vacant chair,” he told Chastity, “so your great-aunt will have a place when she joins us.” Chastity set her reticule on the open chair, grudgingly admiring the kindness in his purpose for chairs were in short supply.

“What about you and your uncle?” asked Rose.

“Jack and I will stand behind you,” said Sir Robert. Which is what they did, making it difficult for Chastity to think his behavior anything but that of a gentleman.

“That is very gracious of you both,” said Rose, turning to smile up at the two men.

Chastity worried that her friend was forming too great an attachment to Sir Robert. His uncle, however, would make a fine suitor. Handsome, well-mannered and rich. And she’d not observed him with any married women. Perfect for Rose.

As Chastity considered Sir Robert’s gallant gesture, she softened toward him. But that only lasted until Countess Lieven, sitting a short distance away, drew their attention with the dramatic opening of her fan. Over the top of the gilded fan she fluttered in front of her face, the countess winked at Sir Robert, making Chastity wonder if he had made an assignation to come to the countess’ bed later that night.