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“I look forward to it,” Mélisande told her with a smile. “I’m also having a party that evening and several of my friends are coming early for a few rounds of chess and cards. Do you play?”
Alessandro had to refrain from chuckling aloud at the audible sighs of envy that issued forth from the fringe of onlookers. He was most pleased indeed.
“I do, my la—I mean Melly,” Miss Doulton corrected herself, continuing only after receiving a slight nod of approval from her new acquaintance. “I play whist and have recently begun to learn chess. Unlike your ladyship, I’m afraid I’m not very good yet,” she admitted.
“Well, practice makes perfect, after all,” Mélisande replied, her manner indulgent. “The only way to improve is to play. I’ll play a round or two with you myself and then match you with an appropriate partner, if you like,” she offered. The smile she received in answer could have lit the whole of Kensington Palace. “Come at two, then. And I expect you to be there early, as well,” she told Pelham.
“I shall arrive at dawn, armed and ready,” came the man’s droll response.
Ignoring his sarcasm, Mélisande cocked her head. “I believe they just announced the next dance, a sarabande. One of your favorites, is it not?” she asked Pelham too brightly, her eyes conveying an indisputable command as they flicked over to Miss Doulton.
Pelham’s eyes sparkled with humor. “Actually, I thought y—”
“I’m already obligated somewhere else or I’d claim you myself,” Mélisande interrupted him, “but I’m sure there are other ladies in need of a partner.” Her smile broadened, her eyes narrowing.
Watching the interplay, Alessandro got the distinct impression that Pelham would pay through the nose if he refused. Apparently, Pelham interpreted her look the same way, as well, for he turned to the lady in question with a smile.
“Miss Doulton, I would be honored if you would grant me this next dance,” Pelham murmured, darting a black look at Mélisande just before Miss Doulton looked up at him in surprise.
“I would be delighted, Lord Pelham,” the girl replied a little breathlessly.
Alessandro smiled at Mélisande’s handling of the situation. She’d quite neatly transferred the burden of Miss Doulton’s affection from him to Pelham, who would undoubtedly shift it to some more deserving soul later that evening.
Mélisande now turned to him with a look that heated the blood in his veins. “Shall we retire to the library for that rematch?” she suggested.
“Indeed, I should like a chance to reclaim my dignity.”
Her smile was feline. “I admit our last game wasn’t really fair, seeing that the conditions under which we played were to my distinct advantage. Perhaps this time I should give you the first move.”
Alessandro grinned at her double entendre. “I thank you for the generous offer, but I require no handicap to take you, my lady.”
Before she could respond with more than a low chuckle, they were interrupted by the arrival of Stanton and his sister. Alessandro greeted them, praying Miss Doulton had the good grace to hold her tongue, for Stanton would not look kindly on him for meddling in his private affairs.
As he watched, he noted another interesting interaction taking place: Stanton’s sister, Miss Charlotte, appeared rather put out at the sight of Miss Doulton hanging at Pelham’s elbow. Indeed, her gaze could have frozen the Thames. Casting a surreptitious glance at Pelham, he noted the man’s eyes were fastened on her. The instant Charlotte looked at him, however, Pelham affected a look of supreme indifference.
Most interesting indeed.
The new arrivals inspired the group to continue making small talk for several minutes, until Pelham excused himself and Miss Doulton from the conversation in order to dance.
Alessandro seized the opportunity. “Our game, my lady?”
“Indeed, yes,” Mélisande responded with enthusiasm.
“You shall not defeat me this time, dear Countess,” he said for everyone’s benefit. “Fortune has surely forgiven me by now and returned to favor me.”
“Oh? Perhaps a small wager is in order,” she taunted.
“And what would you wager?”
They were out of earshot now, and her smile turned naughty. “A forfeit. One to be determined at the time and place of the winner’s choosing.”
“A dangerous bet, my lady. You know not what concession I might claim.”
Her lips curved upward, the motion slow and provocative. “The prize might be dangerous indeed—for you.”
Heads turned as he laughed aloud, but he paid them no mind. Their progress through the throng was avidly watched. Some faces were friendly and admiring, but many were tight with disapproval. He noted that Mélisande met every stare with a pleasant smile, forcing an embarrassed dropping of eyes from those inclined to be disagreeable.
Admiration filled him. Many, if not most, women would have quailed beneath some of those withering looks, yet she remained unruffled. It spoke volumes about her backbone. Along with everything else he’d discovered about her, he found her courage attractive.
