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“Oh, do not play coy with me. You know who I mean.” Selena waved a dismissive hand. “The dashing viscount whom you made to dance to your tune.”
“Firstly, I didn’t make him dance—” Jo protested.
“Yet,” Selena interrupted proudly.
“I just made him chase a little girl.”
Both women erupted in laughter. “That must have been a sight for the ages. I wish I was there,” Selena said.
Jo cocked her head to the side. “Where were you, exactly?”
“Do not change the subject!” Selena raised a staying hand, then clasped her hands together and laid her cheek against them, looking up at Jo dreamily. “Tell me about the viscount.”
Jo snorted. “There is nothing to tell. He played with his niece and watched after her for a while—which I found rather charming. But he didn’t seem happy about it. What did you hear, anyway?”
“Just that he is not the man to humiliate himself in front of others and yet he did it for a girl…”
“She is his niece,” Jo said dryly.
“They meant you!”
Jo rolled her eyes. “He did no such thing. We weren’t even introduced, and he didn’t say a word to me. Perhaps grumbled something angrily. But it doesn’t matter, anyway. You know that I don’t get involved with aristocrats.”
“Oh, but maybe you should. That viscount is gorgeous,” Selena said dreamily.
Jo heaved a sigh. “I shall do what I always do. I shall flirt with everyone, I shall be a perfect performer, and then I shall go home to my tiny little room and count the money I have earned. And honestly, you should do the same.”
Selena instantly straightened. “I shall make no such promises.”
* * *
Richard stood in the corner of the ballroom surrounded by his peers and discussing their political aspirations for the upcoming year when she walked into the ballroom.
Miss Josephine Claremont.
In the time between their little game and the ball, he had found out her name. How could he not? The entire house party was buzzing with the news that a mere actress—albeit gorgeous and spirited—had taken the viscount to heel.
She had not, of course. Richard had only interacted with her once, and only for the sake of his niece, but the rumors and speculations had spread like wildfire.
It didn’t help that as many liaisons as Richard had, none of them were ever public. It didn’t help that apparently Miss Claremont was never officially tied to any one man, either. So now everyone was whispering behind their fans and watching Richard’s reaction to Josephine’s arrival at the ball.
Formerly, Richard would have been annoyed by the gossip. He would have acted gruffly and tried to dissuade the whispers. But now that both of his sisters were married, he found he didn’t mind the gossip. Besides, by the end of the house party, he would be married too. Soon, he would be shackled to a respectable young lady, and she would help him host similar parties while they worked on a brood of heirs.
As things stood, he didn’t see any harm in having some fun while he could.
Richard studied Miss Claremont as she walked regally across the room, her skirts flowing about her ankles. Her red gown accentuated the mahogany strands in her chestnut brown hair. She smiled at everyone as she walked, a soothing contrast to the haughty aristocratic women.
He understood suddenly the appeal of the woman. He had seen her in plays more than once, but he’d never truly noticed her. She was lauded for her unparalleled beauty and her exceptional talent, but Richard had never paid any heed. He never truly went to the theater to watch a play. It was a ploy for him to romance a lady or to catch up on gossip. Now he wished he had paid attention.
Because now gentlemen lined up at her feet, begging for a dance as they tried to catch her interest with their knowledge of her performances or their love for the theater.
Richard had none of that. He didn’t enjoy theater. He’d known nothing about Miss Claremont before today.
But he did know one thing.
Miss Josephine Claremont was absolutely gorgeous. And she was going to be his. There was no question.
“Pardon me, gentlemen.” Richard tipped his head toward his friends and walked away, his gaze solely on the beautiful actress.
