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He cares what the ton thinks, does he not? He’s always out to impress.
James’ eyes found his brother across the room. Neil Follet, known by others as Lord Frampton, was quite the center of attention. Gentlemanly, well dressed, and of an affable manner, he had always been the family’s favorite. James hadn’t minded his brother being the favorite. The only thing that disappointed him was that over the years, he had lost Neil’s good opinion.
He could still remember the last conversation he and Neil had had on this subject.
‘You’re a gambling hall owner, James. You know what people think of you, do you not? I am tainted by association!’
James supposed the invitation sent to him to come tonight was Neil’s way of not wishing the ton to see there was a divide in their family. It gutted James to the core, but he was happy to play along if it would earn him some respect from Neil.
“Your Grace?” The lady beside him longed for his attention again, and he turned back to face her. The Countess of Warrington was persistent. A beauty with curling black hair and startlingly dark eyes, the night they’d spent in passion had been an enjoyable thing, yet he had thought she’d known that was all it was. At the time, she’d accepted it, but now, it seemed she wanted something else.
“My Lady, we have talked about this.” He lowered his voice, talking to her in confidence. “You have your suitors, plenty of them, but I am not one of them. You were happy with our arrangement the last time we talked.”
“Is it so wrong to hope one night could become something more?” she asked, attempting a sweet tone. He could have laughed at the attempt, for it was so ridiculous.
“Do not place hope on me, My Lady. I am not the man for you.” He turned away from her and tried to escape across the room, but to his dismay, she followed. He reached for a drinks table where citrus fruits had been laid out for a non-alcoholic punch. He was about to pour himself one when the Countess turned up at his side again.
“One dance, Your Grace, that is all I ask. Perhaps my company could change your mind?” Her pleading was desperate. He could not stay to listen.
“Pray, excuse me.” He abandoned the attempt to find a drink and left the room. Hastening to the door, he stepped out into the hallway, only to hear the Countess was still calling after him.
“Your Grace?”
“Good Lord, she will not rest.” Turning on the spot, he looked for an escape. The staircase nearby offered such an escape route. He reached for it and hurried up the steps as quickly as he could.
Reaching the landing, he turned on the spot, only to hear more footsteps on the staircase behind him.
She follows… I have never known a lady so persistent!
With frantic hands, he reached for the nearest door and tried to open it, but the door handle did not move. He supposed it must have led to a garderobe or privy, for it had been locked tight.
“Damn,” he muttered, moving down the corridor and looking for another door.
“Your Grace?” The Countess’ voice was growing closer now.
Ordinarily, James would have been stern with her. He could frighten people without trying and was certain he could scare the Countess off, but tonight he had been invited to his brother’s house, and he didn’t want to cause trouble. If Neil was already wary of James’ reputation, then he wasn’t going to cause a stir at the ball. What if the Countess cried and ran to the ballroom, telling everyone he’d used her ill? He couldn’t risk it.
Without looking where he was going, glancing over his shoulder, he reached for a second door. This one he was relieved to find was open. Flinging the door wide, he stepped inside.
He was so determined to escape that he didn’t notice at first there was light in the room from a candle. He merely closed the door behind him and pressed his face to the gap. With one eye, he saw the Countess hurry down the corridor, still looking for him.
“Oh.” Someone’s shocked gasp had him turning around.
At last, James realized exactly what situation he’d walked into. He was in his brother’s bedchamber, yet it was not empty.
A young lady stood before him, wearing nothing but her chemise and her corset. She was striking in her beauty with cinnamon-colored hair wound perfectly into an updo, and green eyes so bold and large in her face that as they widened at his entry, they seemed to take up most of her face. Her full lips parted in wonder.
James’ mind worked fast, understanding exactly what was happening. Neil had a lady waiting for him in his room for such night-time lusts and passions, yet Neil was not the one to find her, James was.
“God’s wounds,” James muttered, staring straight at her. It didn’t help that she was beautiful nor that the lack of clothes and well-placed corset revealed a curvy figure that ordinarily would have had James’ blood raging.
“You are not supposed to be here,” she muttered, the surprise making her voice weak.
CHAPTER2
Marina turned and grabbed the gown off the bed, holding it over her body to hide herself.
This was not the way it was supposed to go!
