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Both of them seemed to become aware of his looming, listening, vastly entertained presence at the same moment. Fitzwilliam glanced up with a scowl. Miss Beryl’s eyes widened even further, huge glistening green pools a man could swim in and never need to come up for air. For a fraction of a second she seemed nonplussed.
Then her glance cut sideways to Fitzwilliam’s red face. His intensely scowling red face. Just for a moment. And then she flashed him a smile and dipped a curtsey.
Brilliant. She knew how the game should be played.
“Good day, your grace.”
“Miss Beryl, good day.” He bowed over her hand, breathed gently onto the underside of her wrist, and let his fingers trail through hers as she shivered deliciously and withdrew. “It’s been far too long. Was it Lady Baldwin’s soiree?”
Another flashing smile, accompanied by a delighted dimple. “That was only last week.”
“Indeed yes. Far, far too long a time.” He’d maneuvered for the introduction between the Baldwin niece’s Italian aria and her accomplished, intricate performance on the floor harp. Of course, Lady Baldwin had been too busy talking up her niece to oblige, but adorable Lady Gower, her predatorial eyes glittering with a hope of scandal, had been only too happy. And then she’d stood nearby, watching his performance as he’d charmed Miss Beryl with more attention than she’d given sweet Miss Baldwin’s. “It seems we never meet, certainly not sufficiently often. Forward rogue that I am, might I inquire as to your social schedule? There’s the Holly Hall dinner tonight, the Kirkhoven card party—” not that he’d be invited to that one “—the public assembly tomorrow night at the Hanover Square Rooms—”
“I’ll be with a party at the assembly rooms.” Her voice was breathy, eager, tantalizing. She didn’t glance aside again, instead leaning forward, toward him. Those huge eyes widened even more, their dark centers expanding and driving out the green. Oh, yes, a man could get lost in those eyes. Well, some men.
Miss Beryl promised to be the most intriguing of targets. And tasty wouldn’t begin to describe her.
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His Grace is such a fun character, not least because he loves women so much. If you missed his debut, you can pick up Scandal on Half Moon Street for the amazingly low price of only 99¢ from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords.
Thanks for stopping by. Cheers,
Vivian