ONE LESS SCANDALOUS EARL: Bluestockings Defying Rogues Book Six Page 9

  “I guess we are co-captains at this year’s cricket match,” Darcy said. “We have more options for teammates here. What should we ask for as our prize when we win?”

  “A little arrogant of you to count our winnings before they’re earned, isn’t it?” Asthey lifted a brow. “Shelby is damn good at the game. I should know.”

  They both stopped talking when they arrived. “We’re not interrupting are we?” Samantha batted her eyelashes at them. She was well aware of their yearly cricket match. Whenever she could she’d sneak out to watch some of their private matches. Not all of them took place at country parties. One thing stayed true throughout the years. They all played and the four of them divided up differently each year. That was how they kept things between them fair.

  Kaitlin had a far away expression on her face. Her friend was probably daydreaming about something she wouldn’t share. Samantha doubted she had heard anything the two earls had been discussing. Sometimes Kaitlin lived in a world of her own. Samantha wished she could lose herself in her own mind every now and then. She had too many plans to live in a make-believe world. Samantha glanced at her friend then at the two earls. “Are you going to dance this evening?” Perhaps a little blunt but Samantha wasn’t known for her shy and demure demeanor. Her brother often called her a hellion. She wouldn’t apologize for who she was for any reason.

  “I…” Asthey stumbled over the words.

  “Why of course,” Darcy said smoothly. He bowed. “Would you care to dace Lady Samantha?”

  Why couldn’t Asthey have asked her to dance? He had started to speak first. Would he have actually asked if Darcy hadn’t interrupted him? Somehow she doubted it. “That would be lovely,” she answered him. She managed to keep a bright smile on her face even though she didn’t feel anything resembling excitement. She held out her hand to him and he led her to the floor. At least it wasn’t a waltz. She didn’t want to dance such an intimate set with Lord Darcy.

  Asthey bowed to Kaitlin and said something to her. She shook her head vigorously. Did her friend just decline to dance with him? Samantha seethed inwardly. Kaitlin had the one thing Samantha coveted before her and she had said no. That was…wrong. She turned to Darcy as he led her through the dance. They didn’t talk much and for that she was thankful. Asthey and Kaitlin strolled around the room. Samantha was green with jealousy but she tamped it down.

  “Are you enjoying the ball?” Lord Darcy asked.

  “Of course,” she answered smoothly. “Are you?”

  “Yes,” he said. “It’s been quite entertaining.”

  This had to be the most mundane conversation she’d ever had. Through it all she kept the smile on her face. She also kept track of every step Lord Asthey and Kaitlin took. They seemed to be having an animated conversation. Whatever Lord Asthey was saying Kaitlin found riveting. She wished she could hear it. Hell, Samantha just wished she could hold Lord Asthey’s attention as long as Kaitlin seemed to be holding it.

  Would he court her? Dance with her? Love her? Would Samantha wake one day to find an engagement announcement in the Times? Her heart broke at the thought. How was she to survive in a world where one of her best friends married the man she loved? What was wrong with her? She had to let him go. He clearly didn’t see her the same way. She turned her attention to Darcy. He at least looked at her as an attractive female. He might not love her, but he appreciated her.

  The dance came to an end and Lord Darcy led her to the edge of the dance floor. He bowed and said, “Thank you for the dance.”

  “It was my pleasure, Lord Darcy.” Where were Kaitlin and Asthey? She had lost track of them at the end of the dance.

  “If you’ll excuse me I see Lord Harrington. There is something I must discuss with him.”

  Samantha wasn’t a fool. He would want to discuss their upcoming cricket match. She might try to eavesdrop later. Samantha didn’t want to miss the pertinent details. She wanted to be able to watch and secretly cheer for Lord Asthey, but she could gather that information later. It was far more important to locate Kaitlin and Lord Asthey. She curtsied. “Until next time.”

  His lips twitched. “I look forward to it.” With those words he left her alone and headed toward Lord Harrington.

  At that moment she caught a glimpse of Kaitlin out of the corner of her eye. She was alone. Where had Asthey gone? Samantha scanned the room feverishly. He’d disappeared. She lost her chance at securing a dance with him. The strands of a waltz filled the room. She turned to leave the ballroom before anyone noticed the crestfallen expression on her face. She ran right into a male. He had a hard muscular chest that most women might find appealing. Samantha glanced up and met Lord Asthey’s gaze.

  “My apologies,” he said. “I should have been paying attention better.” He glanced past her to the other side of the room. He’d been heading toward Harrington too. She’d let him go plan with his friends but this was the only chance she had with him. Samantha wanted one dance. Just one. Was that too much to ask?

  “You can make it up to me by dancing with me.” She smiled softly, silently begging him. “Please.” It was the waltz. She wanted to feel his arms around her. So she could pretend for a few brief moments he loved her.

  “I…” He swallowed hard. “Of course.” Lord Asthey held out his hand to her and led her to the floor.

  Samantha felt as if she were floating on clouds. Lord Asthey was a marvelous dancer and led her expertly around the floor. This was a dream. One she had every night but until now hadn’t experienced in reality. Of course it wasn’t exactly as she had dreamed it. In her fantasies he confessed his love and asked her to marry him. A lady couldn’t have everything could she?

  She would remember this dance for the rest of her life. It probably would be the only dance she had with him. If this were all she would have she’d cherish it. When she was old and alone she could look back on it with fondness. If she were brave enough she’d confess her feelings. Even hellions had trouble spilling all their secrets though. Some confessions wouldn’t unburden the soul. It was best she kept her deepest desires to herself. She wouldn’t want to scare Lord Asthey away. It would break her heart even more if she never saw him again.

  The dance came to an end and he led her off the floor. They hadn’t said a word throughout the entire dance. That was all right with her. It was enough to have had this one dance. She smiled at him hoping he could see how much she cared. He didn’t. He bowed and made his excuses. It was over before it ever had a chance to begin. Lord Asthey left her alone and went toward his friends. Samantha’s smile wobbled a little. She had to leave before the world became privy to her anguish. Without saying a word she turned on her heels and exited the ballroom. Kaitlin could take care of herself. Marian was still there after all… Samantha barely contained her tears until she reached her chambers. Once there she let go and cried all her pain out.

  When she had no more tears to shed she sat up and wiped her face. There. That was done. Now she could move on and find a man who would love her. Lord Asthey didn’t know what he was missing.

  If only she could make herself believe that…

  Excerpt: Chance of Love

  Scandal Meets Love 6

  Dawn Brower

  Prologue

  April 1816

  Spring had always been her favorite season. Lady Lenora St. Martin didn’t have much else to look forward to and the very idea of new beginnings appealed to her. Every spring new life sprouted and the barren landscape was filled with beauty and wonder. That also applied to the London ballrooms. New debutantes were launched in society and the latest crop of true English beauties was put on display for those gentlemen in search of a wife.

  Lenora had never been considered a beauty…

  She’d accepted her lot in life a long time ago. She had dark brown hair and hazel eyes, both boring. Her attributes along with her shyness kept her position as a wallflower secure. No one noticed her and most of the time that was all right with her. A crowded ballr
oom tended to bring out her worst anxieties. Her cousin Bennett, the Marquess of Holton, insisted she attend social gatherings. Lenora understood his reasons even if she didn’t particularly agree with them. Bennett hoped she’d find a suitor, fall in love, and then marry so she could have a family of her own. All of those things sounded wonderful. None of them were likely to happen. At least not with her…

  This ball, the one most debutantes and their mothers clamored to attend, was a good example. The young misses were all flirting with their gentlemen suitors and their mothers gossiped with other matrons. The wallflowers did what they did best—hugged the walls. Lenora; on the other hand, did none of that. She didn’t merely stand by the wall hoping some wayward gentleman would discover her and lead her to the dance floor. That would have been too simple and probably preferred by her cousin. No, Lenora didn’t do anything by normal standards. She hated to be noticed and would have loved to have remained at home reading one of her favorite novels. So she attempted to make the best of a terrible situation and hid in the darkest most obscure corner she could find.

  Spring might mean new beginnings, but it also meant new social gatherings. It led to her greatest discomfort and she dreaded it. If she’d been left alone to walk in the gardens or bask in the warmth of sunlight streaming through her bedroom window she’d have been gloriously happy. Instead she was forced into ballrooms and hiding in corners.

  “What’s a lovely woman such as yourself doing in this dark corner?” His voice was as warm as honey on a hot summer day. It’s tempting sweetness washed over her and made her crave a taste…of something. He was also the biggest rake in all of London. Julian Everleigh, the Duke of Ashley was a notorious seducer. “Come dance with me little mouse.”

  Lenora wrinkled her nose at his endearment for her. She adored Julian, but she knew better than to accept anything he offered. He visited her cousin often enough she should be unaffected by his flirtations. They thrilled her though and she wanted to savor them whenever he deigned to speak to her. “No thank you,” she said softly. “I’m all right, promise.”

  He chuckled lightly and then tilted his lips upward into the most sinful smile she’d ever witnessed. Not that she’d seen many… Most gentlemen failed to notice her let alone smile purposely in her direction. “You shouldn’t promise something that isn’t true little one,” he said. “I don’t ever bother with a promise because I know myself too well. I’ll break them the first chance presented to me.” Julian winked at her and it sent flutters through her stomach she’d never felt before in her entire life. “Instead I’ll ensure you will never forget dancing with me. I’m quite good at it.” He held out his hand. “Now please, do me the honor of spending a few moments with me. I’m in desperate need of protection from unwanted advances.” He leaned down just enough so that she could feel his warm breath when he spoke. “Are you willing to be my savior?”

  In that moment she’d have promised him anything, but she held back. He said promises were nothing to him. The duke openly admitted to breaking them often. The vow she was about to make would be empty words to him. So instead she smiled, even if it was a little wobbly. Dancing in front of everyone terrified her. “I can try…”

  “That’s all anyone can ask,” he told her.

  Why did he have to be so gorgeous? He was too handsome and way too pretty to be paying any attention to her. His golden blond hair rivaled the sun in brilliance and his blue eyes were more dazzling than the most exquisite sapphire. She could easily become lost in his charming veneer if she allowed herself to be. “I supp..suppose,” she stuttered over the word. Lenora cleared her throat and began again. “I suppose that is true.”

  “So?” He lifted a brow. “Will you join me for the next set?”

  She nodded as the strands of a waltz filled the room. Lenora almost groaned when she realized what she’d agreed to. The waltz was the most intimate dances and she’d never danced one with a male other than her cousin. Heck, she’d never danced at all with a male besides her cousin… That didn’t detract from her dilemma. A waltz with the duke would cause a stir and she’d be so close to him… Her hand shook as she placed it in his. “Lead the way, Your Grace.”

  He led her to the floor and then he twirled her into the dance before she had time to change her mind, and she’d been close to doing so. The closer she’d stepped toward the light and the prying gazes of the ton she’d become increasingly more anxious. He’d been wise to take the decision away from her.

  Julian was an amazing dancer, but that shouldn’t have surprised her. Everything about him or that he did seemed to be perfect. “Now,” he began. “This doesn’t seem so bad does it, little one?”

  At least he hadn’t called her a mouse again… “No,” she agreed. It was actually quite exhilarating. Lenora felt as if she was floating on air.

  “I’ve always considered dancing to be too decadent to be done properly in a public forum,” he began. “At least the sort I prefer.”

  She pushed her eyebrows together. “I’m not sure I follow…”

  “I wouldn’t expect you would,” he replied secretively. “One day you might understand. Perhaps you’ll tell me when you do.” The corner of his lip turned upward almost…arrogantly. As if only he really understood the secrets of the world…

  “I suspect, Your Grace, that our paths won’t cross much in the coming years.” The duke might be one of her cousin’s friends, but she fully expected, at some juncture, to live on her own. Once she reached her majoring in a few months she planned to travel. Maybe to Italy… She hadn’t fully decided yet. “We don’t keep the same company and in time the little connections we have will dissipate.”

  “Perhaps,” he agreed. “Time will tell I suppose.” He twirled her around the floor expertly.

  Lenora wouldn’t ever forget this moment. She would unlikely never dance again, at least not like this. She was grateful she’d allowed the duke to convince her to participate. Afterward she’d likely find her way to her favorite corner to hide. In her darkest moments she’d be able to travel back to this waltz and recall it, and Julian fondly. If she believed she had a chance of something more with him… She shook that thought away. Loving him was a terrible idea and perhaps the only thing she regretted. This was a kindness, while out of character for him, but she shouldn’t expect anything else from him.

  The strands of the waltz ended and disappointment filled her. She’d tried to brush his request off at the start and now she never wanted the dance to end. The duke twirled her one last time around the floor and then led her to where their dance had begun. He bowed and kissed her gloved hand. “Thank you for your benevolence, my lady.” His blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “And for being my protector when I need it.”

  She should be thanking him. He had awakened feelings in her she’d believed long buried. Her heart burst with happiness and affection for this man. “You don’t require my protection any more than you needed to dance with me.” She frowned. Lenora still couldn’t discern his motives for insisting on leading her in the waltz. “Either way the dance was lovely. I’m grateful I didn’t insist against it.”

  He laughed lightly and shook his head. “Little mouse you’re always so formal.” Julian bowed again. “The pleasure was all mine.” He glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Pardon me,” he said. “I must attend to something important.” His smile was bright and appeared genuine. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, my lady.” With those words he spun on his heels and headed in the opposite direction.

  Lenora smiled as she watched him wander off. She was starting to believe she had misjudged him. He’d been charming, as expected, but also kind and generous with his time. The duke hadn’t been required to dance with her. No gentleman was. That made his attention all the more precious to her.

  She wandered away from her favorite corner for willingly the first time all evening. Earlier didn’t count because Julian had to coax her away from it. Perhaps she should leave the ballroom and explore t
he gardens. It was starting to become suffocating in the ballroom. Lenora’s happiness was nearly bursting from within her. She hugged herself and twirled around as she made her way down the empty hallway leading to the balcony. There was a small staircase on the balcony that led down to the gardens.

  Voices echoed back to her. Two male voices to be more precise and both were recognizable.

  “Did she dance?” Her cousin asked. Why was Bennett so concerned about her dancing? Why couldn’t he leave her to make her own decisions?

  “Of course she did,” Julian responded. “Do you doubt my ability to charm a woman?” He sounded so…disgusted. Was that because he had to dance with Lenora or because Bennett had doubted his ability? “I can coax any woman to do, well, anything,” he boasted. “But a wallflower? That’s not even a challenge.”

  She’d been jubilant until that moment. Now every amount of joy she’d held inside of her deflated in an instant. He’d appeared so kind earlier… How had she gotten it so wrong?

  “Attention from you should have caught the notice of all the eligible gentleman in the room,” Bennett said. “They’ll want to know why the Duke of Ashley bothered with a wallflower. Soon she’ll have more callers than she wants.”

  She didn’t want any callers… A part of her hated her cousin for insinuating himself into her life this way. Why did he ask his friend to pay attention to her? Did he hate having her live with him that much? She’d thought they were closer than that…

  “I’ve done you this favor,” the duke said. “Don’t ask it of me ever again.” His tone was harsh and unyielding. It stabbed her in her fragile heart. She’d been on the brink of falling in love with him. The Duke of Ashley didn’t deserve her affection. Lenora doubted he was worthy of any woman’s love.

  Tears stung her eyes and slid down her cheek. She brushed them away with a swipe of her fingertips. They wouldn’t help her and they were as useless as her ability to read people. Lenora hardened her heart in that moment. She’d never play the fool again. It was time she learned to weave her way through society without letting another touch her soul again. She’d never be so easily duped again, but she had a lot to learn. There was one person who could teach her and she’d do whatever it took to convince her. That one person was the new Lulia Prescott—the gypsy Duchess of Clare...