Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
‘And who might that be for?’ Sampson asks, appearing as if from nowhere.
‘You.’ I thrust the champagne into his hand and smile my sincerest smile. ‘There’s a fly over there who should like to see you.’
He looks over his shoulder to the corner, where Lady Dare is floating, sipping, and smiling this way. ‘Or perhaps she should like to buzz around your father.’
I stare at him in disbelief. Why would he say such things, especially in public, especially in the palace? ‘I trust you are being discreet in that regard.’
‘Of course.’ He bows, smiling. ‘I trust you are keeping a safe distance from my sister.’
‘I am,’ I answer confidently, hoping, praying, Sampson did not see me with Taya.
‘So my eyes were playing tricks on me, were they?’
Shit. ‘I assure you, my lord, I have no interest in your sister.’
‘I hope you are a man of your word, Melrose, for I would hate for anyone to find out your father has been paying visits to a certain house in Belmore Square.’
‘You’re blackmailing me?’
‘It’s only blackmail if you’re guilty.’
‘Then it is a very good job I am not, wouldn’t you agree?’ The nerve!
Sampson hums and backs away, and I notice the endless women giving him eyes. I hate to admit it, but I am jealous, but only because he is not being exhausted by the challenge of keeping his control. Good grief, if ever I needed another reason to keep my hands off the enchanting Taya Winters, I just got it.
‘Where’s my drink?’ Taya asks, prompting me to swiftly step away from her and check for Sampson’s whereabouts. He is gone. Thank heavens. I look down at my empty hand. ‘To fetch you a drink might lead to gossip about my intentions.’
She looks at me, confused. ‘What?’
‘Good evening.’ I quickly divert my eyes from hers and hurry away, my exhaustion taking on another level, and because I am an idiot of the highest quality, but a desperate one at that, desperate for some respite from this madness, I approach Mr Hamsley and ask for his permission to dance with Season Five Esther. Anything to convince Sampson that there is no need for blackmail. Of course, Lord Hamsley is most grateful, and Esther, bless her, is most stunned. ‘You look very lovely,’ I say, following the lead of everyone else on the floor dancing the minuet.
‘Um, thank you, I suppose,’ she says, looking like a startled fox who has come face to face with a hound. ‘I know not how to dance, Mr Melrose.’
‘I am not a professional myself, so we should be fine. I grant you permission to stamp on my toes should I be so clumsy to step on yours.’
She chuckles, and it is a sweet sound, but the last thing I want is for Esther to think there is anything more to this dance than a dance. ‘Tell me, Esther, are you fussy?’
‘Excuse me?’
‘Season Five.’
Her cheeks take on a rather vivid shade of crimson. ‘You need not remind me. I am very aware that I am here enduring yet another year of indulgent, narrow-minded humans.’
I baulk, taken aback by her frankness. ‘Why would you not get married and be done with it, then there would be no need for you to endure such atrocities.’
‘I am without the inclination, or looks too it would seem, to dazzle a potential husband.’
For the first time, I look at Esther closely, and for the first time I see her smile. She is not an unsightly lady, not by any means. Perhaps, as I previously thought, a little plain, but she is quite attractive, and she seems to be holding a conversation with me rather well. ‘You are very pretty, Esther, be sure of that fact.’ Her blush increases, and I turn us so we begin working our way down the middle of the grand hall again. ‘I believe our fathers have been plotting,’ I go on.
‘Yes, they have.’
‘And how do you feel about that?’
‘Awful.’
‘Are you saying you’re not attracted to me?’
‘Correct.’
I smirk. ‘Are you blind?’
She laughs lightly, and the sound is sweet. ‘I can see perfectly well, Mr Melrose, which is why I know your interests are directed elsewhere.’
Oh? ‘With whom?’
‘Taya Winters.’
I jolt, shocked, my eyes widening, and I scramble through my mind for the right words to convince Esther she is incorrect. ‘Then perhaps it is a good job I am dancing with you so I may squash that rumour.’
‘Is it a rumour, though, Mr Melrose?’
I eye Esther, my lips pursed, and she smiles, small and knowing. ‘You have too much time on your hands if you are to make assumptions like that based on … what?’ I think it best not to give her an opportunity to answer that, so I quickly go on. ‘So let us inspire the men to come calling, shall we, and then you may dazzle them with smart conversation like you have dazzled me?’ I smile brightly, as does Esther. ‘Now laugh.’