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 Well, it s vastly interesting, Tynemouth said, looking about the room.  And a
crushing success.
 Yes, well, we were counting on success. Please, Lady Madeline, let me introduce
you to my husband.
 A pleasure, Lord Bathurst, Madeline curtseyed.
 Intrigued, the earl murmured, his deep blue eyes sparkling behind black lashes.
 Say, old boy, Lord Bronley came up and slapped Lord Bathurst across the
shoulder,  you haven t by any chance seen--ugh, Bronley grunted, shaking his foot as
though someone had trod over it.  I say, hello, Lady Madeline, didn t see your there.
 Good day, Lord Bronley, Madeline grinned, unable to help herself.  I m afraid
toes are bound to get stepped on. This crush is quite something.
 Indeed, he mumbled, looking about the room.
 Lady Madeline, a voice demurred behind her.  So nice to see you here this
afternoon.
Madeline whirled around to see a familiar pair of green eyes looking back at her.
 Lord Stanfield, she said, flushing as he looked her over with his perceptive gaze.  I did
manage to make it.
 And found someone to escort you, how resourceful of you. Tynemouth, Lord
Mistress of the Night Charlotte Featherstone 41
Stanfield nodded, letting his gaze drift from her to her escort.  I say, isn t that Lord
Hastings over there?
 Why, yes, Tynemouth said, craning his neck to see through the crowd.  I
believe you re correct.
 I heard he s the best bet to be our Prime Minister. I understand he s very
influential in the Whig party.
 Indeed? Tynemouth mumbled thoughtfully, studying the elderly lord through
the throng of people.  Lady Madeline, you won t mind if I leave you for a moment? I d
like to say a few words to Hastings.
 Oh, I wouldn t mind.
 Thank you, he mumbled, raising her hand to his mouth.  I shant be long.
 A political hound, Stanfield whispered in her ear.  I ve no doubt it would
become rather tiresome after a time, wouldn t you agree, my lady?
 Yes, she said, bristling at the closeness of him.  I suppose you re correct.
 Lady Madeline, Lord Bathurst drawled,  since you re without an escort, would
you care to take a turn about the room with us?
 Allow me to step in for Tynemouth, Lord Stanfield announced, whisking her
away with a firm grip on her elbow.
* * * *
 Aren t these amazing? Miranda exclaimed as she studied the glass cases.
 Quite, Blaine said, resisting the urge to loosen his cravat. He was bloody hot.
 Wonderful workmanship, Celeste said, admiring a jeweled brooch.  And to
think it was just lying buried in the dirt.
 A harrowing thought, indeed.
 Are you unwell? Celeste asked, watching as he hooked his thumb beneath his
collar and loosened his cravat.
 Fine, he mumbled, straightening the knot in an attempt to look presentable.
 I m going to go stand with Georgiana Longbottom, Miranda announced.
 Fine.
 Would you mind if I went over to the next booth? They have an assortment of
textiles I d like to see.
 Fine, he barked again, struggling with his blasted cravat.
 Blaine are you certain-
 Fine! he bit out, completely frustrated.  I m fine.
Celeste stared at him long and hard before sighing and moving away. Damn it to
hell, he wanted out of there. He was tired of the people, sick of always having to keep an
eye open for a door to escape out of. Damn it, he just wanted to get home and enjoy a
snifter of brandy in peace and quiet.
 I say, old boy, I wondered where you d got to.
 Dev, he said, forgetting about his cravat.  Where have you been?
 Must have missed you in the crowds. Say, you haven t seen Bathurst have you?
We got separated.
 No, he grumbled, studying a jeweled dagger in the case before him.  I haven t.
The dagger was really quite something. Exquisitely carved, with what he thought
Mistress of the Night Charlotte Featherstone 42
resembled Arabic script on the hilt. Lowering himself so that he was eye level with the
case, he studied the dagger, trying to interpret the script, when a pair of arresting and
most disturbing green eyes met his through the opposite side of the glass case.
 Madeline, he said softly, rising to full height.
 Lord Hardcastle, she said, her tone cool and aloof.  Pray, do not let me disturb
you. Her eyes, slightly shadowed with circles, raked over him before she turned and
walked away from him.
He swallowed hard, hating to see the hurt that shone in her eyes. Damn it, why
had he needed to treat her so harshly? Why couldn t he have left well enough alone? He
should have left the ball after his dance with the Billingsworth chit. But, no, he d wanted
to stay and torture himself with visions of Madeline and Tynemouth together, smiling and
dancing and doing everything he wished he could do with her.
He d been so damn jealous, so damn angry that he d deliberately set out to hurt
her--to push her away from him so he didn t have to think of her, to confront his feelings
and accept what she did to him.
 I need to get out of here, he growled to his friend.  Is there an empty room
around? A library? A storage room? A bloody broom closet?
 A closet, did you say? Bronley asked, his eyes dancing mischievously.  Well, I
think I saw something that might be suitable over there.
Blaine watched as Bronley pointed to a door at the opposite end of the room. With
a nod of thanks he left his friend for the safety of solitude.
* * * *
 In here did you say? Madeline asked, pointing to the door.
 Yes, Lord Bronley smiled.  I do believe that s where Bathurst said the ladies
rest area was set up.
 You don t mind, do you?
 Of course not. Please, take all the time you need. There s nothing like a little
privacy to raise ones spirits. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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