Bargaining With a Rogue, page 4
She chatted with the men, but all of them seemed only focused on themselves. Couldn’t at least one of them make her feel giddy—or at least as though she could become good friends with them after they were married? Apparently, she hadn’t met that man yet.
The next dance paired her with other partners for a brief moment, which was nice since she didn’t have to think up a topic of conversation. Again.
For the first minute, she quite enjoyed herself, mainly because the movements were slower and her sore toes could relax just a bit. As she and Mr. Leslie moved to join another couple, her gaze landed on Nash as he moved from his dance partner to Frances. Immediately, the hairs on the back of her neck rose, and she stiffened. His eyes locked with hers. The worst part was, she couldn’t read his expression. Was he happy to be dancing with her—if only briefly—or was he doing it to taunt?
Finally, she was back with her partner, Mr. Leslie, and she breathed a sigh of relief. However, she couldn’t stop her attention from moving toward Nash and the woman he danced with. Frances wasn’t certain she knew the woman, but she felt sorry for the girl, especially because knowing Nash, he’d use her and then toss her aside like yesterday’s leftovers.
Time passed quickly, and Frances was partnered with Nash again. Holding her breath, she hoped not to inhale his intoxicating...and very seductive, scent. But it didn’t work as she’d wanted.
“Your anger is quite obvious, my precious,” he whispered.
His precious? Inwardly, she seethed. She thought not! “Forgive me,” she said in a low voice, “but I’m not as skilled at performing as you are.”
“Oh, so harsh, my lady.” He grinned.
They traded partners again, and yet she couldn’t relax. Not until that man left the ball, which of course, probably wouldn’t happen soon enough. Now she prayed this particular dance would come to an end.
Frances’ wish was not granted, and she was paired with Nash too soon. This time, they had to hold hands as he walked her down the line. Would this torture ever end?
“So tell me,” he said softly as he rubbed her gloved fingers with his, “have you found a man to marry yet?”
“That, my lord, is none of your concern. I’m sure you’ll read a wedding announcement in the Gazette before the month is over.”
“I’m certain I will.”
How she hated it when he got the last word in. “What about you? Have you found the funds needed to give your sisters a dowry?”
“Not yet, but I haven’t given up searching.”
“Then I wish you good fortune, because you’re going to need it.”
She ended just at the right time, and she was finally paired back with Mr. Leslie. Thankfully, the dance ended soon afterwards, and she didn’t have to talk to—or touch—Nash again.
The next man who had signed her dance card allowed her to sit this dance out. Instead, he fetched her a glass of punch and they chatted with each other. This meant so much more to her, because she actually got to know him a little better without interruptions. Mr. Aaron Hobart was the second son of an Earl, but didn’t have a title, although he had an inheritance. Right away her mind drifted to another earl she knew...but she quickly focused back on the man in front of her.
Mr. Hobart seemed to have better manners than the others she’d danced with tonight, and although he wasn’t outright humorous, he did make her smile. It wasn’t hard to picture him as her husband. At least not yet.
Gradually, Frances’ fears began to ease and she could breathe better. She could now see a light at the end of the dismal tunnel.
NASH COULDN’T TAKE his eyes of Lady Frances. She was absolutely stunning tonight. No longer did she look like Conrad’s younger sister with freckles scattered across her nose, dirty shoes, and a wrinkled dress, as he’d remembered from their youth. Now she resembled a real woman, but not the kind that were easily seduced. Frances was elegant in her red gown. He knew why she dressed this way. She wanted to attract men, which was definitely working. However, Nash was willing to bet that most of these men who danced with her tonight didn’t know how innocent she really was—since Nash had firsthand knowledge of that.
He raised a glass of champagne to his mouth and sipped slowly as his gaze followed her walking slowly around the room with Mr. Hobart. So far, her dance partners had been a boorish lot, but from the sparkle of interest in her eyes, Nash could tell she was going to get to know Mr. Hobart much better.
A twisting knot started in his stomach, and the longer Nash watched the other two, the harder the knot tightened. This would not do at all! He should ask questions about Hobart and discover if this man would be a good fit for Frances. After all, Nash knew what lengths that woman would go through because of her desperation.
He tore his attention from the pair and searched for someone who might know about Hobart. Lord and Lady Campbell stood close by. Nash grinned. Lady Campbell loved to gossip, and during the fox hunt, Lord Campbell enjoyed telling everyone what he’d heard from his wife.
Nash strode toward them and greeted them with a bow. He first started up a conversation about hunting, which at that point, Lady Campbell excused herself and walked away. Finally, when there was a break in the conversation, Nash switched the topic.
“My lord, what do you know about Mr. Aaron Hobart?”
The middle-aged man with a rotund belly raised a brown, bushy eyebrow. “Hobart, you say?”
“Yes, the Earl of Whitehouse’s second son.”
“The earl is a fine man.” Campbell nodded as he linked his fingers together across his wide middle. “Hobart is a good hunter. He takes after his father, you know.”
“I’m sure he does,” Nash chuckled. “Can you tell me why he’s not married yet?”
The other man quickly glanced around them before leaning toward Nash. “From what my wife says, Hobart spends too much time at the gaming tables. Apparently, he’s looking for a wealthy wife and won’t settle for anything less.” The lord did another quick glance. “But if you ask me, he’ll never be sober enough to find the right woman even if she’s naive enough to fall for his charms.”
Nash bunched his hands by his side. Frances was certainly the perfect target for Hobart. Unfortunately, the gambler would have all of her money spent within a year or two. She didn’t deserve a husband like that.
Perhaps he should warn her. Suddenly, an odd emotion filled him. It was if he could feel his friend staring down from Heaven toward Nash, encouraging him not to let Hobart win. Indeed, Nash would be a heel if he didn’t say something to Frances. And yet, she was upset at him. Would she even listen to reason? Nash’s uncle was a prime example that men should not gamble away their money.
When the topic dwindled down, Nash excused himself and made his way through the crowd toward Frances and Hobart. The dance would end soon so he really only had a few minutes to make a comment before the next man claimed a dance from her.
Frances didn’t see him coming, but Hobart did. As Nash passed the two, he nodded to the other man. “Will I see you at White’s tonight again? There’s another big game with high stakes planned this evening.” Nash winked. “And of course, plenty of Bourbon. Just the way you like it.”
“Um...of course.” Hobart’s face flamed a brilliant red.
Nash took a quick peek at Frances. Her cheeks were crimson as well, but it wasn’t embarrassment that lit up her face. Her glare nearly burned right through him. It hurt him to think he’d upset her again, but this particular situation had to happen in order to keep her from falling into the gambler’s clutches.
Without saying another word, Nash continued through the crowd until he found an empty space against the far wall. This would be a perfect place to keep an eye on his sisters, who thankfully, had full dance cards, and to watch Frances to see what other man she might take an interest in.
Two dances later, Frances made her way on the dance floor with Lord Pettingill. Nash didn’t need to ask Lord Campbell about this particular lord. Pettingill was worse of a rake than Nash. Last year, the man tried to seduce one of Nash’s sisters...and he hadn’t even received his title then. Thankfully, Nash stopped the flirtation before the man could ruin Lilly’s reputation. After that, Nash kept his eyes on the man, and the rakehell seduced three other women within a month’s time.
Another little tidbit he learned about Pettingill was that he charmed wealthy women into buying him gifts or paying a debt for him. Strange to think the man would want to seduce Lilly when they were in no way wealthy during that particular time.
As Nash studied Frances’ expression while she danced and chatted with Pettingill, her eyes lit up and she smiled. Dead giveaway that she was thinking about making this man her next conquest. But Nash couldn’t say anything to Frances in front of the other lord. So how could he go about letting her know that Pettingill wasn’t worth her time?
“Oh, Nash.” Lilly grasped his arm, jerking him out of his concentration. “I’m having the most wonderful time. I’m so happy you decided to bring us with you to the ball tonight.”
Nash smiled at his sister. She did look pretty this evening with her lavender gown and her hair done up fancy. But it was the enjoyment on her face that brightened her countenance considerably.
“I’m glad you’re having a good evening. I don’t want to dampen your spirits, but look over there and see who else is at the party.” He motioned his head toward Frances’ direction.
Lilly raised on her tippy-toes to look across the crowd. When she saw Pettingill, she gasped. “Oh, no! That rake is flirting with Lady Frances. We must put a stop to it.” She tugged on his arm. “Nash, you must say something to her.”
“Actually, I think it’s best if she hears it from you, since you were his victim at one time.”
Her eyes widened. “Really? You think that’s wise?”
“I do, but wait until Pettingill leaves before you say anything to Lady Frances.”
Lilly fidgeted next to him as she aimed her glare at the other lord. Nash tried not to grin too wide. Pettingill didn’t deserve a sweet woman like Frances. Nash would like nothing more than to see Pettingill forced to wed a penniless waif because he’d seduced her. That would serve the man right.
“They are done dancing,” Lilly whispered. “I’ll go over and tell her now before her next dance partner comes to claim a dance.”
Nash nodded. He flexed his hands by his side as he watched Frances to see what she’d do when Lilly came to her. Frances’ caring smile lit up her face as she took hold of Lilly’s outstretched hands in greeting. Lilly leaned into Frances and whispered something in her ear. Slowly, the lovely smile on her face disappeared, and by the time Lilly pulled away, a frown had claimed Frances’ face.
Something peculiar squeezed at his heart. His first reaction was to hurry to Frances and take her outside to get away from all of the men who were wrong for her...until he realized he was one of those men. He should be satisfied in knowing he kept her from being snatched by Pettingill. So why was he not satisfied?
Lilly walked away from Nash’s demised friend’s fiancée. Frances’ gaze searched the crowd. Just seconds before it stopped on Nash, he quickly looked away. Would she know he asked Lilly to tell her about Pettingill? If Frances asked, he’d admit to it. There was no shame in confessing to want the best for the duke’s daughter.
“There you are...hiding in the corner.”
A woman’s sultry voice snapped Nash out of his thoughts. Standing in front of him was one of his former mistresses, Lady Livingston—Candace. They’d parted ways as friends, but every so often she reentered his life and tried to sway him to come back. He never did, mainly because he was with a different woman at the time.
Smiling, he took her hand and brought it up to place a kiss on her knuckles. “Lady Livingston, the sight of you takes my breath away.”
Although the words were practiced, he really didn’t believe they were true this time. Candace was a very lovely woman who’d been widowed for five years now. She appeared the same as when he saw her last, still wearing expensive gowns and costly jewelry, but he could honestly say, no longer was she the loveliest woman he’d ever seen. And, it seemed her waist had thickened slightly. Laziness could do that to a person. Why he’d said that she took his breath away, he didn’t know.
Immediately, Frances popped into his mind, making his heart soften. Now she was the woman who literally took his breath away. As quickly as the thought came, he ushered it out. He shouldn’t be having thoughts like this about her.
Candace chuckled in a sensual voice as she slowly pulled her hand away, purposely sliding her fingers against his palm in a suggestive manner. “Oh, Nash. You always say the sweetest things.”
“It’s good to see you. What have you been doing since I saw you last?” he asked.
She wagged her eyebrows. “Trying to replace you, my dear man.”
He widened his eyes in shock. “You’re still trying? Whatever for?”
“Oh, come now, Nash. You know you’re one man that’s not easily forgotten.”
He laughed. No woman had ever told him that. “How interesting that you would think such a thing.”
“Nash, have you forgotten how many times I’ve told you how special you are to me?”
He arched an eyebrow. “If you say so.”
Candace looked away from him and put her focus directly on Lady Frances. He held his breath. Candace must have been watching him long enough to know who he’d been absorbed in since arriving at the ball.
“I see that Lady Frances has captured your interest.”
He swallowed hard. “She has?”
Candace turned her attention back on him and narrowed her gaze. “Don’t play coy with me, my good man. I know you well enough to know when you’ve targeted a fair maiden to be your next seduction.”
He laughed forcefully, mainly because he didn’t want Candace knowing the truth. “You think you can read my mind, eh?”
She patted his arm. “Let me relay a little tidbit I learned from her fiancé, Lord Adam Haddington.”
“Adam?” The surprise rushing through him lifted his voice. “You knew Adam?”
“I knew him quite nicely, in fact.” She wagged her eyebrows.
“While he was engaged to Lady Frances?” Nash would never believe Adam could have cheated in anyway on Frances.
“No. Once they were engaged, he stopped coming around. However, while he courted her, he told me a few things about the duke’s daughter.”
It really was none of his business...so why was Nash so curious? “Like what, exactly?”
Candace released a deep, throaty laugh. “Adam said she had two personalities. He never knew from day-to-day what kind of woman she was going to be.”
Nash scowled. He could hardly believe that. “I’m shocked to hear that, especially since Adam was a good friend of mine and he spoke highly of Lady Frances.”
“Oh, to you he did, but he never did love her. He was only marrying her for her dowry.”
Another pang shot through his chest. That couldn’t be right...could it? Nash’s irritation emerged, and he wanted to throttle his friend—if he was still alive, of course. How could Adam be so cold-hearted? And how could Adam have lied to Nash, his best friend?
Nash licked his dry lips. “As you know, men marrying for ladies’ dowries aren’t that uncommon.”
“Not at all. That’s why Lord Livingston married me.” Candace rubbed the palm of her hand down his chest. “Which brings me to another topic.”
Now what did she want? “Which is?”
“Nash, have we not always been honest with each other?”
Most of the time... “Of course.”
“Then let’s not stop now. In fact, I came here tonight, hoping to find you.”
He eyed her suspiciously. “Why would you do something like that?”
“Because I have a very delicious proposal to offer you.”
Delicious? Apparently, she wanted to be his mistress again. Either that or she learned how to cook and wanted to make him some tasty meal. But he really didn’t believe that. “I cannot wait to hear what it is.”
“Shall I drop by your manor tonight after the ball so we can discuss it?”
He hesitated in answering, only because his sisters didn’t need to see Lady Livingston coming to see him in the dead of night. “Actually, no. I shall come to your townhouse.”
She laughed seductively. “I’m not at my townhouse. I’m in my country estate. You’ve been there, remember?”
“How could I forget?” he said convincingly, and yet, as he searched his memory, he struggled to find the one where he had been with her at the estate.
“I had an All Hallows Eve party there.” She arched an eyebrow. “Now do you remember?”
Inwardly, he sighed. He recalled the day vividly. Many people were invited to her party, and yet she had singled him out to be her next conquest. “Of course, I remember.”
Smiling, she reached up and patted his cheek gently. “I shall see you later, then.”
“Yes, you shall,” he said softly, hoping nobody around them could hear.
She lowered her eyelids and batted her eyelashes at him as she waved her fan. When she walked away, the heavily perfumed aroma that had always clung to her, went with her as she left. Although he already knew his answer to her proposal, curiosity got the better of him, and he wondered if there was more to her offer. And, by chance, did it have anything to do with him being a newly appointed earl?
It wasn’t hard to notice how differently people treated him now that he was an earl. He’d brought his sisters here in hopes that they could catch some man’s eyes, and it surprised him when both sisters had filled up their dance cards. But it also worried him. Men would expect some kind of dowry, which Nash could not provide. Yet. With any luck, Conrad Ramsbury was going to help him look for places he could invest some of his money. Hopefully, his childhood friend wouldn’t let him down. Conrad seemed to find the best stocks and had earned quite a bit of money, himself.
Nash relaxed against the wall again, and searched for Frances on the dance floor. She wasn’t there. Feeling a little panicked, he straightened and glanced through the crowd to find her. She was gone, but her parents were still here.
