She was truly a picture to behold and here she was, taunting him. Well, she had come to his residence and so he could not be faulted if he spoke to her…perhaps sought her for a twirl about the dance floor.
It’s practically expected of me.
He gave a smug smirk as he turned, meaning to make his way down the stairs and intercept her. His plan was foiled by his father who was waiting by the landing, conversing with a tall distinguished-looking gentleman with butter-yellow hair, accompanied by an equally upright younger gentleman. He resembled the older gentleman in his sharp cheekbones and alert hazel eyes. They stood the same way, shoulders back, spine straight as if they were soldiers.
Jack lifted an eyebrow. He could have sworn he knew every cove in London, but the younger gentleman was unfamiliar. He had seen the older gentleman confer with his father now and then. He had a vague notion that they might be in business together.
The younger gentleman, sporting a full beard–an oddity all on its own–was listening intently as his father said something to Jack’s father. He was not altogether surprised when the Duke stopped his forward descent in an effort to introduce him to the two gentlemen.
“You know the Earl of Thessawich do you not?” the slight quirk of his father’s eyebrow told him that the only acceptable answer he could give was yes.
“Of course. I remember you from…the gentleman’s boxing club I believe?”
The crease in his father’s brow deepened. “Lord Thessawich is not inclined toward sports of that kind,” he ground out. That was a surprise to Jack. The gentleman looked like the sort to enjoy spectating a sport requiring physical exertion such as pugilism. Perhaps even participated in such a sport in his younger days. He had thought it was a good guess anyway.
“Well, then I must say I am at a loss. I suppose our paths must have crossed in Parliament?”
“Not lately, no. I have been under the weather of late. But yes, you may have seen me there. However, I do recall that both of us were frequent visitors at the Duke of Frashire’s residence last year, although our purposes differed.”
Jack narrowed his eyes.
Is he smirking at me?
It was all he could do not to flush like some gauche boy. How dare this lesser being bring that up?
“This is Lord Thessawich’s son, Hamish Shaw, Viscount of Newenham. He is newly returned from India.” His father interrupted his increasingly murderous thoughts. Finding a smile from somewhere, he moved to greet the younger gentleman.
That would explain the beard.
The gentleman’s hazel eyes twinkled as if he could think of nothing better than befriending Jack. “Very pleased to make your acquaintance.”
Jack bowed, pasting a smile on his face. “Indeed. You must tell me of your travels some time.”
“Why don’t you take him off with you now? Lord Thessawich and I have matters to discuss.”
Just like that, Jack found himself alone with Lord Newenham. He refrained from wrinkling his nose at the scent of spices emanating from the gentleman’s clothes. “Well, this is awkward. My Father is nothing if not blunt.”
Lord Newenham’s mouth quirked in amusement as he continued to consider Jack closely as if trying to figure him out. “I do not mind. Being a stranger here, I barely know anyone.”
Jack began to walk toward the ballroom. “But you must have grown up here?”
“Yes, I did. I only left five years ago, after my Mother’s death.”
“Oh, my condolences, My Lord.” He clapped Lord Newenham familiarly on the back.
The Viscount nodded. “Thank you.”
“Come, let’s get ourselves a drink. Do you play billiards? I think they have a game going in the other room.”
“That would be nice. I am not really one for dancing.”
Jack threw back his head and laughed. “Well, I am sure that will be a huge disappointment to all the young hopefuls wanting to fill their dance cards.”
Lord Newenham smiled. “I suppose they will somehow overcome that disappointment and go on living.”
Jack stared at him in surprise. “So there’s a sense of humor behind the neatly trimmed beard, good to know.”
“Yes, who knew it doesn’t actually leech all the joy out of life?”
Jack gave a surprised bark of laughter before taking him by the arm. “Come and meet my particular friends. I think they’ll like you…”
Hamish found himself back in the ballroom, having tired of the billiards game. He had spent a fairly large amount of time playing the game while in the Far East and so he was quite good at it. Not wanting to humiliate his new acquaintances at the game, he had his work cut out for him, making sure he just lost. It was exhausting.
So he’d given up after two games and thought to come to the ballroom. Perhaps he could lurk in the background like a wallflower and not have to dance with a soul.
That was his plan until he saw her.
He recognized the thick auburn curls at once, the graceful set of her shoulders and even though her eyes were hidden behind a mask, he thought he glimpsed the slightest glimpse of green. He was walking toward her before he could think.
He bowed low as he reached her, and made a leg. “Good evening, My Lady. May I have this dance?”
She seemed to stiffen. Perhaps she recognized him too? His mask was the most rudimentary thing, barely covering his eyes. His dark hair gleaming in the candlelight and his beard would make him stand out for sure.
She gave him a curtsy before putting her hand in his. Uttering not a word, she let him lead her to the dance floor where a foxtrot was just beginning. Her movements were measured and graceful and he stared without shame.
Her luxuriant locks bounced slightly as she moved, the burgundy lace mask about her green eyes making her seem like an unearthly creature walking among them for its own purposes. Perhaps looking for acolytes. If that were so, Hamish was ready to kiss her feet. Or any part of her she liked, he was not exacting about it.
How fanciful of me.
He almost grinned in surprised delight at his own imaginings but remembered himself in time. He had thought that his time in London would be filled with painful memories but he was finding that this creature, whose name he did not know, provided for sufficient distraction. He needed to find his new friend Lord Dargue, so that he could properly introduce them–after the removal of the masks of course.
As they circled each other, he caught her eye and smiled. Her lips twitched as if she meant to smile back but then she looked to the side and away from him. He frowned, wondering why she felt the need to play coy.
Is she already promised elsewhere?
Hamish was surprised to find that he felt sick at the thought. He was already certain that this was the most interested he had ever been in a lady in his life. It would be tremendously disappointing if someone else had already snatched her up. He thought about telling her his name but just then, they whirled away before coming back together.
It was not the best time.
The dance came to an end and they stopped in front of each other. She gave him a curtsy and he returned it with a bow. Picking up her velvet burgundy gown, she glided away toward a group of ladies. He watched her go with a sigh. A hand clapped down on his shoulder and he looked to the side to see Lord Dargue watching him.
“You should forget that one. She is out of your league.”
“Is that so?” Hamish was noncommittal.
“She is the daughter of a Duke.”
Hamish merely lifted an eyebrow. “That is…interesting.”
He could see that Lord Dargue was frustrated with his uninformative answers. The truth was he was hoping to coax a name out of him without asking directly. Unfortunately, Lord Dargue seemed to have given all the information he was willing to give for he walked away just as the announcer declared that it was time for masks to come off.
Hamish reached up and took off his mask, his eyes on the lady. Slowly, she lifted her arms, untied her mask and let
it fall. Her jade-green eyes met his across the dance floor and he sighed, knowing in his heart that she was the one.
He felt a presence at his side and turned to see that it was His Grace, the Duke of Apsdin–his host–watching him with a raised eyebrow.
“You seem preoccupied. Is there something I might help you with?”
“Well, since you asked, if you would be so kind as to introduce me to the lovely young auburn-haired lady across the room I should be most grateful to make her acquaintance.”
His host huffed a laugh but casually searched the opposite side of the room for the lady that fit Hamish’s description. His eyes found her and he sucked in a breath.
Hamish frowned worriedly. “Is anything the matter?”
“Nothing. Are you sure that’s the one you wish to meet, My Lord?”
“Yes Your Grace, if you please.”
His host sighed, much to Hamish’s chagrin before leading him diagonally across the room and coming to a stop before the lady. “My Lady, it is indeed a pleasure to see you again. May I introduce to you, Hamish Shaw, the Viscount of Newenham, newly returned from the Far East?”
The lady shifted her eyes to study him as if she’d never seen him before. Finally, she held out a delicate hand for him to take. He bent over it, kissing the air above it gently before returning it to her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, My Lord.”
“And may I present, Lady Georgiana Spencer,” the Duke of Apsdin said to Hamish.
Hamish made an elegant leg. “A pleasure to meet you My Lady. May I say that in a roomful of daisies you are a rose?”
She blinked, looking startled at his compliment. “Th…thank you, My Lord. That’s very kind of you to say.”
Georgiana wondered why such a frilly remark would have her so aflutter. She could barely keep from clutching her pearls and swooning dead away.
Who is this man?
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Thank you very much!
Also by Scarlett Osborne
Thank you for reading Captive to the Kiss of a Wicked Duke!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read! ♥
Some other stories of mine:
A Guide to the Bed of her Lord
To Desire and Conquer Lady Temptress
Their Lords of Nightly Lust
Undressed to Impress the Duke
A Touch of Sin for the Elusive Duke
Unmasked by the Alluring Duke
***
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Scarlett Osborne
About the Author
Born in the Sunshine State of Florida, but of both British and Nordic descent, Scarlett Osborne grew up reading historical romances from the land of her ancestors. Fascinated with the British society of the 1800s and armed with a wild imagination, she obtained a degree in Creative Writing and immediately started her career as a Regency romance author.
A daydreamer extraordinaire, Scarlett likes to jump in the shoes of her heroines, immersing herself in her own stories, living the adventures that she wished she had experienced as a child. An avid reader and fan of the outdoors, Scarlett spends her free time either reading or going on long horseback rides along with her two sons.
Get lost in a land of enchantment, where adventure and love await around every corner...Scarlett hopes that through her heroes, you too will get to live a whirlwind romance in the Regency era, when fairytales were real and all dreams possible!
Scarlett is part of Cobalt Fairy’s team of authors! Visit cobaltfairy.com for new, bargain and free deals for every dedicated bookworm there is out there!
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