Thankfully, Mother wasn’t a woman who paid attention to every minute of Portia’s existence. She weaved her way through the crowd, steering clear of the refreshment table where her betrothed was standing, and slipped out into the hall. Technically, she was on her way to the ladies’ retiring room, but she’d make a brief stop at the library first.
Portia pushed open the doors and slipped inside. She glanced around somewhat nervously, making sure there were no lingering figures hiding in dark corners or behind doors or curtains. The last time she had been in a gentleman’s library, a murderer intent on destroying young women in search of harmless adventure had been on the prowl. Lady Scott was dead but the memory of her lived on. It was not a night she’d ever forget.
She shivered as the door opened and shut quickly, and a familiar figure joined her.
Lord Wade’s expression was hard to read, but he was unsmiling, so that gave her a fair indication of his mood tonight. “Haven’t you learned your lesson about slipping away on your own? Especially to a library.”
She grinned up at him. “I knew you’d follow.”
He frowned even more. “Not forever. What do you want tonight?”
Undeterred by his irritation, Portia laughed softly. “I have a favor to ask?”
One brow rose. “What is it this time?”
Portia moved closer to him. “Miss Regina Waters.”
Confusion flickered in his eyes. “I don’t know her.”
“She’s a lovely young lady. Very sweet and gentle.”
Wade crossed his arms over his chest. “You mean she’s another wallflower, hugging her mother’s skirts and drooling for a title, starry eyed at the choices before her.”
Portia scowled. “That isn’t nice to say of anyone, especially someone so new to Town. She does have a dowry, and she’s very pretty. With a little bit of masculine attention, she is sure to shine.”
Wade glanced heavenward. “What do you expect me to do with her? Polish her like a bit of silver?”
“Introductions must be made first, and then you should ask her to dance.” Portia beamed again. It wasn’t too much to ask of any gentleman, really, but she trusted that Miss Waters dancing with Lord Wade would draw lots of attention from the other guests. The right kind would ensure Miss Waters caught the eye of the right people.
He gave her a suspicious side eye. “How am I to accomplish the introduction when I don’t know her or her connections?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Portia told him. “She has an acquaintance with Lady Ettington, as do you.”
Wade began to shake his head. “Impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because I simply cannot do it.”
“But why will you not even ask for an introduction?”
“I’m not exactly on the best of terms with the marchioness,” he admitted. “Ettington is particularly sensitive about his wife, too, so I have kept a distance.”
“But you are spending Christmas with them?”
“A tricky proposition indeed,” he mused. “I had planned to keep out of their way as much as possible.”
His stance relaxed a little, and she forged on. “I’m not asking you to do anything improper with the marchioness, or Miss Waters, either. Just say hello, and chat for a bit, and ask if she knows who the new face in the crowd is. I’m sure she’d be happy to introduce you if you indicated you have an interest. She’ll think you a potential suitor.”
Lord Wade met her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. “No one would believe that.” But he nodded, and she knew she had a chance. “What’s in it for me?”
She balked at his question. “Well, it would make me happy, for one.”
“Not enough of a reason.” He scowled and folded his arms again. “You have other swains here tonight. Beguile one of them to do the job you want done.”
Floored that he’d refuse so absolutely, Portia cast about for a better inducement. She had really liked Miss Waters from the moment they’d met tonight, but Regina was so shy and her aunt was so overpowering—not just in her perfume, either. Portia feared Regina might never have any fun. She’d be married off to the very first man who asked for her hand, no matter if he were sixty!
But what could she give Lord Wade that might tempt him to agree? She’d never needed to do more than ask for a favor before. She probably owed for those past favors, too. She smiled suddenly as the perfect form of payment came to mind. “Would you do it for a kiss?”
Wade laughed harshly and shook his head. “Not a chance. The value of that currency has declined sharply since your engagement.”
“Oh,” she whispered, deflated. She had assumed after their encounter the other day that he’d be as eager as all the other gentlemen who had stolen kisses from her. “Something else, then?”
She had pin money enough on her person to exchange tonight, if need be. It would be extremely awkward to give a gentleman money, though. Lord Wade keeping the proceeds of a wager was one thing. Accepting cold hard coin from a lady was quite another. But he did need money more than anything else. She lifted her reticule, ready to count out what she had.
His eyes narrowed suddenly, and a bitter smile twisted his lips. “Your garter.”
She blinked and the bag slipped from her fingers. “I beg your pardon.”
Wade came closer, his voice lower. “I’m risking my health approaching Lady Ettington. If I do this, I could very well find myself on the receiving end of the marquess’ displeasure again. It is not inconsiderable, let me tell you.”
Portia had not known Lord Wade was at odds with the Ettingtons or she would not have pinned her hopes on him. There was no one else, though, she would dare ask. Every other gentleman she trusted appeared to be keeping a distance. However, enlisting Lady Ettington’s help was the only way to draw Miss Waters from her dark corner tonight.
She would definitely owe him a boon for his efforts. The more personal the better. “Very well.”
His brows shot up. “Very well what?”
“My garter. I’ll show you. Just one, mind you.”
He blinked and took a pace back, glancing down. “For how long?”
Portia considered. “The count of five.”
“Twenty. Do remember, I could end up with a bloody nose.”
She gaped. Lord Wade fainted at the sight of his own blood, unfortunately. “Ten, and not another moment longer.”
“Done,” he said eagerly.
Portia took a few steps away, and then spun about. She caught up one side of her gown and inched it higher as she thrust one leg forward. She stood in that awkward position, her gown bunched higher than could ever be considered ladylike. “Ten, nine…”
Wade exhaled slowly. “And the rest.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I can only see one small part of the garter. All or nothing.”
She rolled her eyes and adjusted the gown so he could see all of her knee and lower leg. She stood there, continuing to count down in low tones until she reached the end. Then she released her gown and smiled. “That was even longer than our bargain.”
“But worth every moment.” Wade sighed. “You’re a determined woman, Portia Hayes, but you will have your wish.”
Portia clapped her gloved hands, knowing the sound would not travel. “I knew I could count on you to help her.”
Lord Wade approached, his eyes lingering on the bottom of her gown. His attention rose slowly until he finally met her gaze. Portia experienced a little thrill at the heated look in his eyes. Many men had looked at her in such a fashion, but for a change, her first instinct was not to back away to safety. She stayed…and couldn’t look away herself.
“I’m helping you this one last time,” he warned, the tip of his tongue flicking out briefly to wet his lips before he continued. “There are limits to my generosity.”
“I know,” she promised, studying the fullness of his lips. A pity he wasn’t interested in kisses. She suddenly wanted to know whether he was
any good at them. Some gentlemen needed practice, some seemed born to sin. “Thank you,” she whispered, inching closer to him.
He gestured to the door suddenly with an angry flick of his hand. “You’d better go back, and make sure no one sees you.”
“I need to point her out to you,” she said, grabbing his arm. “We can go this way and no one will see us. I promise.”
He uttered a small protest but stumbled along behind her. Portia was sure of her path. She’d been to a ball in this house before and had used this route to avoid an unsavory suitor in hot pursuit.
They reached a spot where they could peek at most of the ballroom. Portia scanned the faces, and then found Miss Waters. She pointed her out to Wade, and his eyes widened in surprise.
“Please, Wade,” she whispered, peeking around a curtain. “The girl is a hopeless case. Look at how she’s hiding. She’s been that way all night.”
“Ah yes, that one.” He nodded slowly. “It might look like she’s hiding but her uncle is wider than a house and blocks that whole side of the ballroom.”
Portia hit his arm with her fan rather hard. “You should have mentioned you knew who I was talking about.”
“I’ve not been introduced but any fresh new face is gossiped about. On first glance I had assumed them country bumpkins, newly arrived to Town. A closer inspection when I walked the perimeter to meet you revealed their fashions are first rate, but they looked ill at ease in them. I concluded that the family obviously had money and an important connection in the ton if they are attending this ball. However, it seems they know only a few here so far. It might be their very first night at a London ball. They seem to be gawking at everyone who passes them by.”
She clutched his arm. “That’s what I had concluded, too. You’re the only one who can help her.”
“Only you would ask me to.” Lord Wade glanced her way, and then his lids lowered over his eyes. He had not closed them, but he seemed to be inspecting her gown anew. His attention lingered on her breasts for several heartbeats longer than could ever be proper and her heart rate leapt.
Portia’s nipples hardened under his scrutiny, too, and she considered closing the gap between them to steal a kiss from him even if he didn’t want one. Her cheeks grew warm as he met her eyes again and they stared at each other.
His fingers slid over hers suddenly. His touch was light, and her breath hitched again.
A teasing smile turned up his lips. “Do you really want people to think I’m interested in her?”
“We know the truth,” Portia whispered. “You are just being a helpful gentleman.”
He looked back into the room. “What if I’m not? What if I found I liked her enough to court her? Is that what you want to happen, too?”
Portia stilled, but studied his expression. He’d not spoken in jest. Portia nibbled on the tip of her glove as she remembered his conversation with Lady Windermere. She experienced uneasiness as she studied the distant family. Miss Waters could only benefit from Wade’s introduction, and if more came of it…
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It didn’t feel right anymore. “Obtain an introduction and ask her to dance. That is all you need to do.”
Wade nodded slowly, jaw clenching briefly.
“I have to go back to my mother before she realizes how long I’ve been gone,” Portia murmured, suddenly realizing Wade covered her hand still. She gently extracted herself from his grip. “You won’t forget your promise, will you?”
“After that display of bravery from you, not a chance. However, I just need a few minutes to readjust my mind for the mundane act of dancing.”
Portia frowned. “Why?”
“Your slender leg is far more enticing than Miss Waters could ever be.”
Portia beamed despite the image he painted being scandalous. “That was a sweet thing to say.”
Wade grabbed her shoulders roughly, turned her about, and marched her forcefully toward the distant doorway to the library. “Don’t tempt me to say what I really think.”
Portia slipped inside the room and found it still unoccupied. “I don’t see anyone. Quickly now.”
Wade caught her arm and drew her toward him suddenly.
They stood in the doorway inches apart, and Portia quivered in his grip. She wet her lips. “Mind your manners around the marchioness, and the marquess, too. I wouldn’t like you to be hurt.”
A tiny smile played on his lips, and he nodded. “By the way, I would have been happy just to have known the color of the garter you wore tonight,” he whispered, before he darted around her. He walked backward a few steps, arms spread wide. “The leg was an unexpected treat. I do thank you for the pleasure.”
Before she could smack him with her fan again, he was gone, racing for the far doorway.
Portia followed him, chuckling at his audacity and slipping out into the hall. She would boldly stroll back toward the ballroom as fast as was seemly and, since she had few dances tonight, keep an eye on proceedings.
Lord Montrose was coming toward her parents with a full champagne glass in his hand as she rejoined them.
Her parents were engaged in a vigorous debate over the value of keeping pheasants over rabbits as she returned to them unnoticed. Her father was strenuously opposed to rabbit, refusing to eat it, but mother was highly sick of pheasant and threatened never to serve it again. This was the type of scintillating conversation Portia had endured all her life. Was it any wonder she had agreed to marry so quickly?
She couldn’t wait to escape her parents. They never agreed on anything. It was no wonder that Lord Montrose never stayed very long when he came to call, either.
Portia scanned the boundaries of the ballroom, looking for Miss Waters.
Once she was found, still hugging the shadows of her aunt, Portia looked for Lord Wade and found him not far away. His aunt was at his side, glass in hand as was often the case. He bent low to speak to her but she pushed him away, as if he’d told a rude joke or scolded her.
Lord Wade’s attention flickered to where Miss Waters stood, and he seemed to study the air about her and the guests standing closest to the girl.
Portia discovered then that she was becoming anxious about their meeting. She had once been that shy wallflower, terrified of putting a foot wrong. Lord Wade had been the first gentleman to really try to make her feel she deserved to be here. He’d also asked her if she was as virginal as she appeared. Her outraged reply after a long moment of shocked silence had only made his smile widen. He’d told her then that it would be the question every gentleman she met was dying to know, simply because she possessed so large a dowry.
Wade had truly prepared her for the worst of society. She had been asked the same question in any number of ways, too, but none so boldly or immediately. Gentlemen—titled, wealthy or desperate fortune hunters—had been attempting to lure her away to dark corners to rob her of her virtue ever since.
If Miss Waters could survive a dance with Lord Wade, and his inevitable bold questions, she could do so with anyone.
Wade, despite her annoyance with him in past years, did have a fine eye for good women, especially those in the first all-important season. Portia wondered briefly what he had said to Lady Ettington to have upset her so thoroughly. Had it been that lady’s first season, too?
She would have to ask him another day, because Wade had finally made a move toward speaking with the tiny marchioness, and she couldn’t help but notice his bow was very low indeed. She really needed to find out what he’d done, and soon.
Chapter 15
Julian winced. “I am sorry that I offended you the last time we spoke. I had hoped you might have forgotten, or if not, forgiven me.”
Lady Ettington’s stone-faced stare suggested she had not.
“In my defense, I knew you could not be the least bit right for Lord Louth, although I should not have expressed that sentiment in the manner that I did. Not when Ettington was looking daggers at anyone who admired you
for too long. Anyone with eyes and a mind could see how right you were for each other from the start.”
She scowled even more. “That is a Banbury tale.”
He shook his head. “No. Not at all. Ettington and Louth are friends, and if you had set your cap for Louth, you would have come between them. Trust me, all gentlemen should avoid provoking a territorial fellow like your husband.” He widened his hands. “And I see it has all turned out for the best. You are married, and now he may openly threaten anyone who gets too close to his heart’s desire.”
Her eyes narrowed on him. “You were friends with that atrocious woman, too.”
He sighed. “I did try to warn Miss Scaling that her ambitions involving the marquess were bound for naught. Repeatedly, in fact. She wouldn’t listen.”
“And the pond? You played a role in my dunking.”
“Unwittingly, yes.” He winced again. “Unfortunately, I was distracted that day and made clumsy. I had meant to tap Miss Scaling’s foot to back her up, away from you, and instead I—”
“You tripped me. I fell back into that filthy pond of water and ruined a perfectly lovely day. You both made me look a fool, just as she wanted. I was made sick from the chill I took.”
Wade shook his head. He was in the wrong. Utterly. Completely. Not all of his early matchmaking attempts had been subtle or successfully carried out. He glanced around quickly, noticing they were drawing attention. The Duke of Exeter, her husband’s uncle, was watching him through narrowed eyes. Thankfully her protective husband hadn’t noticed them talking as yet.
Ettington had quickly made his displeasure with him known shortly after the marriage had taken place, but that had been some time ago now. He hoped the man had forgotten he existed. “After the events of that day, I feared there would be worse to come. I only kept the acquaintance, acted as her friend, hoping to learn ahead of time what her plans might have been next. I had not counted on her being more devious than myself.”
The marchioness eyed him with suspicion, and then nodded. “You are forgiven.”
“Thank you.” He smiled quickly in relief. The Marchioness of Ettington had completely won over the ton since that long ago day. Now people came to her for help quite often. “About the favor I asked for…”
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