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“A pleasure,” Hunt murmured, with a bow
Even though his lint in his eyes that ie flutter just beneath Annabelle’s ribs Without knohy, she shrank back into the shelter of her young brother’s arm even as she nodded to hiaze fronition had passed between them…not as if they had met before…but as if they had come close several times until finally an ie fancy, but one she couldn’t seem to dismiss Unnerved, she remained a helpless captive of his intent stare, until her cheeks were infused with hot, unwelcome color
Hunt spoke to Jeremy, even as he continued to stare at Annabelle “May I accompany you into the rotunda?”
A moment of aard silence ensued before Jeremy replied, with studied nonchalance, “Thank you, but we’ve decided not to see the show”
One of Hunt’s dark brows arched “Are you certain? It proaze ns that betrayed their discomfort His voice softened as he spoke to Jeremy “No doubt there’s a rule that one should never discuss these …is it possible, young Jereht unaware by the increase in ticket prices? If so, I would be happy to advance you the extra coins—”
“No, thank you,” Annabelle said quickly, her elbow digging hard into her brother’s side
Wincing, Jeremy stared up into the man’s unreadable face “I appreciate the offer, Mr Hunt, but —”
“I don’t want to see the show,” Annabelle interrupted coolly “I’ve heard that so to women I would much prefer a peaceful walk in the park”
Hunt looked back at her, his deep-set eyes containing a gleam of mockery “Are you so timid, Miss Peyton?”
Annoyed by the subtle challenge, Annabelle took Jereed insistently “It’s tier, as I’m certain that he wishes to see the show—”
“I’ravely, “if you do not attend also” He gave Jerelance “I should hate for a s to deprive you and your sister of an afternoon’s entertainment”
Sensing that her brother eakening, Annabelle whispered sharply in his ear, “Don’t you dare let him pay for our tickets, Jeremy!”
Ignoring her, Jeremy replied candidly to Hunt “Sir, if I did accept your offer of a loan, I’m not certain when I would be able to reimburse you”
Annabelle closed her eyes and let out a faint, roan She tried so desperately never to let anyone know of their straitened circu was so dear was more than she could bear
“There’s no hurry,” she heard Hunt say easily “Come by my father’s shop on your next visit from school and leave the money with him”
“All right then,” Jeremy said with patent satisfaction, and they shook hands on the deal “Thank you, Mr Hunt”
“Jerean, in a soft but murderous tone
“Wait right there,” Hunt said over his shoulder, already striding to the ticket stand
“Jere it is to take lared into her brother’s unrepentant face “Oh, how could you? It’s not proper— and the thought of being indebted to that kind of man is intolerable!”
“What kind of man?” her brother countered innocently “I told you, he’s a capital…oh, I suppose you mean because he’s of a lower class” A rueful sainst him, especially when he’s so filthy rich And it’s not as if you and I are actuallyon the lower branches of the tree, which means—”
“How can a butcher’s son be filthy rich?” Annabelle asked “Unless the population of London is consu far more beef and bacon than I’m currently aware of, there is only so arner”
“I never said that he worked in his father’s shop,” Jeremy informed her in a superior tone “I only said that I met him there He’s an entrepreneur”
“You mean a financial speculator?” Annabelle frowned In a society that considered it vulgar ever to speak or think aboutmore ill-bred than a
“A bit more than that,” her brother said “But I suppose it doesn’t ot, since he’s born of mere peasant stock”
Hearing the criticisave hilance “You sound positively democratic, Jere snobbish—I would object if a duke tried to give us ticket money, just as I would with a professional man”
“But not nearly as hed at her expression
Si thehtly “All taken care of Shall we go in now?”
Annabelle moved forward jerkily in response to her brother’s discreet prodding “Please do not feel obligated to accoracious, but there was so her nerves He did not strike her as a trustworthy ant clothes and polished appearance, he didn’t seem quite civilized He was the kind of man that a well-bred woman would never want to be alone with And her perception of hi at all to do with social position—it was an innate awareness of a full-blooded physicality and a ether alien to her “I’m certain,” she continued uneasily, “that you’ll want to rejoin your companions”
Her co of broad shoulders “In this crowd, I’d never find them”
Annabelle could have argued by pointing out that as one of the tallest men in the audience, Hunt could probably locate his friends without difficulty However, it was obvious that debating with him would be pointless She would have to watch the panorama shoith Simon Hunt at her side—she had no choice As she saw Jeremy’s excitement, however, some of Annabelle’s wary resentain
“Forgive me I didn’t ated to strangers”
Hunt shot her a perceptive glance that was disconcertingly thorough despite its briefness “A sentih the crowd “However, there is no obligation in this case And we’re not precisely strangers—your family has patronized my family’s business for years”