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"That can’t happen today," Lady Brompton assured me "After all, we have the extraordinary,to delight us later by playing his violin, while Lavinia can hardly wait to sing to the accompaniment of our dear Mr Merchant"
"Well, you’ll have to ets plenty to drink first," said the lady in yellow, givingher teeth without a moment’s hesitation I automatically smiled just as broadly There, I’d known it! Giordano was nothing but a stupid know-it-all!
Both ladies were acting much more naturally than I’d expected
"Such a difficult balancing act!" sighed Lady Brohtly "Too little wine, and Mr Merchant won’t perfor himself--improper sailors’ ditties My dear, do you know Count Saint-Gerht me down to earth at once, and I instinctively looked around "I was introduced to hi"My foster brother … er, knows hi near the fire in the hearth, talking to a slender young woreen dress They looked as if they’d known each other for a long ti so much that you could see her teeth They were lovely teeth, too, not rotten stuaps in them, which hat Giordano had tried to persuade me all teeth looked like at this period
"Isn’t the count incredible? I could listen to him for hours on end when he tells his tales," said the lady in yellow, after infor me that she was Lady Brompton’s cousin "I particularly enjoy the stories he tells of France!"
"Yes, those spicy stories," said Lady Brompton "Not for the innocent ears of a debutante, of course"
Searching the roo in a corner, talking to two other eless, and as if he had sensed that I was looking at him, he turned his dark eyes on me
The count was dressed like all the other , a frock coat, rather ridiculous knee breeches, and funny buckled shoes But unlike the others, he didn’t look to ht out of some costume drama on film, and for the first time, I realized fully what I’d landed myself in here
His lips curled into a soose bue to raiseideas into his head
"Your foster brother is a very good-looking young man, my dear," said Lady Brompton "Contrary to the rumors we have heard"
I took ain "Yes, you’re right He really is very … good-looking" The lady in green see his cravat with a flirtatious smile Giordano would probably have murderedto him?"
"Lavinia Rutland, the loveliestin London"
"But there’s no need to feel sorry for her," the prio in the arms of the Duke of Lancashire, much to the duchess’s displeasure, and at the sa politicians Is your brother interested in politics?"
"I don’t think they’re talking politics at this precise moment," said Lady Broiven a present to unpack" Once again, she looked Gideon up and down "Well, ruure How delightful to find that ru!" Suddenly a horrified expression crossed her face "Oh, but you have nothing to drink!"
Lady Bro near us, and nudged him in the ribs "Mr Merchant? Make yourself useful, please, and bring us two glasses of Lady Brolass for yourself, too We want to hear you perfor Miss Penelope Gray, Viscount Batten’s ward," said Lady Brohly, Merchant, but she has no dowry to speak of, and you are a fortune-hunter--so I can’t indulgewith you two"