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Staring at hiaze No true excite this was all at his grandreeable to the notion of courting her or Cleo Did he even have a choice? Was he sirand sacrifice to save his fanawed at her and soured the prospect ofhim Viscount or not Social acceptance or not She didn’t want to wed the chap and then endure his lifelong enotten, Lord Tolliver," Cleo promised
"And you, Miss Hadley?" He looked expectantly at Grier, his expression bland and unassu Kind, she supposed For now But years froave a snore the way his friends studied her from just beyond their little circle
They stared openly, as if she were not a lady at all but a creature to be mocked and held to ridicule And not just her Cleo, too
"Indeed," she heard herself replying, fighting down those fairl any her chin, she reenuine lady now "I have not forgotten, either"
"Brilliant" He nodded cheerily
Just then one of his friends leaned his head close to the others in the group Covering his roup burst into laughter
Grier didn’t hear what brought forth such lanced her way Familiar heat crept up her cheeks This really was unendurable Lord Tolliver frowned and sent his friends a castigating look, which only see at her, that the viscount hirit his teeth and bear courting her anyway Holy hellfireIt was really too much Was there no way she could find an acceptable husband without suffering these indignities?
"If you’ll pardon me, I need some air" She quickly turned away before Cleo or Lord Tolliverher
She squeezed her way through the crush of bodies, heat fla a pair of French balcony doors, she saw that it was raining outside An incessant, sleeting winter drizzle that did not appear to be on the verge of letting up Blast
Whirling around, she scanned the hopelessly crowded rooh the thick press, careful to keep her head down lest she see anyone pointing or staring at her She’d had enough of the stares What she needed right noas a respite, auntil her father decided he’d had enough of cards
Tomorrow Tomorrow she would renew her hunt for a husband In earnest But not now Not tonight Not after that bloody prince Not after the viscount’s leering friends
Grier shook her head, al aloud as she wondered: Was there no nobleman who preferred a simple country existence? One as in the market for a rich bride of low birth? Could he not take out an advertiseht find hi roo shadows Sconces lined the walls every few feet, plunging her in and out of darkness as she moved forward
Likely one of these rooms deep within the house wouldn’t be occupied She selected one, pressing her ear to its length before turning the latch Stepping inside, she saas a bedcha the door, she drew closer to that delicious warht curl up on the chaise and enjoy the sanctuary she’d found
Only upon drawing closer did she see that the chaise was already occupied with two figures gilded in the firelight She jerked still, her heart lurching to her throat She asp of horror
The couple flew up on the chaise, tearing apart as if split asunder by lightning
The feown back up over her exposed brsts Grier recognized her at once Feomen possessed a bosom of such immense proportions
"Lady Kirkendale," she aze even drifted to the room’s other occupant, the man responsible for Lady Kirkendale’s state of dishabille, she knehom she would see
He stared back at her, a dark brow arched drolly Nothing in his countenance reflected eain?"
Her eed She crossed her arain"
"This isn’t what it looks like," Lady Kirkendale choked as she shoved her very large brsts back into her bodice "Sevastian, say so," she hissed to her co, merely maintained his cold stare
"Oh, I’unsee of the sordid business she’d interrupted, only wishing to escape the aard situation Backing away froly "I didn’t see anything Please Go about whatever it isyou’re doing"
"Of course, you didn’t see anything We weren’t doing anything," Lady Kirkendale replied shrilly "There’s nothing to see Nothing untoward has occurred" She jabbed a finger threateningly at Grier "And if you dare spread word that--"
"I assure you nothing will be said" Grier nodded, still backing away
The prince chuckled, the sound low and deep He shook his head almost as if he couldn’t believe he was in such a state of circumstances Or perhaps it was Grier He couldn’t believe that she was here That someone like her should even be in the same room with him
"Really, Sevastian" Lady Kirkendale patted her hair feverishly "I don’t see what is so a about any of this"
Inwardly Grier echoed that sentier to hear the prince’s response
"If you’ll pardon me, I’ll leave you to" she floundered, and the bloody old eyes glea it is you’re not doing"
Lady Kirkendale puffed herself up and made a shrill, unattractive sound that rather rese