“Yes,” she said firmly. “The person who accompanied me. ”
“Ah. ” He sank into the chair opposite her anyway. “You wouldn’t deprive a cripple of a moment of rest, would you? Even though I couldn’t indulge in the riotous dancing I find my leg is paining me damnably. ”
“You’re hardly a cripple,” she said, not interested in playing his games.
He ignored her statement. “So tell me, my child, are you awaiting a man or a woman? Who brought you to this party, because I’m certain you wouldn’t have come on your own. ”
Author: Anne Stuart
“I was invited, my lord. ”
“Of course you were. I saw to it. ”
He’d managed to surprise her. She’d suspected as much, but not that he’d admit it. “Why?”
His smile was secretive. “I’ll tell you when you answer my question. Who brought you here, a man or a woman?”
“Why should it matter?”
“Because if you came with another man I’d have to have him killed. ” The words were spoken with the lightest touch, accompanied by a faint smile, and she wondered why she wanted to shiver.
“I believe the crown frowns on dueling. ”
“Oh, I rarely duel. I’m not light enough on my feet. I’d have him set upon by Mohocks and stabbed. It would be expensive, but, fortunately, easy enough to arrange. ”
“Really? If I gave you a name could you see to it?”
“I believe Christopher St. John is no longer in England, or I’d be more than happy to have him killed for you. ”
She froze. She should have known he’d be aware of all the intimate details of her fall from grace and the man who engineered it. “Too bad,” she said calmly. “That would have suited my amour propre very well. ”
“Who brought you?” There was steel in his persistent question beneath the pleasant smile, and she was tempted to lie, just to see what would happen.
“My dearest friend Jane and I came together. We thought no one would recognize us in our dominos and masks, and Jane is about to be trapped into an unpleasant marriage. She wanted to enjoy herself before that happened. ”
“I knew you the instant I saw you, Lady Miranda. But, pray tell me, isn’t that how you got into such trouble in the first place? Indulging in one last evening of harmless fun?”
She looked at him. “How is that you’re so intimately aware of the details of my downfall?”
“The entire ton knows the details of your downfall, child. Could you doubt it?”
“A gentleman wouldn’t mention that. ”
“I’m not particularly a gentleman. ”
She didn’t bother arguing. “If Jane causes a scandal and her husband-to-be cries off then it would be all to the good. She’d be better living life as a spinster than marrying someone she doesn’t love. ”
“You’re still so young,” he murmured fondly. “Tell me this man’s name and I’ll get rid of him. ”
“Why are you so bloodthirsty tonight?”
“I wasn’t going to have him killed, Miranda. ” This time his voice faintly caressed her name without the title. “I was just going to throw a roadblock in the way of this marriage, since you seem so set against it. ”
“Jane thinks she wants it. ”
“And you think Jane’s wrong. I trust your judgment. What’s his name?”
She finally laughed. He was being absurd and charming, and he hadn’t forgotten her after all. “George Bothwell, but you’re not to do anything about it. Jane would never forgive me. ”