A Dash of Scandal(50)



“Sorry, old chap, I didn’t hear what you had to say. What was that?”

“You’ve been doing a lot of woolgathering lately, Dunraven. Are you feeling all right?”

“I’ve never felt better. I was just giving serious consideration to your idea of a new mistress.”

Fines gave him a pleased look. “Good. At last we’re getting somewhere. Excellent to hear. I’ll start asking around for you.”

“Fines,” Chandler said in a warning tone, “I can find my own mistress, if you don’t mind.”

“No.” Fines sniffed loudly. “No. I don’t mind at all, but I did hear that—”

“Will you excuse me?” Chandler interrupted. “I see someone I’d like to talk to.”

“Who? I’ll walk with you.” Fines stared in the direction Chandler was looking.

“You know, I don’t mind you joining me, but I think you should know I just saw Miss Pennington walk over to the refreshment table alone.”

“Really?” Fines pulled on the hem of his waistcoat and sniffed again. “Miss Pennington having to get her own cup of punch? Perhaps she’d like someone to help her.”

“That’s probably why she walked over alone.”

Fines smiled at Chandler. “I think I should go over and speak to her.”

“And ask her to dance?”

Fines smiled. “I’m already on the card. Do you suppose there’s room for another name?”

“Doubtful. She’s been here almost an hour. You’d better hurry. I see Viscount Tolby heading her way.”

“I’m off. Should we make plans for breakfast at White’s?” Fines asked walking backward.

“Don’t plan on me. I have some things to check on tomorrow.”

Fines nodded and turned around and was swallowed by the crowd. Chandler talked to several friends, some acquaintances and even had a dance or two before he finally managed to find himself face-to-face with Miss Millicent Blair. She stood with Lord Heathecoute and his lady.

Chandler joined the group but had eyes for no one but Miss Blair. Her buff-white evening gown had three pale pink flounces, and a pink satin ribbon banded the high waist. The round neck was cut low, showing more of her beautiful breasts than he wanted other men to see. He noticed the pearl-drop earrings she wore and remembered taking her dainty lobe into his mouth.

Greetings were quickly dispensed with, and it took only a moment to know that Miss Blair was distancing herself from him fast. Her curtsy was stiff; she wouldn’t look him in the eye and she almost jerked her hand away from his after the perfunctory kiss on the back of her palm.

“Lord Dunraven, a pleasure to see you this evening,” the Viscount said.

“It’s Millicent’s first evening here at Almack’s,” Lady Heathecoute said. “We were so delighted to get the invitation for her to attend.”

“I can’t imagine anyone you suggest would be denied entrance, Viscountess.”

“So kind of you to say, my lord.”

Chandler turned to Miss Blair. “Welcome,” he said and bowed again. “I hope your first evening here meets with your expectations.”

“On all accounts, sir. I’m happy to be here and I’m enjoying myself.”

“Millicent knows it is not the building that makes Almack’s the place to be seen in Town on Wednesdays. It is the people who frequent it that makes it the most important addition to her first Season in London.”

“Of course, you’re right,” Millicent added. “And I do appreciate all you and Lady Beatrice have done in obtaining the invitation for me.”

“I hear you are helping with the search for the Mad Ton Thief,” the viscount said to Chandler, clearly bored with the direction the conversation had taken.

“It’s more that I insist on staying well-informed of the progress that is being made by those on Bow Street and the authorities.”

Lord Heathecoute lifted his chin a little higher, making his sharp nose appear to be pointing straight up. “I heard they have been going door to door, questioning everyone like common criminals. It’s reprehensible the way they are treating all of us as if we are suspects.”

“You forget, Heathecoute, one among us is a criminal, and they are only doing their jobs.”

The viscount continued to demand Chandler’s attention when all he wanted to do was talk to Miss Blair and find out what was wrong with her.

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