A Taste of Desire(67)
It took all of five minutes, in which time she refused three offers of refreshments, and four requests to dance. He was entering the ballroom through the doors leading to the terrace with a drink in his hand. Clad in a black jacket and trousers, and a white waistcoat and cravat, he moved with a sense of purpose in his strides.
She was practically on top of him when he finally noticed her. He could scarcely hide his shock, his mouth moving without the effect of sound. He quickly recovered his speech. “Why, Lady Amelia, what are you doing here? I thought you were in Devon.”
Amelia didn’t give an immediate response, instead she first steered them to a more private spot by the terrace doors. “Why have you not responded to my letters?” she demanded once they were safely out of earshot. There were too many women present who would like nothing better than to see her total ostracism from society. The cuts she’d received since her arrival told her some had not forgotten her last attendance at a ball.
The baron’s eyes widened in what appeared to be genuine surprise. “What letters? I’ve received no letters from you.”
“I’ve sent you three letters since I arrived in Devon. For over a month I’ve been awaiting your response.”
“Lady Amelia, I swear to you, I’ve received none of them.” The baron had a tendency to look away when he lied—as he had when he’d said he would marry her with or without her substantial dowry. His gaze was alarmingly direct.
Amelia was too piqued to find any solace in his assertion. “Would it behoove you to try to contact me? I did tell you I would write upon my father’s departure. As you well know, my father left the country over a month ago.”
Lord Clayborough could offer no response because he hadn’t thought of it. When he could have taken the initiative, he hadn’t done so. Amelia dearly hoped this did not speak of things to come. Now Thomas would have … She broke off the thought, for it didn’t bear completion.
“Well, in the future, you needn’t wait for me to contact you. You know precisely where I am. You own your own conveyance, and public transit is well within your means.” In other words, you can rescue me without an expressed written invitation.
A stricken look flashed across his face. “Yes, of course. I was just under the assumption that we—”
“Well, in the future, do not assume.” She didn’t mean to snap her reply, but she was beginning to draw comparisons between Lord Clayborough and the viscount and the baron was coming up wanting—which just wouldn’t do. Again, she did her best to quell further such thoughts. “But as I am in town, all of that may be a moot point.”
“Begging your pardon, Lady Amelia, but I have left Lord Barnaby waiting for me in the game room. If you’ll give me a moment, I must excuse myself from the game.”
The baron regarded her as if awaiting her permission to depart, which only succeeded in vexing her all the more. Nonetheless, she assented with an irritated nod. Lord Clayborough executed a polite bow and strode off, soon swallowed by the press of the crowd.
Conscious of some disapproving stares from certain matrons of the ton, Amelia stoically started toward the refreshment room. Narrowly focused on her destination, which was conveniently situated next to the game room, Amelia didn’t see the person bearing down on her until it was too late. They collided with unforgiving force. Masculine hands grasped her upper arms to steady her and remained long after she’d established her balance was sound.
“Beg my par—” A glance up caused the words to still in her throat and her heart to give a horrifying thud. Amelia had never seen an emerald burn, but as she viewed the green eyes staring down at her, she imagined it would look exactly like that.
Chapter 17
Thomas didn’t breathe a word; he simply retained a firm hold of Amelia’s arm, and began steering her toward the exit. And sadly, there wasn’t a thing she could do to prevent him from hustling her from the ball like a disobedient charge.
At some point during her unceremonious leave taking, Lord Alex materialized at his friend’s side. He gauged the situation with a single look and then assumed the role of an emissary.
“Now, Armstrong, don’t go getting all—”
With neither a break in his stride nor a glance at Lord Alex, Thomas severed his friend’s efforts to negotiate peace. “This is none of your concern. I will handle the matter as I see fit.” He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Where is Miss Foxworth?”