Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(19)

Ruby focused her blue eyes upon him again. “Yes, I do. I understand you have also invited Lord Granderson to join you this evening.”

How did she know that? “And?” He had no desire to explain his plans for the evening to Ruby. He was quite sure she would not approve.

“It is not to your normal taste. I know you have sometimes…worked with him in the past, but do you think it wise in this case?”

“I think it is what I want, and Miss Ripon told me that she was willing to do anything I wished, that she wanted to do whatever I liked. And I believe it was upon your advice. Will you change that advice to her now? I am sure if you talked to her and told her the full truth, you would have her running to the hills. Don’t act as if I am luring her to her doom; it was you, not I, who started this. I have never deliberately sought to ruin a woman in my life.”

Ruby studied him carefully. “You sound almost as if you want me to advise her to run. I would have thought you’d be delighted to have such a pretty girl at your beck and call. And I have advised her of far more of your tastes than you might believe. She seemed more curious than frightened.”

“Then why question Lord Granderson?”

“It simply seems a bit much, a bit fast. There is a great distance between having her show you her breasts and introducing another man to share in the fun. And there is the question of his discretion—although I admit I’ve never known Granderson to spread a rumor. It is almost as if you wish to scare her off. Oh my, that is your plan, isn’t it? You want her to refuse, to leave. You are trying to push her further than she will go.”

“Why would I want that? She is pretty and willing. Why would I wish to scare her away?”

Ruby only smiled. “I thought about stopping this, but I think I will leave you to your game. It will be interesting to see which of you backs down first. I do hope you have been honest with Granderson about what you truly desire. It could get messy otherwise.”

“I do not know what you mean, but I am always honest.” Why did he constantly feel that Ruby was one step ahead of him? Hell, she was one step ahead of everyone. It was probably why he’d never tried to proposition her. No man wanted a lover who saw right through him when he was at his most vulnerable.

“I know.” Ruby stood. “I’ll have Simms escort you up and then have Lord Granderson and Miss Ripon brought up in turn.” She walked to the door. “I do hope you know what you’re doing, Lord Colton. Although it will be equally fascinating if you do not.”





Chapter 6


Angela swallowed hard as she followed the porter up the wide stairs. Somehow she’d pictured Colton meeting her at the door and leading her up a quiet stair. Instead, she’d been let in the front door and forced to stand in the open hall, waiting for someone to tell her where to go. Shivers had run up and down her arms with all those men, many of whom she knew, milling about. Why the house was so crowded tonight, she didn’t know, but it had been most uncomfortable. Even in her deep hood, her face hidden, she’d worried about being found out, certain that the men had spent far too long staring at her, trying to see her shadowed face.

Her nerves felt frayed and exposed, her victory at having forced Colton to take this next step long forgotten.

The other night at the ball had been exciting. Yes, she’d been afraid of being discovered, but the sense of freedom and exhilaration had overshadowed everything. When she had gazed into his eyes, nothing else mattered. She had seen his desire, seen the fire that burned in him, and the rest of the world had faded.

And in the park, she’d felt a sense of victory.

That was definitely not the case now. Every step she took made her question herself more. Did she really mean to do this?

She paused and peered down the stair, trying to see beyond the edges of the hood, which hindered her vision. Ruby stood just outside the door to the parlor but did not glance up to meet her gaze. Perhaps that was the problem this evening: Every other time Angela had met with Ruby, the madame made her feel that she had hope. Tonight, she had seen doubt. There had been a strange expression on Ruby’s face. She’d sensed that Ruby wanted to say something, to give her some warning, but Ruby had stayed silent.

What would happen if she just turned and ran?

Nothing.

Nobody would stop her. They might question why the crazy woman in the cloak was running, but nobody would ever know it had been her—and Ruby would certainly never tell.

She looked up the stairs.

Fear would not rule her.

Two more steps and she would be at the top.

She glanced down one more time. Ruby was still not meeting her eyes.

Turning back, she plowed into a masculine chest. Her hood slipped and she grabbed for it just in time.

“Watch out. You should look where you are going.”

She knew that voice: Lord Thorton.

What was he doing here? Well, she knew what he was doing here, but he didn’t seem the type. He always seemed so proper. She’d actually vaguely considered him as a possible husband. Granted, she’d considered most currently unwed men as possible husbands. And while he was not the most attractive of men, neither was he ugly, and he’d always treated her with utmost courtesy. “Do pardon me.”

He stopped beside her, his eyes searching. She should have deepened her voice, but she had not considered her disguise beyond the hood that kept her face so fully in shadow. It had never occurred to her that she would need to talk to anyone other than Colton and Ruby.