The Irresistible Rogue (Playful Brides #4)(18)

The baron inclined his head toward Rafe who stood near the far wall talking to Aunt Willie. “Your aunt seems to be particularly taken with Captain Cavendish.”

Daphne turned her head to look. It was true. Aunt Willie appeared to be happily chatting with the rogue. Leave it to the old matron to be sidling up to the wrong gentleman. Had Aunt Willie’s eyesight begun to fail her? Couldn’t she see her niece over here with Lord Fitzwell? At any rate, her hearing seemed to be fine and she’d certainly heard that Rafe was an army captain and Lord Fitzwell, a baron. Daphne had nearly gasped when Aunt Willie had pointed out the wrong man in the drawing room earlier. It was so like Aunt Willie to say the wrong thing, loudly. Daphne hadn’t had a chance to correct the older woman. She’d have to do so later.

“I can’t imagine why,” Daphne mumbled, turning her attention back to Lord Fitzwell.

“What’s that?” Lord Fitzwell asked, stooping a bit to better hear her.

“Oh, nothing.” Daphne turned up her face and gave Lord Fitzwell a bright smile. Enough talking about Rafe Cavendish. He’d come here today and insulted her, extorted her, threatened her, and finally got her to agree to his imperious commands. He’d also apparently talked Julian into going along with his scheme, but there was nothing at all in their agreement that said that she must pretend to like him. Or even had to be friendly with him. In fact, she would simply ignore him. Much more effective than arguing with him.

Daphne tipped back her head to glance up at the baron. He might have been a bit stiff and he had the tendency to stare above her head, but perhaps he was only concentrating on walking and she was not tall, after all. Regardless, she needed to begin a decent conversation.

“Are you enjoying yourself, my lord?”

“Why, yes. I am. I had no idea his grace would be here, nor the future Earl of Upton. This is quite a party.”

Daphne frowned. What if it had only been her, her brother and sister-in-law, and her mother? Were they enough to impress Lord Fitzwell? Oh, what did it matter? He was as close to perfect as she was going to get. He met all of her standards. And everyone in this town cared about rank and social status. Well, everyone, except … Rafe. Rafe didn’t seem to care a fig about social standing. In fact, he seemed to consider it a detriment.

No! No more thinking about Rafe.

Lord Fitzwell turned just then and Daphne realized he’d been tapped on the shoulder. She swiveled to see Rafe standing behind them, his irascible grin on his face.

“Yes?” Lord Fitzwell said, obviously confused.

“May I?” Rafe asked.

“May you what?” Daphne glared at him.

“May I cut in?” Rafe asked.

Daphne clutched at Lord Fitzwell’s arm. “We’re not dancing, Captain Cavendish. We’re merely taking a turn about the room. There is no precedent for cutting in on such a pastime.”

“I’m willing to be the first.” Rafe’s grin didn’t falter. He blinked at Lord Fitzwell, clearly awaiting the man’s answer.

“Well, I—I never—” Lord Fitzwell glanced at Daphne.

“There’s a first time for everything, my lord,” Rafe said. “I expect you’ll make a full recovery.” He didn’t wait for an official yes, just smoothly slid into place next to Daphne and pulled her hand onto his arm. They were off before Daphne had a chance to say a word, leaving Lord Fitzwell standing there with his mouth open.

They’d barely got to the opposite side of the room when Daphne turned her head sharply toward Rafe. “Are you proud of yourself?” she asked, resisting the urge to grind her short heel into his instep.

“A bit.” Rafe’s grin was unrepentantly wicked.

“Why would you do that?”

“What? Were you having such a good time with Lord Fitzbore?”

She clenched her teeth. “You know perfectly well his name is not Fitzbore.”

Rafe didn’t miss a step. “It might as well be. He didn’t even look at you the entire time you were speaking. He can’t have been good company.”

Daphne clamped her mouth shut. Rafe’s point hit home, but even more annoying, he was looking straight at her, despite his being head and shoulders taller than she.

“What do you know about it?” she shot back.

There went that arched brow. “Quite a lot, actually. I’ve been told I’m charming.”

“Really? Who has told you you’re charming?”

“Your aunt and your cousin for two and that’s just within the last few hours.”

“Aunt Willie and Delilah told you that?”

“Among other things.”

“Like what?”

“Like Delilah told me she’s considering faking a case of the plague to keep you from engaging yourself to Lord Fitzbore and your aunt informs me that I’m one of the best-looking young gentlemen she’s ever seen.”

Her mouth open, Daphne stopped walking and put a hand on her hip. “Aunt Willie said that?”

“Most assuredly. Would you like me to call her over and ask her to repeat her words to you?”

Daphne turned away from him and continued walking again. “Oh, shut up.”

“I must admit, I’m a bit worried for my virtue around her. She mentioned that she’d like to pinch me.”