Page 13 of Arcane Entanglement

There was a glint in Ophelia Miller’s eyes and a certain set to her jawline that looked strangely familiar. He smiled when he recognised who she reminded him of.

“Lady Hartley and I are good friends.” He paused. “I believe the pair of you should get to know one another.”

It was Miss Miller’s turn to look astonished. “You do?”

Evander’s smile widened. “I think you may find that you have certain…things in common.”

“Oh.” Miss Miller blinked. Faint lines wrinkled her delicate brow. “I thought you were deliberately avoiding the marriage mart, your Grace.”

Evander tensed a little. “I am, Miss Miller.”

Miss Miller pursed her lips. “Then you should avoid flashing that smile at impressionable young ladies like myself. It is bad for our hearts, your Grace.”

Evander couldn’t help burst out laughing, the sound shocking Miss Miller as much as it seemed Ginny and the rest of the aristocrats who witnessed it.

Miss Miller recovered, giving Evander further grounds to believe she was not quite the innocent damsel she pretended to be.

“That laughter isn’t any better, your Grace.”

Evander chuckled at her chastising tone. “You and Ginny will most certainly hit it off. I pray you heed my advice.” He glanced around the ballroom before fixing his dance partner with a steady stare. “I apologise if this comes across as bold, but I daresay you may discover that there is more to life than this farce of a marriage mart.”

Miss Miller’s expression turned thoughtful.

“You are an interesting man, your Grace.”

“Pray, do not lose your heart to me, Miss Miller,” Evander teased, his mouth curving. “Or else my dear friend Lady Hartley will most definitely have my guts for garters.”

Miss Miller sighed. “There’s that lethal smile again, your Grace.”

The dance finished all too soon and Evander returned a reluctant Miss Miller to her near apoplectic chaperone. Ginny lifted a pair of drinks from a footman’s tray and whisked him towards the French windows before her archenemy could launch into a diatribe.

They stepped out into the cool evening air, the terrace empty but for the two of them. A muffled giggle came from the direction of the gardens as they rested against the stone balustrade.

Whoever was out there was likely engaged in an activity more interesting than eavesdropping.

“What was that about?” Ginny took a sip of her drink, her curious gaze on Evander’s face.

“Nothing much.” He turned and looked at the couples swirling around the ballroom. To his utter lack of surprise, Miss Miller had already found another partner. “Let’s just say Ophelia Miller is a much more fascinating young lady than she appears to be at first glance.”

Ginny raised an eyebrow. “Fascinating enough for you to develop an attraction for the fairer sex?”

“Gods no,” Evander protested. He faltered. “I hope you don’t mind, but I advised her to get in touch with you. I believe the two of you could become friends.”

Ginny’s mouth flattened to a thin line.

Her reputation precluded many close friendships in London high society. Bar Lady Ashbrooke and a handful of mutual acquaintances who knew better than to judge her from appearances, she didn’t have many female companions she could confide in.

“You have a nasty habit of sticking that pretty nose of yours where it doesn’t belong, your Grace,” Ginny said sourly.

Evander’s lips twitched. “You think my nose is pretty?”

Ginny rolled her eyes. “You are a delight from the top of your head to your toes. If it weren’t for your interest in lovers, I would have gobbled you up years ago.” She propped her back against the ledge and stared at him shrewdly over the rim of her glass. “So, how long has it been since you’ve had a nice, thick cock inside you?”

Evander almost spat out the mouthful of champagne he’d just taken. “Jesus, Ginny!” He looked around warily.

“Relax,” Ginny drawled. “The only one who heard us is that stone cherub over there. His mouth has failed to round in horror and his eyes have yet to fall out of his head.” Concern clouded her face. “Seriously though, you look like you could do with blowing off some steam.”

Chapter7