Page 8 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel
“Fine. That is acceptable.” She cleared her throat. “I promise not to sendyouto the gallows.”
He nodded, but she saw his lips twitch in amusement as he gestured toward the door. “You go first. I’ll wait a few moments so we’re not seen together.”
“Yes, heaven forbid we should do anything that causes a scandal.” Ellie injected a little acid into her tone. “Good evening, sir.”
His smile made her remember their kiss again, and she bustled out into the corridor to hide her blush. His “Good night, Eleanor,” floated behind her like a ghost.
Chapter Four
“Henri Bonheur” smiled as his unwilling new accomplice closed the door behind her with a distinctly irritated click.
Eleanor Law was everything he’d been hoping for, and more, and his heart pounded against his ribs at the prospect of crossing swords with her again. She was, for want of a better word, invigorating.
He hadn’t planned on kissing her—not tonight, at least—but since the perfect moment had presented itself, he’d seized the opportunity. Fortune favored the brave, after all. Or the brazen, in this case.
The shocked look on her face had been delightful; her expressive features had betrayed first incredulity, then an unexpected flush of desire, and his body hardened at the memory of her soft pink lips beneath his own.
He’d kissed scores of women in his time, for countless reasons, but none who’d been so unsuspecting, nor so innocent. The experience had been deliciously novel, and for the first time in a long time he’d found it hard to remember the plan. The urge to keep on kissing her had been that strong.
He wondered, idly, if he should be worried.
When he’d first arrived in London and started investigating King & Co., it had been because he liked to know the nature of those he was considering working with. Forewarned was forearmed, after all. Whether his accomplices were crooks or honest men made little difference—both were equally predictable—although he steered clear of those with violent tendencies. Knowing someone’s true nature meant he could plan accordingly.
In Charles King he’d expected to find a man with a strong moral code and an even stronger dislike of socializing, but what he’d found instead was three remarkably clever women running a delightfully subversive deception.
Their ruse was one he could thoroughly appreciate. After all, being economical with the truth and lying by omission were things at which he himself excelled. He could only applaud the way they’d twisted society’s expectations and forged their own path.
Tess, the Duchess of Wansford, was undeniably beautiful, but not to his personal taste; he could admire her pleasing features as one might enjoy those of a classical statue. Plus, she seemed entirely devoted to her besotted husband.
The stormy, wilder attractiveness of Dorothea Hamilton hinted at a restless spirit a little too similar to his own, but the instant attraction he’d felt on seeing Eleanor Law had been an unexpected shock.
At first glance she appeared almost plain. Her physical beauty was subtle, as if she was deliberately hiding the full strength of it for fear of drawing unwanted attention, but he was a man accustomed to spotting a single diamond among a mountain of paste.
Ellie reminded him of a Roman coin he’d once foundin a field in Tuscany. It had appeared dull, almost uninspiring, but a quick rub on his shirt had revealed its true nature: glistening, breathtaking gold.
The fact that she clearly possessed brains, as well as a sharp wit and even sharper tongue, gave him a moment of disquiet. He’d never wasted much time thinking about his “ideal” woman, but if hehad, then she had many of the attributes he’d doubtless desire.
Which was foolish. Love at first sight was as much of a myth as the name he’d given her.Lustat first sight, however, certainly existed, and exploring his attraction to her while they worked together for the next few weeks was something he was looking forward to with a great deal of anticipation.
Chapter Five
Ellie found Daisy as soon as she reentered the ballroom.
“Can we go home now?”
The two of them had shared a carriage with Devlin, one of Daisy’s three older brothers, which technically satisfied the need for a chaperone and had the added convenience of him being the most inattentive of companions.
Daisy made a comical pout of displeasure. “But the night is still young!”
“It’s after midnight. I need to send a message to Tess to tell her to meet us at the office first thing tomorrow. Mr. Bullock’s coming at ten o’clock.”
“You managed to convince him he doesn’t need to see Mr. King?”
“Not exactly, but it’s a long story. I’ll explain tomorrow. Can you be there at eight?”
Daisy rolled her eyes in horror. “Eight?You just said Bullock’s not coming until ten. Not even the birds are up at eight o’clock.”
“Someone else is coming at nine, but I need to speak to you and Tess before then.”