Page 8 of Hot and Bothered in July
Her father seemed to mull this over for a time. “I believe so. Tell me, do you have plans for this evening? There is an opera we were going to attend, and I know of a few possible contacts that you might be interested in meeting.”
“That would be perfect, my lord. Thank you for your kind consideration.”
Sariah could not believe what she was hearing. Was she truly going to have to share a theatre box withthatman?
She must have made some sort of noise, because her father glanced at her. “I hope my daughter was the sole discretion of propriety yesterday, Mr. Carrington.”
Her focus shifted and clashed with that fiery green gaze. Her heart started to pound because she feared that he would tell her father about the scathing she’d offered, but instead, he said evenly, “She was a model of society, my lord.”
Her father expelled a breath. “I am relieved to hear it.”
Sariah’s focus narrowed, because the cocky grin that appeared on Mr. Carrington’s mouth did not bode well. Something told her that he would make her earn that remark for her father’s behalf. It was the question of paying such a price for silence which made her pulse race traitorously.
It was going to be torture to spend an entire evening in his company while pretending that everything was perfectly normal. Perhaps she could claim an illness and remain behind, but she knew nothing short of a disparaging fever would convince her father to let her stay at home.
God help her.
Chapter Four
Reed checkedhis reflection in the mirror, ensuring that he looked resplendent, but most of all, respectable. Tonight could become profitable—or detrimental, depending on how well he was able to keep his frustration with Miss Sariah Kent in check. He decided that she was capable of testing the patience of saints and he was far from one of those. Worse yet, was how much she also tempted him. She struck a chord with his baser urges, and that was nothing he needed to acknowledge when he was focused on growing the shipping business.
Nevertheless, he had found himself thinking of little else but the vixen from the moment he’d walked into the parlor and saw those amber eyes swing in his direction. Combined with those brilliant, dark locks, it really was a striking combination. If she decided to debase herself and work at one of the local brothels, she could easily gain enough blunt in the first year to secure permanent lodgings for the rest of her days. Men paid handsomely for something of value and she was certainly unique, a prized artifact. Reed just had to keep reminding himself that he had no need for such trinkets.
However, when he arrived at the baron’s household that evening, he found that his carefully practiced speech abruptly burned to ash. He stood in the midst of the foyer and was present the moment she descended the stairs. She was wearing an elegant, blue and white striped silk gown with a feather tucked into her dark curls. Not only did she cause Reed’s heart to cease beating, but she quite literally took his breath away. He had to look away so that he could properly compose himself as she drew near.
“Mr. Carrington,” she greeted coolly.
Ah, yes. The ice queen. “Miss Kent. How lovely to see you again. I trust you are in good health?”
As suspected, the barb hit its mark and she glared at him. “Indeed, sir. I have never been better. Of course, now that I am standing here with you, I do feel a bit nauseated.”
His lips twitched and he had to fight the urge to laugh. He had always appreciated a lady with a rapier wit and Miss Kent possessed those talents in spades. “I am sorry to hear that, of course. Perhaps you might require some fresh air, or better yet, a visit to Bath to test the waters there?”
Her lips tightened. “No doubt you would like another opportunity to humiliate me in a different part of England. That is, unless word has already reached there.”
Damn, but he was enjoying this exchange entirely too much. “I am certain it has. In that regard, you might be better served in Scotland at Loch Ness. I know I would prefer the lengthy distance."
A haughty gasp escaped her lips, but any retort she might have made was erased by the arrival of the baron and his wife. They greeted him politely, and together, expressing a united front, they all left the house and entered their waiting carriage. Reed was seated next to Sariah and he nearly chuckled at the way she moved as far away from him as possible, as though hecarried the plague. He yearned to bedevil her further, but he couldn’t risk antagonizing the baron. Her father’s influence was far too important when it came to Reed’s continued survival. He would not go back to the way things were before he’d teamed up with James, Henry, and Jackson. He’d rather perish first.
The lights of Drury Lane were shining brilliantly as they came to a halt. Men and women of all ages and social status were walking through the doors and while Reed had only ever sat with the rest of the general public in the auditorium, tonight was going to be different. He had been invited to one of the upper boxes that not only had the best view of the stage but also proclaimed loud and proud that these were people of consequence. While he generally abhorred the nobility, he was also aware that they were a necessary evil.
Excitement pulsed through his veins and as they all stepped to the ground. He held his arm out to Miss Kent and she took the offering with some definite prodding from her father’s unspoken glare. As they made their way toward the entrance, Reed leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Surely being around me is not as terrible as you continue to pretend.”
“Trust me, there is no need to act with someone of yourilk,” she returned sourly.
“Hmm. It sounds to me as though someone is in dire need of a strong kiss.”
Her astonished gasp was well worth it as again, she was unable to reply. The assemblage waiting to be seated had become too crowded and she was forced to hold her tongue. However, as soon as she found it safe to do so, she leaned to the side and hissed in a low tone, “It is no wonder that the Belle targeted you in her column. You are truly without scruples or a moral compass. I daresay if you did it only points directly south!”
This time, Reed could not contain his amusement and allowed his laughter to escape. Naturally, this garnered a few curious glances in their direction. The blush that erupted on Miss Kent’s face was icing on the proverbial cake.
“You seem to know a lot about me considering we just met.”
“I know enough,” she returned sourly. “There are hundreds of rakes in society just like you. There is nothing special or remarkable about you in the least.”
Reed didn’t want the words to sting, but they hit their mark. Words from the past rose up to choke him.‘You are nothing but a worthless scoundrel without a single redeeming quality.’
His tutors at school had continuously berated his actions. While some of the rebukes had likely been deserved, he felt as though being so harsh to a young child was also not necessary.
