Page 10 of Saving a Scoundrel
He pushed away from the wall and walked over to Comstock and Danvers. “Care to go play some cards, gentlemen?”
“Can’t.” Danvers shook his head. “I promised to stay in the ballroom and keep an eye on my sister.”
“You have a sister?” Lucius asked.
“Sure I do.” Danvers coughed into his hand. “Don’t look so surprised. We all have our crosses to bear.”
Good Lord. Danvers had a sister? The man was a terrible hedonist. Lucius never pictured him having a family at all, to be perfectly honest. He had been to many a debauched party at Danvers’s house. Did Danvers keep his sister locked in the attic?
“There she is.” Danvers pointed to the dance floor. “Dancing with young Mr. Harlow.”
Next to him, Comstock squinted comically. “Good God man, your sister is a prime article.”
Danvers drained his glass of wine. “Yeah, she’s going to be a lot of trouble.”
Lucius laughed at his friend’s pained expression.
Another friend of theirs, Quincy, strolled up. “Who is everyone looking at?”
“Danvers’s sister.” Comstock pointed.
Quincy’s eyes widened. “Hey, she’s a beauty.”
Danvers frowned. “All of you, stay away from her. Stop staring, you idiots.”
Quincy held up his hands. “All right. No matter, there’s plenty of nubile young things to look at this season.”
“Yes, look at that one, Morton’s daughter; she got a plump set on display.” Comstock leered like the filthy bugger he was.
“Naw, too small. I like them bigger than that,” Quincy said.
Danvers shook his head. “I don’t care much what size as long as she has enough ass to get a firm grip.” He made a thrusting motion with his hips.
Lucius ignored the lurid conversation. He scanned the opposite side of the room again, searching for a yellow dress. There was another break in the music during the change in sets. There she was, standing even farther back against the wall as though she was trying to blend into the background. Her face was drawn, and her eyes were wide as they darted around the room. Susanna approached her, and he could see Ellie shake her head at whatever her friend said. Then Susanna was claimed by her dance partner.
Lucius strolled around the edge of the room. He grabbed another glass of wine from a passing footman. Keeping an eye on Ellie, he made his way through the throng of people. He saw Hawksridge speaking ardently with some people and nodded to him in passing. Bloody nob, wasn’t he supposed to be dancing with Eleanor?Aren’t you?his conscience taunted. He lost sight of her as he rounded the south end of the dance floor.
Approaching the far side, he couldn’t find her. Then a flash of her yellow dress caught his eye, and he spotted her slip through the French doors to the veranda. Damnit, where was she going? As he moved to follow her, a gloved hand snaked around his forearm. “Darling, there you are. I’ve finally managed to rid myself of Pierson. Let’s dance.” Rosemary’s lips curled up into a seductive smile as he turned to face her.
He glanced over his shoulder. “I can’t right now. I’m just heading out for some fresh air.”
“I’ll join you.”
“No. Truth be told, I’m on the hunt to find a very drunk Hart before he gets into too much trouble.” He patted her arm. “I’ll find you a little later.”
Rosemary’s fingers bit into his arm. “Don’t you think I’m more important than a drunk duke? After all I’ve done for you, I think I deserve your attention when I want it.”
Lucius gave her a stern look and unhooked her hand from his sleeve. Rosemary was becoming far too possessive. Maybe it was time to move on. “You should find your husband, my lady. Perhaps he requires your attention.” He turned on his heel and stalked away. He would deal with her later.
Chapter Seven
“Eleanor, what areyou doing out here by yourself?” Lucius’s deep voice came from behind her.
Ellie let out a sigh of relief. She had heard the crunch of pea gravel as someone walked near and feared she had made a terribly rash decision by coming outside. She straightened her spine. “I just needed some air.”
Lucius slid next to her on the stone bench.
“And before you say it, I know. I am doing exactly what I’ve warned Susanna never to do, be out alone in a dark garden.”
