Page 21 of Saving a Scoundrel
Ellie sucked in a deep breath.Enough. Lucius Grisham will never be yours,she told herself sternly.Enough of this silly childhood crush.This would be her year for adventure, and she would not waste another minute of it pining for Lucius Grisham.
She turned, and her elbow bumped into a gentleman standing to her left. “Pardon me!” Ellie said.
“Entirely my fault.” The gentleman smiled down at her. Dark hair framed a handsome face; his dark brown eyes were full of good humor. “I was just coming to greet our host. Lord Hawksridge.” He nodded his head.
“Lord Danvers. Lady Ashby, may I introduce you to Lord Danvers?”
Susanna outstretched her hand in greeting.
“Ah, the one who beat all the boys on Rotten Row last year.” Lord Danvers gave Susanna a wink after releasing her fingers.
“Well, I can’t help it if I have superior horseflesh.” She threw him a saucy smile.
Hawksridge cleared his throat. “And Miss Spencer, Lord Danvers.”
Lord Danvers lifted her outstretched hand to his lips. “A pleasure. You look lovely tonight, Miss Spencer, like a bronze goddess.”
Ellie felt her cheeks heat. What an outrageous compliment. Were all men in London so charming?
“Dinner is served,” the butler intoned.
Lord Danvers held out his elbow. “May I escort you in?”
Ellie nodded, and they followed the other guests into the dining room. Platters laden with thick slices of beef steak, roasted partridges, potato pudding, roasted root vegetables, and what looked to be peach fritters filled the center on the long table. Lord Danvers held out a chair for her and then seated himself to her right. Lucius and Miss Macdougal settled into chairs across the table.
“Evening, Danvers,” Lucius said. “I didn’t know you knew Hawksridge.”
“Evening, Grisham,” Lord Danvers replied. “I am acquainted with Lady Wells. She often asks me to come fill out her numbers.” He turned to Eleanor. “It’s so nice to be boy, girl, boy, girl, don’t you think?”
Ellie nodded. But she did not miss Lucius’s frown as he unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap.
“Have you met Mr. Grisham?” Lord Danvers asked her.
“We are acquainted.” Ellie shot Lucius a grin.
Lord Danvers glanced back and forth between her and Lucius.
“This is my guest this evening, Miss Macdougal, may I introduce Lord Danvers?”
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Macdougal.”
“And you, Lord Danvers.” Miss Macdougal took a large gulp of wine. Then, she turned to Lucius and whispered loudly, “The wine is excellent.”
A footman started forward with the flask of wine, but Lucius waved him away from behind Miss Macdougal’s head. Ellie glanced down the table. Susanna sat next to her mother. She cast Ellie a rather desperate look. Seated next to Susanna was Lord Compton, a man who spoke of nothing but his hounds. Ellie sent Susanna a sympathetic look.
A bowl of soup was set in front of her, and the warm scents of chicken and herbs filled her nose. Ellie took a small spoonful,delicious.
“Miss Spencer, where do you hail from?” Lord Danvers asked.
“I am from Hertfordshire. My father is the vicar in Marbury.”
“I’m not familiar with Hertfordshire. Is it quite bucolic?”
“Indeed. I will admit that London is not making a good impression on me with all this rain turning the streets to mud.”
“Oh, but the entertainments are many. The sun will emerge, and you can ride in the park or visit the gardens at Kew. But, of course, the most fun to be had happens at night.” He winked at her.
“I’m sure nice young ladies like Miss Spencer don’t partake in the kind of fun you are insinuating, Danvers,” Lucius interjected.
