My Wicked Little Lies. Victoria Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ was not the least bit amusing.”

      “It was most amusing.”

      She sniffed. “Perhaps if you had named any woman other than Lady Dunwell, there might have been some humor in it.”

      “That was the best part.” He accepted two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed her one. “You deserved it.”

      She raised a brow. “Because I was not paying attention to your every word?”

      “Absolutely.”

      “You are an arrogant man, my lord.”

      “Confident.” He grinned, then sobered. “You are preoccupied tonight and you are never preoccupied. I don’t like it. It’s disturbing.”

      “My apologies for disturbing you.”

      “I didn’t mean it like that.” He frowned. “But this isn’t like you, and I confess I am a bit worried.”

      Her tone softened. “I’m certain it’s the weather, Adrian. It’s endless and dreary and spring is never going to come.”

      “Spring will come.” His tone was matter-of-fact but his gaze searched hers. “It always does.”

      She smiled into eyes shadowed with concern. The man was most perceptive and he knew her entirely too well. She was a fool to think she could hide anything from him. Still, at the moment, it couldn’t be helped. And it was time she stopped feeling pitiful and confronted the task at hand. The sooner she accomplished what was required of her, the sooner she could put the past firmly behind her forever. And banish that look of worry in her husband’s eyes.

      “You’re right, of course. Although I do wish there were some way to hurry it along.”

      “The druids held rites to hurry spring.” Adrian sipped his champagne. “Under the stars. Naked, I believe.”

      She stared at him. “That’s nonsense.”

      “Not at all. The druids had all sorts of rites.”

      She scoffed. “Not naked.”

      “Not that we know.” He shrugged. “However, there is little of accuracy known about the ancient peoples who once inhabited this land.” He gazed over the ballroom as if he were looking into the long-distant past. “I like to think most of their ritual dances were undertaken without clothes.”

      “Adrian!”

      “You would have made an excellent druid.”

      “Not in this weather,” she murmured.

      “Especially in this weather,” he said firmly. “It wouldn’t be worth it otherwise.” He studied her in a thoughtful manner. “Perhaps, given how the weather has affected you of late, you should try it.”

      She raised a brow. “You’re suggesting I dance naked under the stars? In London?”

      “It is something to consider.” He thought for a moment. “Admittedly, it might prove awkward with the neighbors, but I do know I would appreciate it. Although, on the roof ...”

      “You are the most proper man I know, Adrian.” She shook her head in a mournful manner. “And yet you have a decidedly wicked streak.”

      He cast her a most wicked smile.

      She heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I like it.”

      He sipped his wine. “I know.”

      She laughed. No, it would always be as wonderful between them as it was right now. She would make certain of it. As soon as she laid the past to rest. Still, as much as she was eager to find Dunwell’s library, patience being a virtue she needed to cultivate, she couldn’t appear too eager to leave her husband’s side. They had barely arrived and there would be more than enough time to slip away later.

      “Now then.” She plucked his glass from his hand and passed his glass and hers to a waiter. “I should very much like to be swept off my feet again.”

      “Here? In front of everyone?” He shook his head. “That would be most improper. And I do think our hosts would object.” He paused. “If we were discovered. If not ...”

      She laughed. “I was speaking of another dance, darling, and you well know it.” She took his arm and led him back to the dance floor. He took her hand in his and she leaned close and spoke softly into his ear. “But later, I shall sweep you off your feet.”

      His brow rose. “And you claim I am the one with the wicked streak.”

      “We are well matched.”

      They danced two more sets, and while Evelyn now paid attention to every word her husband said, she also took the opportunity to study the ballroom. She’d been here once before but had no idea where the library was. In the past, she would have been provided with the plans for the house. No matter. It was simple enough to ask a servant for directions. Such a query wouldn’t be considered unusual. Not that a servant would question a guest under any circumstances. But it was not at all uncommon, at a gathering of this size, for guests to wander from the ballroom, out of curiosity or in search of a moment of privacy or for a prearranged meeting for one purpose or another. If discovered, she would simply explain she was curious to see Lord Dunwell’s collection as she had been told it was quite exceptional. Not that she knew what his lordship collected or indeed if he collected anything at all, but most gentlemen of her acquaintance did so. Why, even Adrian had a small but valuable collection of ancient Greek coins.

      “Isn’t that your cousin Portia?” she asked when the second dance drew to a close. She nodded toward the far side of the room. Portia’s parents had died when she was very young and she’d been taken in by the Hadley-Attwaters. Adrian’s mother considered Portia every bit as much her child as she did Adrian, his brothers, and his sisters.

      Adrian nodded. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised. No doubt Mother is here somewhere as well.” He chuckled. “She does not give up easily.”

      He took her arm and they headed toward his cousin. Lady Waterston’s determination to see each of her children happily wed was an ongoing topic of discussion within the family and most amusing to those siblings who were already married. The dowager countess had a list of who should be wed next and she concentrated her matchmaking efforts on that unfortunate child. Portia, widowed three years ago, was currently at the top of the list and had found it necessary to flee to Italy this past Christmas to escape her aunt’s efforts.

      Portia spotted them and waved.

      They made their way toward her. Adrian leaned close to his wife and spoke softly. “Do you think she might have met someone in Italy?”

      “Surely she would have mentioned something of that magnitude,” Evelyn said. They’d seen Portia only once since her return, and that was at the wedding of Adrian’s youngest brother, Sebastian. “Why do you ask?”

      “No reason really. Just an odd impression I had when we last saw her.”

      “Portia has never been known for her ability to keep secrets.”

      “No, СКАЧАТЬ