the market for one this eve?”
Thea renewed her resolve. “Yes, if I can find the right match.”
“No time like the present.” Her hostess surveyed the ballroom the way a queen might a map of her kingdom. “Now title or money—which is more important to you?”
Lord Blackwood grimaced. “That’s my cue to make myself scarce so you females can get to your mercenary talk.”
“Never fear, my lord. I married you for your looks,” his lady said in dulcet tones, “and your fortune came a distant second.”
“A comforting thought.” Smiling, Blackwood kissed his wife, made a precise bow to Thea, and left to circulate amongst his guests.
“Now back to the task at hand.” Lady Blackwood’s vivid eyes swept over the glittering ballroom. “How about Sir Rathburn? He’s in the gold robes, by the champagne fountain. His Midas costume is quite apropos: he is worth twenty thousand a year.”
Thea studied the gentleman in question. Although he was handsome and well-built, his smirk reminded her of the rooster they’d had back in the country. The puffed-up bird had paraded around the coop, pecking at the chickens and crowing at ungodly hours… until an exasperated Emma had put him in the soup pot.
“I don’t think Sir Rathburn and I are a match,” Thea said.
“You’re absolutely right. He is a mere baron.”
“Oh, it’s not that. I’m myself a middling class miss, after all, and quite content to be so,” she said earnestly. “In my family, we don’t marry for money or status.”
“Your sister landed the Duke of Strathaven,” Lady Blackwood said dryly.
“Emma would have married him even if he wasn’t a duke. In fact,” Thea said with a rueful smile, “their courtship might have gone a bit smoother.”
“A family of idealists, how refreshing. Tell me, then, what are you after, Miss Kent?”
Tremont leapt into her mind. She blocked out the image.
“Deep, true, and passionate love,” she said.
“Well. That does complicate things, doesn’t it?” Lady Blackwood’s eyes sparkled within their rims of kohl. “As it happens, you are a lady after my own heart, Miss Kent, and I should like to help you. Shall I acquaint you with a few eligible parti ?”
As Thea was about to answer, awareness tingled over her nape. She glanced over her hostess’ shoulder, in the direction of the entryway. Standing by a pillar was a tall man clad in a black domino. From this distance, his hair looked tobacco brown, much darker than Tremont’s, yet there was something about him…
She blinked, and he was gone.
Well, that’s perfect, isn’t it? Not only did I imagine the attraction between Tremont and me, now I’m seeing him everywhere. If I don’t get past this ridiculous tendre, I shall turn into a madwoman.
Thea took a composing breath and smoothed her feathery skirts. “Yes, my lady. I would be most grateful for introductions.”
***
Behind the column, Gabriel cursed himself. Although he was a bit rusty at espionage, he still remembered the rules. Losing one’s focus was a sure way to botch a mission. Too much was at stake for such foolishness.
He told himself it was just the shock of seeing a swan transformed into a mythical creature of flame. Unable to help himself, he risked another glimpse around the pillar. With each of Thea’s movements, incendiary feathers fluttered, a beguiling contrast to the milky skin above her low-cut bodice, the gold-swirled curls piled atop her dainty head. Her gilded mask accentuated the delicacy of her features.
Fragile yet fiery, she was the essence of desire. Answering heat flared in him, the primal urge to claim her as his and his alone. Savagely, he locked away his needs.
You’re here for a purpose. Lives—including Freddy’s—depend upon it.
Deliberately, he took up conversation with a lady dressed as a nymph. She’d been sending him come-hither looks, and it was always best to blend in. All the while, he discreetly monitored his target for the
Thea renewed her resolve. “Yes, if I can find the right match.”
“No time like the present.” Her hostess surveyed the ballroom the way a queen might a map of her kingdom. “Now title or money—which is more important to you?”
Lord Blackwood grimaced. “That’s my cue to make myself scarce so you females can get to your mercenary talk.”
“Never fear, my lord. I married you for your looks,” his lady said in dulcet tones, “and your fortune came a distant second.”
“A comforting thought.” Smiling, Blackwood kissed his wife, made a precise bow to Thea, and left to circulate amongst his guests.
“Now back to the task at hand.” Lady Blackwood’s vivid eyes swept over the glittering ballroom. “How about Sir Rathburn? He’s in the gold robes, by the champagne fountain. His Midas costume is quite apropos: he is worth twenty thousand a year.”
Thea studied the gentleman in question. Although he was handsome and well-built, his smirk reminded her of the rooster they’d had back in the country. The puffed-up bird had paraded around the coop, pecking at the chickens and crowing at ungodly hours… until an exasperated Emma had put him in the soup pot.
“I don’t think Sir Rathburn and I are a match,” Thea said.
“You’re absolutely right. He is a mere baron.”
“Oh, it’s not that. I’m myself a middling class miss, after all, and quite content to be so,” she said earnestly. “In my family, we don’t marry for money or status.”
“Your sister landed the Duke of Strathaven,” Lady Blackwood said dryly.
“Emma would have married him even if he wasn’t a duke. In fact,” Thea said with a rueful smile, “their courtship might have gone a bit smoother.”
“A family of idealists, how refreshing. Tell me, then, what are you after, Miss Kent?”
Tremont leapt into her mind. She blocked out the image.
“Deep, true, and passionate love,” she said.
“Well. That does complicate things, doesn’t it?” Lady Blackwood’s eyes sparkled within their rims of kohl. “As it happens, you are a lady after my own heart, Miss Kent, and I should like to help you. Shall I acquaint you with a few eligible parti ?”
As Thea was about to answer, awareness tingled over her nape. She glanced over her hostess’ shoulder, in the direction of the entryway. Standing by a pillar was a tall man clad in a black domino. From this distance, his hair looked tobacco brown, much darker than Tremont’s, yet there was something about him…
She blinked, and he was gone.
Well, that’s perfect, isn’t it? Not only did I imagine the attraction between Tremont and me, now I’m seeing him everywhere. If I don’t get past this ridiculous tendre, I shall turn into a madwoman.
Thea took a composing breath and smoothed her feathery skirts. “Yes, my lady. I would be most grateful for introductions.”
***
Behind the column, Gabriel cursed himself. Although he was a bit rusty at espionage, he still remembered the rules. Losing one’s focus was a sure way to botch a mission. Too much was at stake for such foolishness.
He told himself it was just the shock of seeing a swan transformed into a mythical creature of flame. Unable to help himself, he risked another glimpse around the pillar. With each of Thea’s movements, incendiary feathers fluttered, a beguiling contrast to the milky skin above her low-cut bodice, the gold-swirled curls piled atop her dainty head. Her gilded mask accentuated the delicacy of her features.
Fragile yet fiery, she was the essence of desire. Answering heat flared in him, the primal urge to claim her as his and his alone. Savagely, he locked away his needs.
You’re here for a purpose. Lives—including Freddy’s—depend upon it.
Deliberately, he took up conversation with a lady dressed as a nymph. She’d been sending him come-hither looks, and it was always best to blend in. All the while, he discreetly monitored his target for the
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