Matthias reached out to take hold of
Imogen's arm. He missed by several inches, as she had already
started off through the crowd. He managed to catch up with her
just as she reached the crowded dance floor.
Imogen turned smartly, stepped into his arms, and immediately
swept him into an energetic waltz.
It has begun." Excitement lit her eyes. I was greatly relieved to
see you here tonight, sir."
I merely followed instructions."
Yes, I know, but I confess I was a trifle concerned that you
might have succumbed to your doubts about my scheme."
I was rather hoping that you might have had a few qualms
yourself by now, Imogen."
Not at all." She cast a quick, searching glance from side to side
and then steered him toward a quieter corner of the floor. Have
you seen Vanneck?"
He's here." Being led about the dance floor by his partner was
something of a novelty, Matthias reflected.
Excellent." Imogen's hand tightened around Matthias's fingers.
Then he will have taken note of your sudden interest in me?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
He and everyone else in the room. I do not generally make it a
habit to be seen at this sort of thing."
All the better. Aunt Horatia is planting the tale of the Queen's
Seal in Lady Blunt's ear even as we speak. She will inform her that
Uncle Selwyn left the map to me. Word will spread quickly. I
expect Vanneck will hear the rumors tonight, or tomorrow at the
very latest."
No doubt, given the way gossip moves through Society,"
Matthias agreed grimly.
As soon as he learns that I possess the key to the Queen's Seal,
he will recall how you seized upon the opportunity to gain an
introduction to me at the earliest opportunity." Imogen smiled
with satisfaction. He will immediately wonder why you would
bother to do so. He will then conclude that there is only one obvious reason you would make it a point
to meet me so quickly."
The Queen's Seal."
Precisely."
Matthias studied her obliquely. There is another reason for my
seeking an introduction tonight, you know."
She gave him a baffled look. What is that, my lord?"
I told you, Society believes me to be hunting for a wife."
Her face cleared. Oh, yes. You did mention something along
those lines. But no one is likely to conclude that you have fixed
your interest on me for that reason."
Why not?"
She frowned. Don't be dense, Colchester. No one will expect
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
you to be seriously interested in me as a wife. Do not concern
yourself, sir. Society will assume exactly what we wish it to assume.
You are after my map."
If you say so." Conscious of their audience, Matthias smiled to
conceal his exasperation. I suppose there is no hope of talking
you out of this plan?"
None whatsoever, my lord. Indeed, I am very pleased with the
way the thing has begun. Try not to fret. I shall see to it that you
are not placed in any danger."
If there is no possibility of convincing you to give up your
scheme, is there any chance that I can persuade you to let me
lead?"
I beg your pardon?"
I know it is somewhat boring and conventional, but I was
taught to lead when I waltz with a lady."
Oh." Imogen blushed a vivid shade of pink. Forgive me, my
lord. I am somewhat out of practice. I hired an instructor three
years ago. He was French. The French are very skilled at that sort
of thing."
So I've heard." Out of the corner of his eye Matthias saw
Vanneck hovering on the fringes of the crowd. He was watching
Imogen with unmistakable interest.
Philippe said that I had a natural aptitude for assuming the
lead on the dance floor."
Philippe?"
Philippe D'Artois, my French dancing instructor," Imogen
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
explained.
Ah, yes. The dancing instructor."
Imogen demurely lowered her lashes. Philippe said he found it
quite thrilling to have the
Imogen's arm. He missed by several inches, as she had already
started off through the crowd. He managed to catch up with her
just as she reached the crowded dance floor.
Imogen turned smartly, stepped into his arms, and immediately
swept him into an energetic waltz.
It has begun." Excitement lit her eyes. I was greatly relieved to
see you here tonight, sir."
I merely followed instructions."
Yes, I know, but I confess I was a trifle concerned that you
might have succumbed to your doubts about my scheme."
I was rather hoping that you might have had a few qualms
yourself by now, Imogen."
Not at all." She cast a quick, searching glance from side to side
and then steered him toward a quieter corner of the floor. Have
you seen Vanneck?"
He's here." Being led about the dance floor by his partner was
something of a novelty, Matthias reflected.
Excellent." Imogen's hand tightened around Matthias's fingers.
Then he will have taken note of your sudden interest in me?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
He and everyone else in the room. I do not generally make it a
habit to be seen at this sort of thing."
All the better. Aunt Horatia is planting the tale of the Queen's
Seal in Lady Blunt's ear even as we speak. She will inform her that
Uncle Selwyn left the map to me. Word will spread quickly. I
expect Vanneck will hear the rumors tonight, or tomorrow at the
very latest."
No doubt, given the way gossip moves through Society,"
Matthias agreed grimly.
As soon as he learns that I possess the key to the Queen's Seal,
he will recall how you seized upon the opportunity to gain an
introduction to me at the earliest opportunity." Imogen smiled
with satisfaction. He will immediately wonder why you would
bother to do so. He will then conclude that there is only one obvious reason you would make it a point
to meet me so quickly."
The Queen's Seal."
Precisely."
Matthias studied her obliquely. There is another reason for my
seeking an introduction tonight, you know."
She gave him a baffled look. What is that, my lord?"
I told you, Society believes me to be hunting for a wife."
Her face cleared. Oh, yes. You did mention something along
those lines. But no one is likely to conclude that you have fixed
your interest on me for that reason."
Why not?"
She frowned. Don't be dense, Colchester. No one will expect
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
you to be seriously interested in me as a wife. Do not concern
yourself, sir. Society will assume exactly what we wish it to assume.
You are after my map."
If you say so." Conscious of their audience, Matthias smiled to
conceal his exasperation. I suppose there is no hope of talking
you out of this plan?"
None whatsoever, my lord. Indeed, I am very pleased with the
way the thing has begun. Try not to fret. I shall see to it that you
are not placed in any danger."
If there is no possibility of convincing you to give up your
scheme, is there any chance that I can persuade you to let me
lead?"
I beg your pardon?"
I know it is somewhat boring and conventional, but I was
taught to lead when I waltz with a lady."
Oh." Imogen blushed a vivid shade of pink. Forgive me, my
lord. I am somewhat out of practice. I hired an instructor three
years ago. He was French. The French are very skilled at that sort
of thing."
So I've heard." Out of the corner of his eye Matthias saw
Vanneck hovering on the fringes of the crowd. He was watching
Imogen with unmistakable interest.
Philippe said that I had a natural aptitude for assuming the
lead on the dance floor."
Philippe?"
Philippe D'Artois, my French dancing instructor," Imogen
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
explained.
Ah, yes. The dancing instructor."
Imogen demurely lowered her lashes. Philippe said he found it
quite thrilling to have the
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