lady take the lead."
Indeed?"
She cleared her throat discreetly. He said it heated the blood in
his veins. The French are inclined to be romantic, you know."
Indeed."
Matthias was suddenly consumed by a fierce desire to know a
great deal more about Imogen. He needed to find a place where
they could have a private conversation, he decided. The gardens,
perhaps.
By dint of brute strength, he managed to bring her to a halt at
the edge of the floor. Can I interest you in a breath of fresh air,
Miss Waterstone?"
Thank you, but I do not feel the need of any fresh air."
Nonsense." He wrapped his fingers very firmly around her
elbow and propelled her forcibly in the direction of the doors that
opened onto the gardens. It is quite warm in here."
Truly, sir, I am not at all overheated."
I am."
I beg your pardon?"
I expect it was the thrill of having you take the lead on the
dance floor. You did tell me that it has a tendency to overheat the
blood."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Oh." Comprehension dawned on her face. Yes, indeed. I quite
understand. Fresh air is exactly what you require, sir."
Matthias plowed through the crowd with Imogen in tow. Just
before he reached the doors, he was obliged to veer left to avoid
an encounter with a cluster of curious onlookers.
It was the sudden change of direction that apparently caused
the small disaster. Imogen was unprepared. She collided with a
footman carrying a tray of champagne glasses.
There was a sharp exclamation from the footman. The tray
slipped from his hands and fell to the floor. Glasses crashed and
shattered. Champagne sprayed the gowns of the ladies who stood
closest to the scene of the accident.
One of the ladies, Matthias saw, was Theodosia Slott. Her eyes
widened at the sight of him. Her mouth parted in shock. She put a
hand to her full bosom.
Colchester." Theodosia gave a muffled gasp, went quite pale,
and slid to the floor in a graceful swoon.
Bloody hell," Matthias said.
An uproar ensued. The gentlemen looked nonplussed. They
glanced from the fallen Theodosia to Matthias and back again
with confused expressions. Several ladies sprang into action. They
reached for their vinaigrettes even as they turned their deliciously
horrified gazes on Matthias.
On second thought, Miss Waterstone Matthias paused when
he saw that Imogen had gone to her knees to help the footman
pick up the broken glass. He hauled her effortlessly upright again.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
I believe it's time to leave. This affair is about to become exceed
ingly dull. Let's find your aunt and call your carriage."
But I've only just arrived." Imogen peered back over her shoulder as Matthias marched her away from
the shattered glass and
the fallen woman. Who is that odd lady? I do believe she fainted
at the sight of you, sir."
My unfortunate reputation sometimes has that effect on
people."
Chapter 5
Matthias leaned into the carriage just before the footman closed
the door. He pinned Imogen in the glow of the carriage lamps, his
gaze grim with frustration. I wish to speak with you, Miss
Waterstone. Obviously that is not possible tonight." He cast a
brief, irritated glance over his shoulder at Lady Blunt's crowded
front steps, where guests were arriving and departing in a scene of
mild chaos. I shall call on you tomorrow at eleven. Make certain
that you are at home."
Imogen raised her brows at his cool presumption, but she told
herself that she must make allowances. It had obviously been a
trying evening for him, although for her part she thought things
had gone rather well. I shall look forward to your visit, my lord."
She gave him an encouraging smile, hoping to bolster his flag
ging spirits, but the expression in his eyes merely darkened in
response. He inclined his head in a brusquely civil farewell. The
lamplight iced the streak of silver
Indeed?"
She cleared her throat discreetly. He said it heated the blood in
his veins. The French are inclined to be romantic, you know."
Indeed."
Matthias was suddenly consumed by a fierce desire to know a
great deal more about Imogen. He needed to find a place where
they could have a private conversation, he decided. The gardens,
perhaps.
By dint of brute strength, he managed to bring her to a halt at
the edge of the floor. Can I interest you in a breath of fresh air,
Miss Waterstone?"
Thank you, but I do not feel the need of any fresh air."
Nonsense." He wrapped his fingers very firmly around her
elbow and propelled her forcibly in the direction of the doors that
opened onto the gardens. It is quite warm in here."
Truly, sir, I am not at all overheated."
I am."
I beg your pardon?"
I expect it was the thrill of having you take the lead on the
dance floor. You did tell me that it has a tendency to overheat the
blood."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Oh." Comprehension dawned on her face. Yes, indeed. I quite
understand. Fresh air is exactly what you require, sir."
Matthias plowed through the crowd with Imogen in tow. Just
before he reached the doors, he was obliged to veer left to avoid
an encounter with a cluster of curious onlookers.
It was the sudden change of direction that apparently caused
the small disaster. Imogen was unprepared. She collided with a
footman carrying a tray of champagne glasses.
There was a sharp exclamation from the footman. The tray
slipped from his hands and fell to the floor. Glasses crashed and
shattered. Champagne sprayed the gowns of the ladies who stood
closest to the scene of the accident.
One of the ladies, Matthias saw, was Theodosia Slott. Her eyes
widened at the sight of him. Her mouth parted in shock. She put a
hand to her full bosom.
Colchester." Theodosia gave a muffled gasp, went quite pale,
and slid to the floor in a graceful swoon.
Bloody hell," Matthias said.
An uproar ensued. The gentlemen looked nonplussed. They
glanced from the fallen Theodosia to Matthias and back again
with confused expressions. Several ladies sprang into action. They
reached for their vinaigrettes even as they turned their deliciously
horrified gazes on Matthias.
On second thought, Miss Waterstone Matthias paused when
he saw that Imogen had gone to her knees to help the footman
pick up the broken glass. He hauled her effortlessly upright again.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
I believe it's time to leave. This affair is about to become exceed
ingly dull. Let's find your aunt and call your carriage."
But I've only just arrived." Imogen peered back over her shoulder as Matthias marched her away from
the shattered glass and
the fallen woman. Who is that odd lady? I do believe she fainted
at the sight of you, sir."
My unfortunate reputation sometimes has that effect on
people."
Chapter 5
Matthias leaned into the carriage just before the footman closed
the door. He pinned Imogen in the glow of the carriage lamps, his
gaze grim with frustration. I wish to speak with you, Miss
Waterstone. Obviously that is not possible tonight." He cast a
brief, irritated glance over his shoulder at Lady Blunt's crowded
front steps, where guests were arriving and departing in a scene of
mild chaos. I shall call on you tomorrow at eleven. Make certain
that you are at home."
Imogen raised her brows at his cool presumption, but she told
herself that she must make allowances. It had obviously been a
trying evening for him, although for her part she thought things
had gone rather well. I shall look forward to your visit, my lord."
She gave him an encouraging smile, hoping to bolster his flag
ging spirits, but the expression in his eyes merely darkened in
response. He inclined his head in a brusquely civil farewell. The
lamplight iced the streak of silver
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