A Thoroughly Compromised Lady Read Free Page A

more to be gained from provoking Ortiz. He’d got what he came for. He’d taken the measure of the delegation and it was quite telling.

Chapter Two
    D ulci’s announcement was immediately un popular with everyone except Jack. ‘But the next waltz is mine,’ a rather dull-witted fellow, the Earl of Carstairs’s son, stepped forwards to protest.
    The boy was not fast enough. Jack claimed indisputable possession, covering Dulci’s gloved hand on his sleeve with his own. ‘I’m sure Lady Dulcinea has something saved for you later.’
    â€˜I have a country dance free in the fourth set.’ Dulci quickly offset the boy’s sour face.
    â€˜Good choice,’ Jack remarked in low tones, leading her towards the dance floor. ‘Less conversational opportunities with a country dance. You’re probably doing him a favour. I doubt he has the requisite half-hour of conversation saved up to get through a waltz.’
    â€˜I’m doing myself a favour.’ Dulci placed her hand on Jack’s shoulder as they positioned them selves. ‘The man’s got the brains and build of an ox. He stepped on my feet no less than five times last week at the Balfour ball.’
    â€˜Here I thought you were protecting Ortiz when in reality you were angling for a dance with me.’
    â€˜Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not desperate to dance with you like the other women in the ballroom.’
    â€˜They want more than dancing from me, I assure you. You noticed my following? It is quite considerable.’
    Dulci blushed as he intended.
    â€˜What? There’s nothing wrong with the words “following” or “considerable”.’ Jack feigned ignorance of his innuendo.
    â€˜Except when you say them. I can’t say I have noticed your “following”, but I’ve noticed you’re still as conceited as I remember in the orangery.’
    Jack laughed at Dulci’s pique, the familiar longings starting to stir. He was enjoying this: his hand at her back, the warmth of her body through the thin silk of her gown, his mind taking pleasure in the mental exercise of parrying her comments.
    â€˜It’s the truth.’ Jack swung them into the opening patterns of the waltz. He was starting to wonder if his emotional distance could be challenged tonight. He’d like nothing more than to try his luck at stealing a few kisses.
    â€˜That all women are dying of love for you?’
    â€˜No need to be envious. It’s not as if you don’t have the other half of London at your feet.’ Jack shot a look at the jilted heir on the sidelines. ‘I would have thought women found him rather handsome. He’s tall, muscular in a beefy sort of way. Quite the pride of English manhood.’
    â€˜It will all run to fat in ten years,’ Dulci said matter of factly. ‘I prefer a leaner sort of man. Big men don’t tend to dance well.’
    â€˜Your brother’s tall,’ Jack argued for the sake of disagreement. With Dulci, anything was fair game for an argument. ‘The ladies love dancing with him whenever Nora gives them a chance.’
    â€˜Brandon’s an exception.’
    â€˜Speaking of Brandon, I had a note from your brother a month ago. He and Nora are doing well.’ Brandon was the one safe topic of conversation they had between them. ‘I gathered they aren’t coming up to town because of the new baby.’
    â€˜No, they won’t be coming up. It’s to be expected. They are the most doting of parents.’ A small smile played across Dulci’s lips at the mention of her new nephew, giving her features a rare soft look. It occurred to Jack that Dulci’s long-standing reign as an Incomparable might indeed be a lonely one. The girl friends who had débuted with her eight years ago would have long since married and started their own families. He had not thought of it in that way