Dangerous Weakness Read Free Page B

events in the coming season. Whenever he nodded politely, Lady Sarah took it as encouragement, and Lady Jane cast a sour frown in her direction.
    From the far end of the table, holding court to the right of their host, his mother watched serenely, a satisfied smile firmly in place. He had no doubt who placed the two bloodhounds near him.
    “But surely a landscape devoid of flowers must depress one!”
    He looked across at Lady Jane—pretty enough, with good bloodlines, but utterly lacking in sense. As his hostess, she would cause an international incident within a year of marriage.
    Lilias Thornton would know what to say. That thought came unbidden, as did the urge to look down the table at the woman herself who, lacking title or station, sat safely beyond the massive silver epergne that marked the middle of the table. Lilias sparkled up at Walter Stewart and his ilk, junior diplomats all, obviously enjoying the conversation. She would make one of them a good wife. The thought irritated him.
    “I would prefer the beet root to the asparagus,” Lady Sarah declared, not quite keeping annoyance from her voice.
    Stop staring and pay attention to the chit next to you!
    “Of course.” He gestured to a footman. The footman brought the dish, and Richard did what manners demanded. A gentleman always offered the lady next to him her choice. He wondered briefly where his manners had scattered, glanced back at Lilias Thornton, and looked swiftly away.
    He offered Lady Sarah her choice of fowl.
    “The duckling, please,” she beamed.
    This one had impeccable manners. If she found the presence of a Muslim at her table troublesome, she hid it well. Lady Sarah possessed a suitable dowry and background for the wife of a future duke. Their fathers were cronies when not locked in rivalry. Perhaps I ought to consider her.
    Moments later his mind wandered again. He caught himself glaring at Walter Stewart, who leaned too close to Lilias. Raise your damned eyes above the woman’s décolletage, Stewart!
    The next thing he heard came from Lady Sarah. “But your eminence, isn’t Greece part of your homeland also? All those islands?”
    Richard held his breath. He did not want a discussion of political tension at dinner. That could wait until the men were alone.
    Sahin smiled as a grandfather might at a simple child. “Greece lies under the protection of the Ottoman Emperor for sure, my lady. It is as you say, quite beautiful.”
    Lady Jane wrinkled her nose. “How can it be Greece and Ottoman?” she asked.
    Before Richard could respond, Sahin Pasha spoke. “How does your Scotland lie with in the United Kingdom?”
    “My father calls the Scots barbarians in a wild land,” Lady Jane sniffed.
    “Not so!” Lady Sarah objected. Catherine, Sahin Pasha, and Richard all looked at her. Lady Jane glared.
    “My cousin has a manor near the borders,” Lady Sarah continued. “It is quite, quite beautiful. The company is cultured, even if the weather is not what one might like.”
    Richard looked at Lady Sarah more closely. Yes, perhaps I should consider this one. It would at least relieve me of my mother’s machinations.
    “Ah, but part of Greece’s attraction lies in its weather,” Sahin responded.
    Richard let Catherine steer the conversation into the safer realms of temperature and thunderstorm. He glanced down the table again. This time he caught his mother’s frown. She glared at Lilias.
    When Catherine finally rose, Richard sat back in relief. He watched the ladies troop out, forced his gaze away from Lilias Thornton, and caught a martial look on his mother’s face. Perhaps he should avoid joining the ladies altogether.
    Lady Sarah Wharton took the place next to the Duchess of Sudbury on a brocade sofa. Lily watched with less detachment than she liked.
    Other young ladies, including the sour-faced Lady Jane, clustered around, peeping like so many ducklings vying for place. Whatever else this house party intended, the competition for