Gentleman's Guide 01 - His Impetuous Debutante Read Free

could be there
right now.
    Feeling a presence behind her, she
turned slightly, recognizing Jeremy Carlyle, the last man she had
danced with.
    “ Lady Phoebe, I had no
idea you were here.”

    *

    “ Not bloody likely.” The
words could barely be heard and Phoebe looked beyond Carlyle but
did not see anyone. Perhaps it was someone who stood below in the
gardens. Voices were known to carry on breezes such as the one
cooling the air tonight.
    Stopping in his tracks, Jeremy looked
around at his surroundings. He must have heard the comment as well.
He approached with more caution, looking around the area to see if
anyone was present.
    “ Good evening, Mr.
Carlyle,” Lady Phoebe greeted.
    “ You admire the gardens
below?” Jeremy asked her.
    “ The gardens are
beautiful,” Phoebe agreed. “But it is that statute I find
interesting.” She pointed to a pair of cupids on top of a smaller
fountain far to the left side of the large one she admired a few
moments ago.
    “ Did you have a chance to
see the ones on the other side of the house?” He gestured into the
darkened portion of the terrace. “Lord Sanderson loves to collect
statues. There are at least three times as many at his estate in
the country.”
    “ No, I haven’t seen any
others here. I had no idea there were more.”
    “ Let me show you.” Carlyle
offered his arm.
    Phoebe began to take it, but hesitated
and cast a look at the man. “I don’t think I should,” she said with
reluctance and glanced at the darker end of the balcony.
    Carlyle straightened and his chin
jutted out as if he were insulted. “I promise I’ll be on my best
behavior.”
    “ Still, it wouldn’t be
wise,” Phoebe balked, looking back at the crowded ballroom,
hesitating.
    “ I will have you back
before anyone notices you’re gone.”
    She glanced to the end of the balcony,
back to the ballroom and then to Carlyle and smiled. Noah would
kill her if he learned but what were the chances of that happening.
He was too busy in conversation with that older couple, whose names
she had already forgotten. Besides, what real harm could there be?
It wasn’t as if they were the only people out here at the moment.
More than likely guests were strolling on that side of the house as
well. “Just for a moment and then I must hurry back before my
brother misses me.”
    Jeremy’s smile broadened as he began
to lead her away but stopped short. The smile faded and Phoebe
looked up. The man barring their way was tall with light brown
hair. His eyes were dark as well, though cold at the moment. He
seemed angry, if the firmness of his full lips were any indication.
She recognized him as one of the men who had been standing with her
brother earlier. He must be one of the gentlemen she was to avoid.
Her mother warned her to avoid Noah’s friends without giving a
specific reason and she half wondered if they were dangerous. Not
that Noah could be considered as such. Phoebe wondered who this
gentleman was waiting for. Perhaps his mistress.
    He casually leaned against a pillar,
blocking their progress. “You weren’t considering taking Lady
Phoebe away from the ball were you, Mr. Carlyle?”
    The man stammered, cursing under his
breath. “She had a desire to see the statues on the other side of
the house. I was merely escorting her.”
    Phoebe stood beside Carlyle and
watched the other man. What had been a lovely, carefree moment was
now filled with tension. Dread sank to her belly as she began to
comprehend the potential error she almost committed. She had been
warned of this very thing and she almost succumbed to Carlyle’s
charm. His offer seemed so nice and, well, innocent at the
time.
    “ How thoughtful,” the
other man offered in a cool voice. “However, they can be seen much
better during the day.” Straightening, he took Phoebe’s arm from
Carlyle and turned her back toward the door. “I’ll mention it to
her brother so he can bring her by.”
    Phoebe knew what this gentleman
believed