The Devil's Waltz Read Free

However, in polite society one does not comment on another’s physical attributes. A general compliment usually suffices.”
    Hetty stared at her. “I don’t have to be polite to you. You’re a mere hireling.”
    â€œIn fact, I am not. People of my station do not work for a living. I am merely helping out as a favor to my godmother. I consider you my charity work.”
    Hetty blinked, and Annelise wisely moved farther from the treacherous marble staircase. “You dare…” Hetty sputtered.
    â€œMy dear child, I am the Honorable Miss Annelise Kempton, daughter of a baronet, granddaughter of an earl, with my family’s name emblazoned in the Domes-day Book long before anyone in your family learned to read. I would suggest you consider carefully what you dare. I don’t expect your father would be pleased to hear that you insulted your guest. He went to a great deal of trouble to arrange this visit.”
    Hetty’s lower lip trembled, and Annelise remembered that for all her arrogance, Hetty was just seventeen, and far less sure of herself than she appeared.
    â€œPax,” she said gently. “I only want to be of assistance, and I promise you I’m neither a governess nor an ogre. My task is to help you attract the right sort of attention, secure the marriage you deserve. Your fortune is astonishing, particularly considering you are your father’s only heir, and of course it’s unentailed. Beyond that, you know perfectly well that you are very pretty.”
    Hetty was rousing herself to fight back. “I’m not pretty, I’m beautiful! One of the greatest beauties of all time, better than the Gunning sisters, better than—”
    â€œYou don’t need to be more beautiful than the Gunning sisters—they had no money to lure a well-bred husband. With your face and your circumstances you should do very well indeed, once I’ve given you a little polish.”
    â€œI don’t need—”
    â€œEven a rare diamond needs a bit of polish,” Annelise said firmly. “Now show me to my room and you can tell me about the young men you’ve met, who might be a good prospect. I don’t need to ask who has fallen at your feet—I’m certain they all have. But you can afford to be very picky when it comes to a mate. He needn’t have money, but your father would prefer a title, and he must be of good character.”
    â€œI’ve already chosen,” Miss Hetty said firmly. “And no one is going to tell me I can’t have him!”
    That was what she’d heard them arguing about earlier, she thought. “Has the gentleman made known his intentions?”
    â€œHe doesn’t need to. You said it yourself, every man in London is at my feet. I can choose whomever I please, and I choose him.”
    â€œAnd who, exactly, is this paragon who has captured your heart?” she inquired, following her charge down the wide, unfortunately-papered hallway until they came to a bedroom door. Hetty flung it open with a dramatic gesture that was entirely wasted, since there was nothing dramatic about the large room she was being offered.
    â€œHe’s a viscount,” Hetty said. “Or at least he will be once his uncle dies. And he doesn’t have a penny, but he does very well at cards. Besides, I’ll have enough money for the both of us.”
    â€œTrue enough.”
    â€œAnd he’s absolutely beautiful. I deserve a beautiful husband, do I not?”
    â€œThere is no reason why you shouldn’t have one,” Annelise replied, wondering how she was going to broach the possibility that extremely beautiful men were often not particularly interested in women.
    â€œSo I’ll have him.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œChristian Montcalm.”
    And if Annelise had been the type to swoon, shewould be flat on the garish carpet at that very moment, dead to the world.
    Fortunately Annelise had