The Duke and the Lady in Red Read Free Page B

don’t have to flatter me, Mrs. Sharpe. You have my attention.”
    â€œBut for how long without flattery?”
    He chuckled low. “Until I grow bored. And flattery bores me.”
    â€œWell, then, without further ado, I would like to finish my tour of the place. You are welcome to accompany me or not. Makes no never mind to me.” She could be as cool and aloof as he required. She did like that he didn’t crave adulation, but it did leave her a bit discombobulated, as she’d never before dealt with a man who didn’t react to being fawned over.
    He showed her the gaming room that was for men only. It was much like the salon: dark and ominous. Masculine. It spoke of power and wealth. How she would like to be a fly on the wall in here.
    With few words uttered, he escorted her back to the main salon. But he was a man who communicated nonetheless. With a touch to her elbow, the small of her back, her shoulder. Light and quick caresses, but still there was an air of possessiveness to them. He was not completely immune to her charms. He was simply striving not to be sucked in too far.
    â€œDance with me,” he said.
    His words startled her. Inwardly she cursed herself for losing her composure for a moment, for letting him take her off-­guard. “I’m not certain why but I didn’t think you were one to dance.”
    â€œNormally, I’m not, but my mother spent a fortune on lessons. I should put them to use now and again. Would you prefer to dance here or in the ballroom?”
    â€œThere is a separate room for dancing? I somehow missed that.”
    â€œSomething tells me you don’t miss much.”
    And neither did he. She considered making her excuses, leaving now before things went too far, before she was the one sucked in, the one not thinking clearly, but it had been a good long while since anyone intrigued her. He was mysterious. Based upon how few ­people stopped to speak with him, she suspected he was not known for being interested in their affairs and was known for not sharing his. She could take advantage of his tendency toward privacy.
    â€œI should like to see the ballroom,” she said.
    â€œIf I must walk that far for a dance, I shall have to have two.”
    â€œThat would be rather scandalous, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œYou’re past the first blush of innocence. I suspect scandal suits you.”
    â€œIn all honesty I try to avoid it, but I have not danced in ages, not since my husband’s passing,” she felt obligated to say. Wrapping her hand around his arm, she gave him a smile intended to charm, to make him feel as though he were the only man in the room worthy of her attention. “Lead on.”
    As he escorted her through the rooms and hallways, she caught the speculative glances, the raised eyebrows. It was to her advantage to garner attention, but not too much. A woman was always best served by keeping an air of mystery about her.
    The ballroom was magnificent. Glittering chandeliers. Mirrored walls. A balcony with an orchestra of at least a dozen. Lilies emitted their sweet fragrance into the air. Ah, yes, Drake Darling was providing a place for the untitled wealthy to socialize with the nobility. Clever man. He had brought all she sought into one convenient place. She would have to send him a note of appreciation when the time came.
    â€œYou seem impressed,” Avendale said.
    â€œI appreciate elegance.” And it was important that she remember every detail. She would no doubt be grilled on them when she returned home. “I shall have to do something similar with my ballroom. It’s in need of a touch more stylishness.”
    â€œYou have a ballroom?” he asked, and she heard the surprise in his voice.
    â€œMy husband, bless him, left me quite well off. I’d have thought you intelligent enough to discern that I’m a woman of independent means. How else might I have garnered an