Chapter 2: Page 3

She should have kept her voice down. A striking blondhead

sitting on Kinneas's right, leaned toward them and purred

with gleeful malice, "Don't you think that might be one

of the attractions of the match for her? Imagine a

wealthy husband one hardly ever needs to keep company

with!"

Irvine made some sort of vague comment about doubting Lord

Leonhart's fiancée would agree, while Selphie struggled

to rein in her indignation. If she hadn't thought it

would make a dreadful scene, she'd have been tempted to

dump the contents of her soup bowl over the little minx!

Selphie knew the creature, if only by reputation. Lady

Quistis Trepe had jilted two men already, and only her

father's wealth and title had kept her from being

shunned by the ton. Fearing Lady Quistis might have designs

on Kinneas, Selphie took care to keep him so engaged in

conversation with her that he scarcely had a moment to

glance at his right-hand neighbor.

If that meant she had no time to chat with Zell Dintch,

it couldn't be helped. A lady must be willing

to make some sacrifices for the man she…liked a great

deal. Selphie felt quite rewarded when, near the end of

the meal, the Zell stole an opportunity to whisper

an intriguing invitation.

By the end of dinner, Kinneas felt as if he had drunk too

much of the earl's fine wine. Selphie's sudden exclusive

interest set him giddy with hope. Why, she'd hardly even

glanced at that coxcomb Dintch, who'd been taking far

too much interest in her to suit Irvine.

Perhaps his foolishness during their game that afternoon

had made her see he wasn't as stuffy and backward as she

might have thought. Or perhaps there was a little magic

in the air. Irvine didn't care what was behind it, as long

as it worked.

When the gentlemen retired to the earl's library, Kinneas

excused himself as soon as he could. He tipped the

earl's ancient valet a large sum for information about

Miss Tilmitt's whereabouts, then raced to the gardens

in search of her.

Just as he was rounding one of the hedges, he heard her

cry, "So you did come, after all!"

Irvine opened his mouth to reply. Before he could speak,

another man's voice answered the very words he'd meant

to say. "My apologies, dear lady. I came as soon as I

could."

"You're here now," said Selphie. "That's what matters."

As Kinneas watched from behind the hedge, his hope

shattered and ground into the dust, the woman he loved

took Dintch's arm and they began a slow stroll around

the garden.