Page 34 of The Virgin Who Humbled Lord Haslemere
She huffed and squirmed a bit, as if she were being forced to strike a bargain with the devil himself, but at last she gave in to the inevitable. “Oh, very well. What do you wantnow? Quickly, if you please. We’rewasting time.”
What did he want? Ah, now that was an interesting question. Benedict would have liked to hear the word “please” fall from her lips again, but he didn’t fancy risking a limb for it. There was one other thing he’d quite enjoy, however. “I want leave to call you Georgiana, and I want you to use my Christianname, as well.”
“I couldn’t possibly.”
“I don’t see why not.”
She huffed out a breath. “Because I don’tknowyour Christian name.”
Benedict hid a grin. It was a lie, of course. For better or worse, everyone in London knew his name. “It’s Benedict.”
She blinked. “It doesn’t suit you.”
Benedict choked back a laugh. “The six previous Earls of Haslemere, all of them named Benedict Gabriel Alexander Harcourt, might not agree with you.”
“But it’s quite a pious name, isn’t it? There’s Saint Benedict, and his Benedictine monks, for a start. Benedict is Latin forblessed, and Gabriel is an angel.” She gave him a doubtful look. “Blessed angels are not, alas, the first words that come to mind when I think of you, Lord Haslemere.”
“Do you think of me, Georgiana? How delicious. But come, enough of this nonsense. Either you agree to my terms, or I’ll have Grigg take you back toMaddox Street.”
“Oh, for pity’s sake. Very well, I agree to your terms, my lord.Can we go now?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Can we go now,who?”
Her lips pursed as if she’d tasted something sour. “Can we gonow, Benedict?”
“Certainly, Georgiana.” It wasn’t very gentlemanly of him to enjoy himself at her expense, but Benedict had to struggle to keep the grin from spreading over his lips again. She didn’t have any idea how entertaining she was. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d been more amused.
Likely the last time he’d sparred with her.
“Albemarle Street, Grigg.” Benedict nodded at his coachman, who was pretending not to listen through the vent.
“Yes, my lord.” Grigg slid the vent closed.
Neither Benedict nor Georgiana said a word as the carriage made its way toward Mayfair. She kept her gaze on what was passing outside the window, while Benedict lounged in his seat and occupied himself with stealing glances at her, and savoring his victory.
* * * *
It was clear from the moment Lady Wylde swept into her private sitting room that she’d expected to receive Lord Haslemere alone.
“My dear Lord Haslemere. I imagined I’d see you again, but I didn’t anticipate it would be so soon.” She prowled across the room, so intent on her quarry she didn’t even notice Georgiana was also there. She sashayed right past the settee where Georgiana was seated, the long, diaphanous train of her skirts and a fog of scent trailing behind her.
Rose, or vetiver? Whatever it was it descended on Georgiana like a noxious cloud, clogging her throat and burning her nostrils.
“Lady Wylde.” Lord Haslemere attempted a polite bow, but he didn’t get far before Lady Wylde put both her hands on his chest, and with a little push sent him sprawling backto the settee.
“I beg your pardon,my lady, but—”
He broke off with a grunt when she landed squarely in his lap. “You’ve no need to beg for anything, my lord.”
“Other than mercy.” Lord Haslemere held his hands up and away from her, as if she’d pointed apistol at him.
Lady Wylde was busily unwinding his cravat, and didn’t appear to notice his reluctance. “Shhh.” The long length of linen fluttered to the floor. She twined her arms around his neck and pressed her painted lips against his bared throat. “I’ve already forgiven you for your ungentlemanly behavior last night.”
Georgiana stared at them in a daze. She didnotwant to witness whatever Lady Wylde would do next, but she found she couldn’t look away from the two of them. She gaped, torn between fascination and horror as Lady Wylde writhed sinuously over Lord Haslemere’s lap.
“Do, however, feel at liberty to abandon gentlemanly behaviornow.” Lady Wylde let out a throaty chuckle. “No woman wants a tame lover, but you already know that, don’t you, my lord? There is such delicious gossip about you! I’ve longed to discover for myself if you’re as insatiable, as ferocious asrumor claims.”
Ferocious?Georgiana’s frozen limbs thawed in an instant. She leapt up from her seat, intending to flee from the room straight back to Lord Haslemere’s carriage, but his calm voice stopped her before she could reach the door. “Sit down, Miss Harley.”
