Page 4 of Reading the Viscount
“Ah, then you knew something about the ship that none of us knew?”
“Hardly. Unless no one else is familiar with that route and the accompanying winds. I was also familiar with the captain’s penchant for promising a later arrival than he expected so as to appear early or on time and never late. It was information anyone could have discovered if they wished to.” Though obtaining the information through his older brother’s marriage to a Mabry was perhaps easier for him.
Durham stared for a moment before laughing and slapping him on the shoulder. “I should have known you’d investigate everything before going up against Harewood. I’m surprised he didn’t discover the same.”
“He very well may have, but he is also a pessimist and expected a winter storm to delay the ship.”
Durham chuckled. “I swear you take all the excitement and anticipation out of a bet. I find the thrill of not knowing truly invigorating.”
“Did you bet on theSeasprite?”
“Not at all. I would never bet against Harewood. He’s right too many times to be exciting. My latest bet is on how long the Viscount of Barrington will be able to juggle two mistresses before one discovers the other. I do believe it will before the end of this month.”
Christopher couldn’t imagine betting a fortune on so trivial a matter—not that when a ship came in was monumental, but at least it was more dependable than the whims of women. “You’ll have to let me know when that happens.”
“Are you looking for a new mistress, then?”
He grinned, not willing to lie outright. Let the man assume what he would.
“Then may I suggest Miss Frances. She recently left the Earl of Conway and is looking for another to warm her bed. It seems that being the by-blow of Lord Worthington allows the woman to be choosy.”
Thankful that the music covered their conversation, Christopher looked past the earl to search out the shepherdess he’d been about to approach. “Thank you for that information.”
“There you are, Tamworth. You sneaked away on us.”
He turned to find Lord Manning and Lord Wellsley approaching him. His friends were inadvertently making it much harder to accomplish his mission, which was far more important than any news they might impart. “I thought to ask a lady to dance.”
“We can’t have that now. First, you must settle a minor dispute between us.”
He tried to find the petite shepherdess he’d identified by looking between the two men, but they were having none of it.
“Come now, Tamworth. We will show you the object of our disagreement.”
As the two men forced him to head toward the terrace doors, he looked over his shoulder one last time in search of the lady he sought, but instead Durham waved him off before Christopher was ushered outside into the cold.
Chapter Two
Once inside Ellie’sroom, Sophie breathed easier.
“Come, let us get you out of your costume.” Ellie, now Lady Ferncroft, mothered all of them, even though she was the same age. Now that she’d married and had two children to care for, her instincts were even stronger. In no time, Ellie made short work of the ties that held the white overdress together, leaving Sophie in her simple day dress.
She felt as if her breasts were too large for her stays, her nipples far too sensitive, but she didn’t mention it, still too shocked by what had happened. Even her lips felt different.
Ellie strode across the room. “Come. Sit at my dressing table so I can remove the cap.”
Sophie did as requested, untying the white mask she wore to stare at her mussed hair, the shepherdess cap askew on her head. Had anyone noticed?
“Did something happen downstairs? I couldn’t find you.” Ellie began removing the pins holding the cap on.
Sophie caught her breath, sincerely hoping no one but Ellie noticed her disheveled state. She never lied, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell Ellie everything.
Ellie began to brush out Sophie’s hair, then tried to wind it up, but many hairs escaped. Ellie’s own red hair was expertly curled and madeone think of a setting sun.
Knowing Ellie still expected an answer about what had happened, Sophie moved her gaze from her friend’s face in the mirror to her own. “I went to the ladies’ retiring room and got lost on the way back to the ballroom.”
“I’m sorry. You should have taken one of us with you.” Ellie added the last pin and set down the brush.
“I thought I knew where it was, but when I left, I got turned around. I…”
