Page 2 of Compromising the Marquess

“Since when have you had scruples?” demanded Robert.

Jerome stiffened, touched on the raw. “She is your sister, Rob. I’ve known her since she was a lass. I might be all sorts of a blackguard, but absolve me of that, please!”

Robert flushed and apologized. “What were you doing squiring Lady Holbrook and Miss Watson to the recital last night?”

“Daphne had a fancy to hear the performance, so I obliged.”

“Daphne, is it? I know it’s none of my business—”

“You’re right, it isn’t,” Jerome snapped, nettled.

Robert raised his eyebrows at him, and Jerome flushed faintly. “Don’t get your tails in a twist, it’s just a harmless flirtation, nothing more. You wanted me to keep her entertained at Vauxhall, I did. Even older ladies are entitled to a little fun, don’t you think? I’ve done nothing more than make her feel young again.” Which is perfectly true, but why do I feel the need to justify myself to Robert? “You needn’t worry about Ava. I’ll keep an eye on her. You go worry about Miss Watson,” he said cheerfully.

Rob smiled ruefully, acknowledging Jerome had hit the nail on the head, and went off to pursue his own agenda. Meanwhile, Jerome crossed his arms and watched Ava dancing down the line of a country dance with some pimply youth who wore a dazed expression.

Ava’s effect on the male population was significant enough to cause comment, as he overheard several remarks from jealous matchmaking mamas and appreciative gentlemen alike.

*

Ava, enjoying her first official London ball, was in a buoyant mood. Her hand had been solicited for every dance, her partners were fulsome in their admiration, and she couldn’t help feeling a little thrilled by her obvious success. But even so, none of it topped the felicity of Ravenshaw condescending to dance with her as a grownup. Finally, she had the satisfaction of knowing she had caught his attention.

The man was every schoolgirl’s dream, of course. Devastatingly handsome, his fashionable and perfectly fitting evening dress of plain black satin showed his excellent figure to advantage. And he had been her particular dream since she was fourteen. But he had always treated her like a little girl. Tonight, she thought, with an exhilaration that made her want to laugh for sheer joy, he finally saw her as a woman. She had caught the slight glow in his eyes, and even though he tried to hide it behind gentle teasing, she wasn’t fooled. He liked the adult version of her.

She knew he had a shocking reputation, though what he was supposed to have done to earn it she didn’t know, and no one at home would tell her. But now she was in London, she could very well find out what dark secrets his past held and why he was considered too dangerous for respectable young ladies to know.