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flirted with him, no other. She walked silently at his
side as they left the box, continuing along the hall and
down the stairs to join the others near the doors.
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Also waiting for them was Lady Alicia Dartry with
her parents. She was wearing the white usually seen
on girls in the first year of their come-out. The gown
did not become her, nor did the irritated expression on
her face.
"Sir Marcus, I had no idea you planned to attend the
opera this evening." She pointedly ignored Charis and
the others, concentrating on Marcus.
"He is a dear to take us all to hear such a delightful
performance," Charis said with unfeigned enthusiasm.
She beamed a bright smile at her cousin, thankful she
could praise him, for he deserved it at least for his
thoughtfulness. She disregarded his teasing, for the
moment.
"Lady Alicia, you well know how fond of music I am.
I wished to share the evening with my relatives."
Marcus gave her a bland look that said utterly
nothing.
She tittered. "Of course, I fancy they have seen
nothing like it living so retired in the country."
"Yes, indeed," Charis replied gently, trying not to grit
her teeth. "We country folk do enjoy a bit of high living
when we get the opportunity."
"Time for us to be gone." Marcus glanced at Charis,
the clock, then urged his party and Sir William to the
doors.
"Marcus," Lady Huntingdon said in a surprisingly
firm voice for her, "I do not care for that young lady. I
trust she is but a distant acquaintance." Apparently
her ladyship had totally forgotten that Lady Alicia had
attended a dinner with them not long ago. Perhaps
Mama considered her eminently forgettable?
"One meets all manner of people in London, Lady
Huntingdon. At times it requires tact and diplomacy to
deal with them." Marcus held Charis tightly to his
side, not allowing her to sidle away from him.
"Hmpf," the elder Lady Huntingdon replied.
"How thoughtful of you to see that I do not trip,
cousin," Charis said as they were about to enter one of
the carriages drawn up to take them to the hotel where
Sir William wished to entertain them with a late
supper. She had hoped to speak with Lord Pilkington,
and Marcus had thwarted her efforts.
"Oh, I have no doubt you will trip sooner or later. I
did not wish it to be here and now."
She gave him an affronted look before entering the
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carriage. It helped not the slightest that he followed
her into the vehicle and sat closely at her side.
"Beware, little cousin."
"You cannot do a thing to me. You are no more than
a distant cousin, after all."
"Yes, I know." Marcus spoke close to her ear, softly,
almost ominously.
It was not his words it was the way he said them
that sent tremors down her spine. Charis looked out of
the carriage window with unseeing eyes, wondering
how on earth she was going to find a husband when it
was clear to her that she found Marcus too interesting
by half.
The carriage drew to a halt, and they were escorted
into the Clarendon hotel, then to a private dining
room. Apparently the general had sent word ahead to
have everything in readiness for his group. It spoke
well of him and his ability to organize. He certainly
was the sort of man her mother would like. From what
Charis could tell, he seemed very nice.
Marcus made no effort to tease her once they were
in the hotel. Indeed, one might think he had not the
slightest awareness of her. None at all!
Indignant at his inconsistency, Charis turned to
poor Lord Pilkington. He might not turn her upside
down, but on the other hand he was comfortable, nice.
Sir William had ordered a splendid repast, and
Charis found she was far more hungry than she
realized. At her side Marcus also ate well. As for Lord
Pilkington, Charis wondered how he ate at all,
considering his tight garments. They did not look the
sort that offered comfort, but he inhaled lobster patties
with amazing appetite.
The evening drew to a predictable close. Sir William
asked to call on the elder Lady Huntingdon the
following day. Lord Pilkington did as well. Marcus
remained silent, but then he lived with them and
Charis doubted he would have called on them
regardless. She did not think she was the sort of
woman to appeal to him. Not when she considered
Lady Alicia and that Delilah creature. Perhaps Charis
was somewhere in between the two.
* * * *
Marcus listened to the steps of the women as they
went up to their rooms while he entered his library. He
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poured a generous glass of fine old brandy, then
settled on his favorite chair by the fire.
He must have been out of his mind this evening to
tease Charis as he had. But . . . Charis had been so
tempting. Little fool, playing with fire as she did. Flut-
tering her lashes and offering that seductive smile that
lit up those gorgeous green eyes. Did she have the
slightest notion of how appealing she was? Or the
effect that smile could have on a man?
Marcus glanced at the stack of mail that he had ig-
nored this afternoon. Idly he flipped through the
letters, then stiffened when he found one written on
lavender paper and addressed with violet ink. He did
not have to wonder who wrote this missive, but why
had she done so?
Considering how badly she wrote it took a little time
to make out her scribble. Not satisfied with the congé
gift, she thought she deserved more. Grasping, greedy
creature! She'd not get another farthing from him. He
was well rid of the chit. He had heard a rumor that one
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