disaster.
Then Hathersage threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
Every head in the room turned. Every eye was riveted.
By the time Hathersage returned Elenora to Bennett and Margaret, the line of gentlemen waiting to
request a dance extended from the potted palms all the way to the entrance to the card room.
“Consider the favor repaid in full,” Bennett told Hathersage.
“On the contrary,” Hathersage said, still chuckling. “This has been the most entertaining evening I have
had in a long time.”
12
Arthur braced both hands on the balcony railing and searched the crowded ballroom for Elenora. It was
after midnight, and he was not in a good mood. He had just concluded another night of inquiries that had
yielded few results. Granted, he had discovered more information concerning one of the mysterious
snuffboxes that he sought, but so many other questions remained unanswered. He had the inexplicable
sensation that time was running out quickly.
It took him a few minutes to spot Elenora. When he did catch a glimpse of her gleaming dark hair on the
far side of the ballroom, he finally realized why it had been so difficult to find her: She was surrounded by
a sea of males, all of whom appeared to be vying eagerly for her attention.
She was chatting in an extremely familiar manner with a circle of gentlemen she could not possibly have
met before tonight. Not only that but her high-waisted, emerald-colored gown was cut far too low,
revealing too much of her soft bosom and gently molded shoulders. She glowed like some exotic jewel,
one he was certain that every man in the vicinity coveted.
Where were Bennett and Margaret? he wondered. They were supposed to be keeping an eye on the
situation.
As he watched, one of the gentlemen near Elenora bowed over her gloved fingers and escorted her out
onto the dance floor. Whatever she was saying to her companion must have been vastly amusing, Arthur
decided grimly. The man was grinning like a fool.
His evening had been deteriorating for the past few hours, he thought. The sight of his phony fiancée
enjoying herself on the dance floor with a complete stranger was the last straw. Matters were clearly out
of control down there in the ballroom.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
He shoved himself away from the railing and started toward the stairs.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your charming fiancée, St. Merryn,” a familiar voice drawled behind
him.
He paused and looked back at the tall man coming toward him along the balcony. “Hathersage.”
“I had the great pleasure of dancing with Miss Lodge earlier this evening. A most unusual lady.”
Hathersage stopped and glanced down at the dancers. He chuckled. “Indeed, I am giving serious
consideration to employing your strategy in my own search for a wife.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, I am referring to your brilliant notion of interviewing candidates for the position at an agency that
specializes in supplying paid companions, of course.”
Arthur’s blood ran cold. Had Elenora told Hathersage the whole truth about the deception? Surely not.
“She mentioned the agency?” he asked warily.
“I vow it was the most amusing tale I have heard in weeks.” Hathersage replied. “It will be on
everyone’s lips tomorrow. Such lively wit is a valuable asset in a wife, just as it is in any other type of
companion.”
Elenora had given Hathersage the truth, but because it was so outrageous, he had not believed it, Arthur
realized, relaxing somewhat.
The rest of the Polite World would follow Hathersage’s lead, he thought. All was well.
“She is quite unique,” Arthur said.
“Indeed.” Hathersage’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You will want to keep an eye on her, St. Merryn. I
wouldn’t be surprised to discover that some of those men hanging around her down there right now are
already plotting to lure her away from
Then Hathersage threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
Every head in the room turned. Every eye was riveted.
By the time Hathersage returned Elenora to Bennett and Margaret, the line of gentlemen waiting to
request a dance extended from the potted palms all the way to the entrance to the card room.
“Consider the favor repaid in full,” Bennett told Hathersage.
“On the contrary,” Hathersage said, still chuckling. “This has been the most entertaining evening I have
had in a long time.”
12
Arthur braced both hands on the balcony railing and searched the crowded ballroom for Elenora. It was
after midnight, and he was not in a good mood. He had just concluded another night of inquiries that had
yielded few results. Granted, he had discovered more information concerning one of the mysterious
snuffboxes that he sought, but so many other questions remained unanswered. He had the inexplicable
sensation that time was running out quickly.
It took him a few minutes to spot Elenora. When he did catch a glimpse of her gleaming dark hair on the
far side of the ballroom, he finally realized why it had been so difficult to find her: She was surrounded by
a sea of males, all of whom appeared to be vying eagerly for her attention.
She was chatting in an extremely familiar manner with a circle of gentlemen she could not possibly have
met before tonight. Not only that but her high-waisted, emerald-colored gown was cut far too low,
revealing too much of her soft bosom and gently molded shoulders. She glowed like some exotic jewel,
one he was certain that every man in the vicinity coveted.
Where were Bennett and Margaret? he wondered. They were supposed to be keeping an eye on the
situation.
As he watched, one of the gentlemen near Elenora bowed over her gloved fingers and escorted her out
onto the dance floor. Whatever she was saying to her companion must have been vastly amusing, Arthur
decided grimly. The man was grinning like a fool.
His evening had been deteriorating for the past few hours, he thought. The sight of his phony fiancée
enjoying herself on the dance floor with a complete stranger was the last straw. Matters were clearly out
of control down there in the ballroom.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
He shoved himself away from the railing and started toward the stairs.
“Allow me to congratulate you on your charming fiancée, St. Merryn,” a familiar voice drawled behind
him.
He paused and looked back at the tall man coming toward him along the balcony. “Hathersage.”
“I had the great pleasure of dancing with Miss Lodge earlier this evening. A most unusual lady.”
Hathersage stopped and glanced down at the dancers. He chuckled. “Indeed, I am giving serious
consideration to employing your strategy in my own search for a wife.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why, I am referring to your brilliant notion of interviewing candidates for the position at an agency that
specializes in supplying paid companions, of course.”
Arthur’s blood ran cold. Had Elenora told Hathersage the whole truth about the deception? Surely not.
“She mentioned the agency?” he asked warily.
“I vow it was the most amusing tale I have heard in weeks.” Hathersage replied. “It will be on
everyone’s lips tomorrow. Such lively wit is a valuable asset in a wife, just as it is in any other type of
companion.”
Elenora had given Hathersage the truth, but because it was so outrageous, he had not believed it, Arthur
realized, relaxing somewhat.
The rest of the Polite World would follow Hathersage’s lead, he thought. All was well.
“She is quite unique,” Arthur said.
“Indeed.” Hathersage’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You will want to keep an eye on her, St. Merryn. I
wouldn’t be surprised to discover that some of those men hanging around her down there right now are
already plotting to lure her away from
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