Angel's Devil by Suzanne Enoch Read Free Book Online Page B

said loftily.
    "Ah, a
noble moniker, indeed."
    Angel was
enjoying the exchange. Anyone who thought Percival Alcott as great a fop as
she, and had the wherewithal to point it out, was definitely an ally.
    "And what
do you call that?" Alcott asked, indicating the marquis's grand stallion.
    "Demon,"
Abbonley answered promptly.
    Angelique
chuckled, then stopped as both men looked her way. One gaze was pale blue and
patronizing, the other wickedly amused emerald. She cleared her throat, seeing
her chance. "There is to be a recital tonight at the Countess of
Beaufort's. Lily and her mother will be going with Mama and me." She
turned to look at Simon. "Will you both be attending?' '
    Simon threw a
quick glance at the marquis, who shrugged.
    "It sounds
quite tolerable. Why not?"
    Angel smiled.
"Why not, indeed?"
    The rest of the
day seemed interminably long, and even after she arrived at the Countess of
Beaufort' s drawing room with her mother, Lily, and Lady Stanfred, she was hard-pressed
to keep from pacing. Most of the guests had arrived and were milling about the
entrance to the music room, but Simon and the marquis had yet to appear. Since
Abbonley was the only reason she'd suggested they all attend, she was beginning
to feel quite aggravated.
    Finally the two
gentlemen appeared at the top of the stairs. The unexpected presence of the
marquis immediately set the rest of the guests, most of them female, buzzing.
As soon as she spied Abbonley, the Countess of Beaufort parted from Lady
Andrews and elbowed her way through the crowd to greet him. It took the two
gentlemen several minutes to make their way over to Angelique's party, and she
smiled, mostly with relief, as Simon reached her side.
    "Angel,"
he greeted her, brushing her knuckles with his lips. "And Miss
Stanfred," he smiled, repeating the gesture. "Good evening,
ladies."
    "I had no
idea these functions were so popular," the marquis commented, taking her
hand in turn.
    "The countess serves exceedingly savory refreshments," Angel
explained, sotto voce, and he chuckled.
    "So that's
the secret. I thought it might be the music." Angelique glanced across the
room to see that the other guest she had been waiting for had also arrived.
"Mama," she said, "Excuse me for a moment. Lord Abbonley has
asked me to introduce him to someone."
    Camellia Graham
stifled a frown. "The recital is due to start any moment, darling, so
please hurry," she agreed reluctantly .
    The marquis was
eyeing her curiously, but followed her willingly enough. "My future
bride?" he queried at a whisper.
    "She meets
all of your requirements," Angel returned.
    "Miss
Peachley?"
    The tall young
woman, leaning against one wall and looking quite bored, turned her head.
"Yes, Lady Angelique?”the brunette answered, fingering her fashionable
cropped ringlets ..
    "May I
present James Faring, the Marquis of Abbonley? My lord, Miss Hester
Peachley."
    "Miss
Peachley," Abbonley said pleasantly, reaching for her fingers in his usual
bold manner.
    Miss Peachley
turned her wrist to shake his hand instead.
    "Abbonley,"
she returned. "I didn't know you attended recitals."
    "Oh, I
always enjoy something new," he offered, giving Angelique a suspicious
glance. "Your name sounds somewhat familiar to me."
    "Yes?
Perhaps you've read one of my articles. I am a supporter of women's
liberation."
    "Ah,"
he murmured. "Liberation from what, if I may ask?"
    "Men."
    "From the
subjugation of men, or from the presence of the male of the species?"
James queried pleasantly. His lips twitched, and Angelique thought he must be
amused. She stifled a smile.
    "Men have
used women as nothing more than procreative slaves for far too long. It is my
belief that this must-"
    "Angel,
we're going in," her mother hissed, pulling at her arm.
    "Excuse
me," Angelique muttered, reluctantly turning away.
    They found
themselves in the back row. Simon had seated himself next to Lily's mother, and
the three of them were discussing the Stanfred estate, only a mile or