His Lordship's Chaperone by Shirley Marks Read Free Book Online Page B

intervene in a thrice, he
could allow this scene to play out—perhaps even enjoying himself.
    The Grace with which she moved, the lilting voice
and the soft, pleasant scent, were factors working together, convincing him to
remain in her company. He need not worry about leaping out a window or into a
fountain to escape when the time came.
    After all, was he not a man? Haverton stepped
toward her and she moved back, her feet skidded across the flagstone in quick,
nervous retreat.
    Interesting … what was she playing at? Her words
might have suggested an invitation but her actions told Haverton otherwise.
    Go on—go on, Honoria, Lady Darlington urged
silently from her darkened corner. She had told her daughter to be forthright,
daring, and bold!
    What was her daughter waiting for? All the girl had
to do was embrace him. In turn, he would embrace her. Discovering the couple in
a kiss would not hurt their cause either.
    An innocent young lady on her first year out, such
as her Honoria, would certainly fall victim to a known roué such as Haverton.
Lady Darlington would step out and catch him— them together—and the deed would be done.
    “Go on, Honoria, go on,” Lady Darlington whispered.
    Honoria stepped forward—finally. Yes, that’s it.
She held out her hand, reaching for the Marquess.
    “That’s it, that’s it.” Take hold of his coat
lapel, just as I told you, then slide your hand around his neck. “Closer, now,
closer—”
    Someone stepped toward the couple from the far side
of the courtyard. “I beg your pardon.” It was a woman.
    Honoria drew away from Lord Haverton and stepped
back.
    “Excuse me,” a woman’s voice interrupted. “I’m
afraid I must ask that if you wish to converse with his lordship, young lady,
you should do so from a distance.”
    Who was she? Lady Darlington’s chest tightened. Who
was this … this … intruder? Just when Honoria was making progress!
    Honoria broke into tears and fled toward the house,
burying her face in her hands.
    Lady Darlington nearly stepped out of her hiding place
and pushed that hussy back into the ballroom.
    “Pity, don’t know who that young woman was,”
Haverton said to the unwelcome woman. “But she was a fetching thing.”
    “Have I acted improperly, my lord?”
    “No, Mrs. Hayes. You have done precisely what I had
wished.”
    Mrs. Hayes? What Lady Darlington could not fathom
was what was Mrs. Hayes doing here? And who, exactly, she was.
    The Marquess peered around the garden. Catherine
followed the path of Lord Haverton’s gaze around the darkened perimeter.
    “Unless I miss my guess, her mother is hiding
somewhere, standing ready to pounce when the moment proved right,” he said.
    The man was simply too much. Did he really think
women were lying in wait for him? Or looking at him as the prize to be won?
    “Mrs. Hayes, I believe I’ve had enough fresh air
for the time being. Let us join the other guests, shall we?”
    Catherine followed Haverton into the house. She
stopped before entering and made a final scan of the shadows surrounding the
garden. A movement caught her attention. Was it the turn of a leaf in the
gentle breeze? Perhaps the scurry of a rodent? Or was there truly someone out
there hiding?
    Entering the ballroom, the Marquess met his
companions Sir Giles, Lord Fitzgerald, and Mr. Brewster where he had left them
earlier.
    “What’s going on out there, Haverton?” Sir Giles
gave a half-interested glance out the French doors. “A young girl’s just run
through here like the hounds were after her.”
    “Another near miss, I’m afraid.” Haverton
straightened the cuffs of his shirt.
    Fitzgerald looked over Haverton’s jacket. “You
don’t appear to have damaged your coat—and you have managed to keep from
climbing into the trees.” He lifted the Marquess’ arm, checking on the
condition of his coat sleeve.
    “You’re dry,” Brewster told the surrounding gentlemen.
“You missed hiding out in the fountain. How’d