In The Prince's Bed by Sabrina Jeffries Read Free Book Online Page B

fellow with her, the rough-looking one.”
    “Who?” Katherine followed her mother’s gaze to where their hostess was approaching with Lord Iversley himself on her arm. Oh no, not him .
    “I don’t know why she’s so nice to that man,” Mama went on. “He’s probably her lover, some ill-bred army officer. But they usually wear uniforms—”
    Katherine couldn’t imagine Lord Iversley in any uniform but a dressing gown, a cigar, and a brandy glass. Like in one of those prints from Papa’s scandalous book, where a man entertained a woman of questionable moral fiber.
    The sort of woman who would let him kiss her— twice—on a gallery. Her heart began to pound. Surely he wouldn’t be so wicked as to reveal that, would he?
    “You don’t have to dance with him, you know, even if he asks,” Mama went on in a low voice. “Really, I can’t see why Lady Jenner is bringing him over here.”
    “Mama—”
    “Hush, now, let me handle this.” She smiled brightly as Lady Jenner and the earl reached them. “Good evening, my lady. I was just saying how lovely your ball is. Especially with all your pretty cherry blossoms everywhere. I have always found cherries to be hard on the constitution, but the blossoms—”
    “Thank you,” Lady Jenner interrupted coolly. “I’m so glad you like it.”
    “I’ve always said that the best place for dancing is at aLondonball,” Mama babbled on nervously, “the best music and the best dance floor and the most accomplished ladies and gentlemen. Haven’t I always told you that, dear?” Her mother didn’t pause for Katherine’s answer because she didn’t require one.
    “We get plenty of chances to dance in Heath’s End, mind you, but it’s not the same at those country balls, where the shopkeepers and farmers mingle with people of quality.” She shot Lord Iversley a mildly contemptuous look. “Though I suppose that even inLondonone can’t always avoid company of the wrong sort.”
    Mama paused for breath, and Lady Jenner leaped to halt the humiliating flow of words. “Lord Iversley has begged an introduction to you and your daughter, and of course I was happy to oblige him.”
    “L-Lord Iversley?” Mama’s gaze met the earl’s amused one. “ You’re the Earl of Iversley?”
    “So I’ve been told,” he said with an odd note of irony. Executing a perfect bow, he added, “And I’m most pleased to make your acquaintance, madam.”
    For once, Mama had the good sense to follow proper etiquette while introductions were performed. But when Katherine rose from a deep curtsy to meet the earl’s gaze, she realized she wasn’t safe yet. There Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html was no mistaking the humor glinting in those unearthly blue eyes. Oh, no. Surely he wouldn’t reveal—
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Merivale.”
    Relief swept through her, followed swiftly by anger that he’d given her such a fright. She flashed him an arch smile. “I’ve heard so much about you that I feel as if I know you already, my lord.”
    Lord Iversley cocked one eyebrow. “It’s not all bad, I hope.”
    “No more than usual for a young man returned toEnglandafter traveling abroad.”
    “Don’t you mean ‘cavorting’ abroad?”
    Katherine winced. Why had she been foolish enough to taunt him? Mama gave a nervous titter. “Cavorting, is it? How clever you are, my lord, with your bon mottes .”
    “ Bon mots , Mama,” Katherine corrected under her breath. Mama thought any approximation of a Frenchword was good enough.
    “No, your mother’s right,” the earl said smoothly. “I am being a clod. It’s wrong of me to assume you believe the gossip about me.”
    Not even his clever play on theFrench motte for “clod” could banish Katherine’s mortification. She’d been the clod, mentioning his reputation when he’d been perfectly civil so far. “I don’t know what gossip you mean, my lord.”
    “Don’t