Miss Quinn's Quandary by Shirley Marks Read Free Book Online Page B

waited.
    Larissa placed her hand lightly atop his arm and allowed him to
escort her into the night air.
    Once away from the other guests, Randall spun to face her. “What
the devil do you think you are doing here?”
    “I see no reason you should speak to me in that tone. I have not
done anything wrong.”
    “Haven’t done anything wrong?” Randall glanced into the ballroom making
sure they had not drawn unnecessary attention. “Do you know what would happen
should word get out about…about.” His voice softened to a whisper, “The
incident at The Blue Boar Inn?”
    “If you do not wish anyone to know about the incident, then I
suggest you do not speak of it. Even as a point of reference.”
    “I want to forget it ever happened. I don’t even want to
acknowledge I know you.”
    “Well, it’s a bit late for that, is it not? By addressing me by
name, you’ve just told an entire roomful of London Society that we are
acquainted. Not only know me, but know me well. As I have just agreed to see
you … alone. And at your request, I might add.”
    Randall stood silent. She was right. It had been a foolish
maneuver on his part.
    “By kissing me, you’ve made yourself quite well-known to me. I
could hardly ignore you, could I?” Larissa’s gaze was hard.
    “I think not. Well, you can take satisfaction in knowing it will
never happen again.”
    “No?” she squeaked. Almost as if she were disappointed.
    “No,” he repeated, his voice firm.
    “Was it so very improper?” Her eyes held him riveted. Randall
knew he could not allow himself to be swayed by her innocent appearance. He,
more than anyone, should know better.
    She’d told him that she had grown up in the confines of a girls’
seminary. He wondered if it was true. Surely, they must have taught more than
reading and writing, something about the social graces. After all, she had
known how to dance.
    “No, it is not proper for a man to kiss a woman in public—even if
they happen to be married to each other. It’s blatant, outrageous behavior.
Wholly unsuitable. That woman sitting across from us, Mrs. Briggs, drove me
into doing something rash.” He swallowed hard. Watching her for a moment
longer, he inhaled her scent, fresh and fragrant. He remembered the sweet taste
of her full lips. Now they were quite alone in the garden and at that moment he
found her very desirable.
    “Oh.” was Larissa’s only comment. How could she tell him she had
enjoyed it? He had been on her thoughts since they had parted. A single day had
not passed when she did not think of him. “It is permitted to partake in such
activities when alone, then?” She stared up at him, looking for guidance.
    Sir Randall tugged at the inside of his cravat with a finger. “I
shouldn’t even be speaking to you of such things.”
    “How shall I ever understand if I am not told?” she replied with
a hint of frustration.
    “What I mean to say is, I should not be the one informing you of
subjects of such a personal and delicate nature,” Sir Randall said in his own
defense. “I hope you enjoy your Season, for I do not expect we shall meet again.”
With those parting words, he sketched a bow and left.
    Larissa watched Sir Randall reenter the room and disappear into
the crowd. Sir Randall Trent was the last person she had expected to see. He
had been traveling to see his uncle, if she was not mistaken, and London had
never been mentioned as far as she could recall.
    Still, he was here. Sharing the same city, sharing the same
ballroom, and sharing the same memory. Only he wanted nothing more to do with
her. If he would not be willing to indulge her, she would find someone who
would.
    Larissa strolled into the room, tapping the end of her folded fan
on her fingertips. He wasn’t the only man around. She surveyed the room, there
were dozens. She liked what she had felt with Sir Randall when he kissed her
and decided she’d have more.
    Indeed, there would be no stopping her.
    Randall kept