On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens Read Free Book Online Page B

clearly needed someone to watch over her, someone with more muscle than dear Reggie.
    Cranbourne, Fitzgibbon and Walter were intent; given how long she’d spent allowing them to entertain her, they’d expect her shortly to choose from among them. And contrary to what she was expecting, accustomed as she was to the rules pertaining in ballroom and drawing room, a charming dismissal would not be well received.
    Reaching out, he took her hand; surprised, she glanced his way, throwing Walter, concluding some tale, off his stride. “My dear, I promised Helen—Lady Hennessey—that, given this is your first visit, I would make sure you became acquainted with all she has to offer.” He looked into Amanda’s blue eyes as he placed her hand on his sleeve. “It’s time we strolled on, or you’ll never see all before dawn.” He glanced at Walter, Cranbourne and Fitzgibbon. “I’m sure these gentlemen will excuse you.”
    They had little choice; none was game to challenge one of Helen’s edicts, a fact Martin had counted on. The three made their adieus, then withdrew. Martin considered Reggie. “I believe Miss Cynster would like another glass of champagne.”
    Reggie looked at Amanda.
    Who nodded, ringlets dancing. “Yes, I would.”
    Frowning, Reggie flicked a glance at Martin. “Just as long as you don’t do a bunk while I’m gone.”
    Martin suppressed a grin; perhaps Reggie was not as spineless as he’d thought. “She’ll be in this room, but we’ll be strolling.” He paused, eyes on Reggie’s. “It’s not wise to remain stationary for too long.”
    He saw horrified comprehension dawn, then Reggie nodded. “Right. I’ll find you.” With a disapproving glance at Amanda, he headed for the secondary salon.
    Martin scanned the room, then lowered his arm and waved Amanda on before him. Keeping her hand on his arm—keeping her that close—would be unwise. He wanted it seen that she was under his protection in the social sense; the last thing he wanted was for her ladyship’s guests to imagine that protection extended to a more personal state.
    As she walked ahead of him, tacking slowly through the crowd, she glanced back at him. “Are you really friends with Lady Hennessy?”
    â€œYes.” Helen was another who had the entree to the ton but had chosen to turn her back on it.
    Amanda slowed. “What did I do wrong?”
    He caught her eye, realized she meant the question to be as simple as it sounded. “If you spend much more than fifteen minutes conversing with one man, it will be inferred that you’re interested in pursuing some of those wilder pastimes you mentioned with him.”
    Her beautiful face blanked. “Oh.” Facing forward, she continued their slow amble. “That’s not what I intended.”
    She paused to acknowledge a greeting; he performed three introductions before they moved on. Closing the distance between them, he bent his head and murmured, “What did you intend?”
    She stopped; he nearly walked into her. Halted with a bare inch between her shoulders and his chest, her silk-clad bottom and his thighs. She looked back and up at him, met his eyes.
    He fought an urge to slide his arms about her and draw her back against him.
    â€œI want to live a little before I grow old.” She searched his eyes. “Is that a crime?”
    â€œIf it is, half the world’s guilty.”
    She looked forward and started strolling again. He took a firmer grip on his impulses, then followed. She glanced back. “I understand you’ve had a great deal of experience in ‘living.’ “
    â€œNot all of it pleasant.”
    She waved airily. “I’m only interested in the pleasurable aspects.”
    Her tone was straightforward, not facetious. She intended to seek out the pleasures of life while avoiding the pitfalls.
    If