Proper Scoundrel by Annette Blair Read Free Book Online Page B

said, getting back to his original tease. “Wait until you see her.”
     
    “I’m that transparent, am I?”
     
    “Only to me.”
     
    “What made you suspect Jade would rattle my foundations?”
     
    Ivy shrugged. “Same instinct that told me you’d rattle hers.”
     
    Marcus forgot his purpose. “She’s not half as rattled as I am. Is she? Say yes.”
     
    Ivy laughed. “Give me that neck-cloth.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    Marcus couldn’t stand to play one more round of cards, because he couldn’t bear another minute away from Jade. He didn’t give a damn if he was playing Whist or Piquet, a fact brought to his attention by his annoyed Whist partner when he unwisely led with trumps.
     
    The conversation he instigated told Marcus that the people of Lewes, Newhaven, and the surrounding areas were split in regards to the arrival of the railroad. The shipbuilders and brewers were for it, for obvious reasons—increased profits because of the ability the railroad would give them to ship and receive more goods more quickly.
     
    Some villagers thought the railroad could make the small port of Newhaven important enough to set it up as a link to France. Many wanted the rails because they would bring tourists whose money could turn the dreary seaside village into a prime watering hole, which would increase revenue in the surrounding villages as well. Others did not want it because it would bring tourists, who brought riff-raff, who would destroy their lovely seaside village and its surrounds.
     
    Nothing new in that.
     
    His card-partner prompted him to take his turn, so Marcus made his move.
     
    There appeared no apparent or dramatic reason why anyone might sabotage construction. Oh, one man said he’d blow the dirty heaving monster up if it came any closer, but people who made such blowhard statements liked the sounds of their own voices and never acted on their lofty—
     
    The game ended suddenly, and by his partner’s black looks, Marcus realized he must have done something to hasten its speedy demise. Just as well. “I’m done for, gentlemen,” he said. “Thank you for your company.” Marcus downed the rest of his whiskey and rose.
     
    He needed to see Jade. Talk with her. Touch her. Dance with her. He’d sent a generous tip with a request to the orchestra for a supper waltz. Confirmation that his petition would be granted had arrived shortly thereafter.
     
    He exited the card room via the upper floor terrace, so he could enter the ballroom with a full view of the assemblage. When he arrived, he did not need to look hard.
     
    Jade shone like the sun beaming down upon a garden of fading flowers.
     
    As he approached, his heart quickened its beat. Yellow silk perfectly complimented Jade’s colouring, the effect enhanced by the peach silk rosebuds in her hair, between her breasts, and marching down an inverted “V” from waist to hem. Unlike the women about her, Jade wore a slim skirt, rather than a flared, a mode she favoured. He was no more surprised that his scandal chose style over fashion than he’d been that she’d decided—at her grandmother’s request—not to observe mourning. In both cases, to do otherwise would be too much like following the rules.
     
    Like a stately goddess, she watched him approach, while his pulse raced for knowing he would soon hold her in his arms.
     
    He bowed before her with decorous formality when he wished nothing more than to sweep her into a kiss and feast on the delicious confection she resembled.
     
    She curtseyed like an ice queen.
     
    “I adore you,” he whispered, to start her melt, and touched his lips to her inner wrist when she presented her hand.
     
    She fluttered her fan to conceal her reaction, but her eyes above the flare hinted at a scandal’s smile.
     
    Her girls, Marcus realized, stood beside her, and even he knew that they should be dancing. Were the men in Newhaven blind?
     
    “I’ll start them off,” he whispered to