certain uneasiness
that was new to him. It was clear Victoria
Huntington was fond of mischief, and this
brand of mischief could land her in serious
trouble.
Do you go about like this often, Miss
Huntington?" Lucas was aware he had
automatically used the tone of voice that
in the past he had reserved for young
officers under his command who had
landed themselves in trouble. He could
not help himself. He was irritated.
This is my first experiment with men's
clothes, sir. But to be truthful, I shall
probably be strongly tempted to try it again
in the future. I find that the masculine
attire affords me far more freedom than
I have when I wear women's clothes,"
Victoria admitted.
It certainly affords you a far greater
opportunity for bringing down a wave of
humiliation and social disaster on your
lovely head, Miss Huntington. If it got
out that you have a taste for running
around London at night dressed as a man,
your reputation would be in shreds within
twenty-four hours."
Victoria wrapped her fingers even more
firmly around the handle of her walking
stick." What an odd thing for you to say,
sir. Do you know, your attitude quite takes
me by surprise. I would have thought you
less of a prig. I suppose the card game at
the ball misled me. Don't you have any
taste for adventure? No, I suppose you
don't. You are, after all, a good friend
of Lady Atherton's are you not?"
The woman was deliberately baiting him.
Lucas wished very strongly that they were
alone in the carriage." I do not know what
you are implying, Miss Huntington, but
I assure you, Lady Atherton is above
reproach."
Well, yes, that is just the point. Everyone
knows Jessica Atherton would never in a
million years allow herself to be found in
this carriage on her way to the fair tonight,"
Victoria declared.
Annabella giggled again " That is cer
tainly the truth."
Are you implying Lady Atherton is a
prig?" Lucas demanded.
Victoria shrugged, the movement sur
prisingly sensual in the well-cut jacket.
I mean no offense, my lord. Just that
she isn't the sort of female who enjoys
adventure. One naturally has to assume
that her friends are equally limited in
their choice of entertainment and equally
disapproving of those who have broader
tastes."
And you are a woman who enjoys
adventure?" stone vale baited.
Oh, yes, my lord. I enjoy it very
much."
Even though it carries with it the risk
of ruining yourself in Society?"
There would be no real adventure if
there were no real risk, would there, my
lord? I would have thought a successful
game ster such as yourself would under
stand that."
Her words made him more uneasy than
ever." You may be right, Miss Huntington.
But I have always preferred risks in which
the odds were at least somewhat in my
favor."
How very dull your life must be, sir."
Lucas instinctively started to react to the
goading remark but caught himself in time.
His self-control reasserted itself, along with
his sense of reason. The last thing he could
afford now was to have his quarry declare
him a priggish bore. His instincts told him
Victoria would respond to a challenge or
even an all-out battle of wills, but she
would ignore him entirely if he managed
to bore her.
A priggish bore. Good God. The thought
of that label stuck on him was enough to
make him laugh. It was certainly not the
usual description applied to his character.
But around Miss Huntington, Lucas
discovered, he was rapidly developing
a most uncharacteristic regard for the
proprieties. He was still in shock from
the sight of her in men's clothes.
Victoria was no longer paying any
attention to him, however. She was
smiling at Annabella." So you decided
to turn down Barton's offer, did you? I
am happy to hear it. The man would have
made you a perfectly horrid husband."
I am convinced you are right," Annabella
shuddered delicately." I might have