The Contraband Courtship (The Arlingbys Book 2) by Alicia Quigley Read Free Book Online

no hint of a rustic accent. “How kind of you to grace us with your presence.”
    Malcolm bowed over her hand punctiliously, and then straightened and looked her full in the face. “I am likewise delighted. But surely we have met before?”
    “Certainly, many times when we were much younger,” said Helena lightly. “I was a friend of your sister’s—I am afraid that you did not have much interest in me.”
    “How remiss of me,” Malcolm replied politely. “Surely everyone must have an interest in Miss Keighley. I have heard much about you.”
    Helena flushed, and Damaris, who had been eyeing them curiously, stepped into the breach. “How pleasant of you to visit us here in the wilds of Kent,” she said. “I have no doubt you will be dreadfully bored, as we have none of the amusements of London.”
    Helena gathered her composure. “My friend, Mrs. Honeysett,” she murmured. Malcolm smiled down at the buxom matron, well pleased to meet what he judged was a kindred spirit. In turn, he presented Mr. Delaney to the ladies, and Helena took the moment to regain her composure. When Malcolm looked at her again, her eyes were clear of emotion, and she held his gaze calmly.
    “Would you care to dance, Miss Keighley?” Malcolm asked. His voice brooked no refusal, and, while Helena pondered it briefly, she realized it would not be fair to lure him to the assembly and then refuse to cross swords with him.
    “Thank you, I would be glad to,” she said coolly, and placed her hand in his. His fingers closed over hers, and he led her towards the dance floor.
    “At least you play fair,” he observed.
    Helena glanced up at him. “My lord?”
    “Don’t be disingenuous; it doesn’t suit you. I suppose I should feel lucky that you did not continue your little charade, but instead have deigned to dance with me.”
    “I am not being disingenuous,” snapped Helena. “Although I rather wish I was at this point.”
    “Did you truly think I would not recognize you?”
    “I scarcely know what I thought. Do you kiss every serving girl you meet?”
    “Do you invariably pretend to be a serving girl?” responded Malcolm.
    “Of course I do not. I scarce had a moment to draw a breath before you were—you were upon me,” said Helena.
    “You might have said something to stop me.”
    “You might not have taken such liberties.”
    The pair glared at each other for a moment, and then it dawned on Malcolm that they had reached the set they intended to join. Schooling his features, he led Helena to their places. The dance began, and, as the ranking couple, Malcolm and Helena led. Despite his simmering annoyance, he was forced to admire the grace with which she moved, while she had privately to allow that he cut a dashing figure.
    When they reached the bottom of the set, they stood for some moments, Helena staring fixedly at a point on the wall above Malcolm’s shoulder, and Malcolm feigning a great interest in the actions of the couple currently dancing. The silence grew more fraught, and Helena eventually succumbed.
    “It will not do for us to appear to be uncivil to each other in front of so many of our neighbors,” she said.
    Malcolm turned his head to look at her. “I suppose not,” he agreed reluctantly.
    “I imagine we can find it possible to make some unexceptional conversation,” said Helena.
    “Do begin, please,” said Malcolm pleasantly.
    Helena searched her mind for something to say that did not reflect on their previous meeting or his shameful neglect of his estates. “Did you enjoy your trip from London to Kent?” she finally asked.
    “The weather was pleasant and the roads were dry. I did indeed enjoy it.”
    “I am happy for it.”
    There was a pause, and Helena raised her eyebrows at Malcolm. “Is it my turn?” he asked. “Ah, I see that it is. What lovely rooms these are, and so finely proportioned.”
    “I believe they are much admired, though I’m told those in Dover are finer,” replied