The Importance of Being Wicked by Miranda Neville Read Free Book Online Page B

ladies. Given his impression of Mrs. Townsend’s careless attitude to propriety, he didn’t count on their being adequately disguised. Damnation! She was not a fitting chaperone for her cousin, who deserved the careful protection due a great heiress and future duchess.
    Having paid his entrance fee, he was proven right. Not immediately, because a small woman didn’t stand out in the busy foyer, but soon he caught a glimpse of Mrs. Townsend. She stood next to a pair of great doors through which the sounds of music and revelry emerged. Yes, she was masked, but she needn’t have bothered. A narrow strip of black velvet covered her eyes and not much else. Anyone who knew her would recognize the pert nose, the lush red mouth, the assertive little chin. Aside from that excuse for a mask, she was dressed in the new fashion that left a lady half-naked. The miniature bodice of her white gown left a good deal of pale flesh on view to the hoi polloi. He found himself torn between conflicting desires to explore it with his hands and bundle her in a blanket. Of Miss Brotherton, there was no sign.
    Mrs. Townsend watched the arrivals passing through the entrance. A man approached her, a drunken cit judging by his swaying gait and plain town garb. Thomas prepared to intervene, but the fellow accepted her negative shake of the head and staggered on.
    Then she saw him and smiled, as innocently as his sister Maria accepting his escort to church. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she said gaily.
    The frustrations of the evening welled in his chest. “We had an engagement. You could have had the courtesy to inform me of your change of plans.”
    â€œI did, eventually. And now you are here. I wasn’t entirely sure you’d follow us. You might have preferred to remain at Almack’s and court a less-demanding bride.”
    â€œCertainly less troublesome.”
    â€œAlso less rich. You should expect to go to a little trouble for such a prize.”
    She aimed to provoke him. He took a deep breath and determined to disappoint her. “Since you expected me, I hope I haven’t kept you waiting too long.”
    â€œI guessed you would remain at Almack’s until eleven and a big man like you, accustomed to country life, is doubtless a swift walker. You are remarkably punctual.”
    â€œAnd you,” he replied, “are remarkably recognizable. That ridiculous mask wouldn’t fool anyone who’d ever set eyes on you.”
    â€œIn that case, I’ll take it off.” She tossed him a defiant look and suited action to words. She was trying to annoy him, and succeeding too.
    â€œYou shouldn’t be alone in such a public place.”
    â€œI’m accustomed to taking care of myself.”
    He shuddered to think of what could happen to such a delicate creature. Did she have no idea of the dangers of such mixed company? An appalled thought struck him. “I don’t see Miss Brotherton. Please don’t tell me she’s in there without an escort.”
    â€œOliver came with us. She’s dancing with him now.”
    Of course. Who else? “Is Bream up to the task of protecting a young lady in such a place?”
    â€œThe crowd seems good-natured, and Annabella isn’t dressed in a manner to attract much attention.”
    Bringing her to a sense of propriety was a doomed endeavor. “Why do you call her that?” he asked instead.
    â€œI renamed her when we were children. Anne ’s a plain name, and she’s my beautiful cousin.” She spoke without irony, and Thomas liked her better for her uncritical affection.
    He peered over her shoulder. “Do you have any idea where she and Bream are?”
    â€œWe’ll have to find them among the dancers. You’d better dance with me. We’ll look foolish otherwise.”
    Despite the fact that he’d never been asked to dance by a lady, Thomas wasn’t unwilling. They would indeed