The Rogue's Reluctant Rose by Daphne du Bois Read Free Book Online Page B

and into a small conservatory, lit with candles and full of Lady Huston’s prized hothouse flowers. A few other people had opted to take a break from the dancing and the crowd and enjoy the greenery.
    “Miss Barrington,” began Sir Timothy quietly, as she took a seat on an ornate bench. Araminta felt her stomach clench in anticipation at the slightly nervous look on his face. She knew just what he was about to ask her.
    “Miss Barrington, I imagine you are wondering why I have led you out here, when, no doubt, you would much rather be dancing. Though I assure you, I have good reason — ” He did not finish what he was about to say, because at that moment a voice cut in.
    “Miss Barrington! There you are.”
    Araminta looked up into Jasper Devereaux’s unreadable grey eyes and felt her breath catch. She had been so close. What did he want with her? Chestleton caught the flash of irritation across her face and smirked.
    “Hallo, Stanton,” he greeted lightly. “I hope I am not interrupting anything important? But you see, the young lady here is something of an acquaintance of mine, and she promised me a dance quite a while back, though I fear she has forgotten. Very understandable, of course, Miss Barrington, in all the excitement. You would not begrudge a dance to an old family friend, would you, Stanton?”
    Araminta’s startled eyes met his challenging ones and her jaw clenched. She was outraged and furious, and she could tell that Chestleton was playing some sort of game, though she did not understand the rules.
    “I would not, Chestleton.” The baronet did not falter in his gracious reply, though he looked uncertainly at Araminta, giving her a questioning look. Araminta wondered what to do. She was certain Sir Timothy had been about to propose marriage to her, though she knew now that the moment was ruined. She knew she ought to deny any knowledge of such a promise and send Chestleton away. And yet, she thought as her heart pounded in her ears, the look in his eyes told her he was up to something, and perhaps she was better off knowing what that was.
    “Yes,” she finally said, though somewhat reluctantly, before smiling apologetically at the baronet. “Yes, I fear that Lord Chestleton is correct. I had forgotten. Please, excuse me, Sir Timothy.”
    “Not at all, Miss Barrington. I shall see you after your dance. Chestleton.” With a nod at the other man and a soft smile at Minta, the baronet left to re-join the party.
    Araminta waited for Sir Timothy to be out of hearing range before turning her ire on the amused marquis.
    “I can’t imagine what you think you’re doing, Lord Chestleton. I do not owe you any dance. Whatever will Sir Timothy think now?” she hissed furiously, glaring daggers at the tall lord.
    Chestleton chuckled, privately admiring the sparkle anger lent to her eyes and the pink flush on her cheeks as she railed at him. “I wouldn’t worry about that, my dear. I am only claiming a dance with a pretty young woman — you are certainly a diamond of the first water, Miss Barrington, if you’ll permit me to say so. But you look quite flustered. Did I interrupt something important after all? An offer of marriage, perhaps? Ah, but then I arrived just in time to save poor Stanton from himself, didn’t I?”
    “I beg your pardon?” Araminta could feel her anger grow, but through the haze of fury, she felt the slightest prickling of dread.
    “Ah, look, the dance is starting, my dear. We had better join the line, else your beloved Sir Timothy might think all is not as it should be.” He offered her his arm in a gesture that she felt to be a mockery of Sir Timothy’s good manners. She accepted with a strained smile.
    “Of course, my lord .” Her voice dripped sarcasm, Chestleton noted with pleasure as he led her out.
    Araminta waited for the dance to start before she spoke again, careful to keep her voice low enough not to be overheard by the other dancers.
    “What exactly did you