Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero by Ginny Hartman Read Free Book Online

the lady, she was not surprised in the least to see that she was partnered with Lord Straton in the quadrille. Of course he would associate himself with a lady who blackmails men into getting what she wants, the unsavory character that he was.
    “Katherine,” Adel cut her sister off mid-sentence. “Do you know who that lady is in the lavender dress?”
    Katherine stood on tip toe and craned her neck to see above the crowds. “Which one? There are several wearing that very shade of purple.”
    “The one dancing with Lord Straton.”
    Katherine looked at her quizzically. “Why do you ask?”
    Adel bristled beside her. “I am not jealous, if that is what you are implying. I have simply never seen her before and wished to know who she was.” Adel always felt the worst lying to Katherine, though she knew her morally conscious and upright sister would never condone her writing for The Morning Post, making it impossible for her to confide in her, though at times she had longed to do just that.
    “Truthfully, I do not recall ever seeing her either. The quadrille is just ending, why do you not go ask for an introduction?”
    “Perhaps I will,” Adel said, knowing full well she wouldn’t. She couldn’t risk having any interaction with the lady and placing herself in a position of suspicion.
    Much to Katherine’s delight, a gentleman came and asked her hand for the next dance, which left Adel completely alone, watching as Lord Straton escorted the mystery lady off of the floor. Biting down the irritation she felt at having to speak to the oaf again, she swallowed her pride and faked enough courage to square her shoulders and march right over to where Lord Straton was standing.
    The first thing Adel noticed as she approached was that a thick lock of black hair had fallen roguishly across his forehead, making him appear even more wickedly handsome than normal. She inwardly chastised herself for thinking him handsome and forced herself to stare straight at his cravat while she spoke so as not to be distracted by his appearance.
    “Excuse me, Lord Straton, I would beg a moment of your time, if I must.”
    “If you must?” he asked dryly. Adel kept her eyes focused tightly on his cravat, noting the simple diamond stick pin that was encased within the folds of stark white fabric. “Have you reconsidered my earlier offer and come to tell me you have accepted my proposal?”
    Adel’s eyes snapped up to his in horror. She had not even considered that he might possibly draw that conclusion. “On the contrary, my lord. I do not wish to accept your proposal, nor do I wish to ever speak of it again. I simply wished to ask you the name of the lady you were just dancing with, that is all.”
    For a moment Adel imagined she saw a brief flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but quickly convinced herself that was a foolish notion. Lord Straton did not wish to marry her, he was just upset that his pride had been wounded was all.
    Giving her a rakish smile, Lord Straton reached for her arm, looping it through his as he headed towards the dance floor. “What are you doing?” Adel asked as she tried to pull her arm from his.
    “You cannot be so bold to come seeking a favor from me without being so courteous as to give me one in return. I will give you the information you seek in exchange for a dance.”
    Adel bristled at his side, but did not withdraw her hand. One dance was surely a fair exchange for the lady’s name. As they found a spot amongst the plethora of couples on the floor, the orchestra struck up a waltz. Adel pulled her hand back sharply and glared at Lord Straton, “You did this on purpose. You knew it would be a waltz.”
    Lord Straton ignored her discomfort and pulled her into his arms, his hand going around her waist and settling on her back protectively. “Ah yes. Did you not witness me bribing the orchestra to play a waltz next in between the time I escorted my last partner from the floor and the time that you