Page 12 of Arcane Entanglement
Evander had already spotted the cause of her concern. Lord Fairfax was currently engaged in conversation with a stout matron with steely grey hair who’d been hidden from view by the leafy fronds of the fern.
Lady Agnes Wentworth was one of London’s most notorious matchmakers.
Evander had fallen victim to one of her matrimonial snares in the past and was keen not to experience such unpleasantness any time soon. The older woman wasn’t a fan of Ginny and had been at the source of the vicious rumours that had branded the young woman as little more than a glorified prostitute when she first gained a reputation as a high end courtesan.
Evander was one of a small number of people who knew that Ginny was incredibly particular about who she allowed in her bed chambers. No amount of money could convince her to sleep with someone she wasn’t attracted to. And the odd men who had tried to be forceful in their amorous advances soon discovered that Ginny’s physical interests lay beyond horseback riding and a game of croquet.
“Judging from Fairfax’s glazed expression, the subject matter Lady Wentworth is currently discussing is boring him out of his mind,” Evander observed warily. “Maybe we should leave them a moment. Lady Wentworth is bound to lose interest soon.”
Ginny’s expression darkened behind her fan. “Care to bet?”
Evander’s stomach sank.
Chapter6
Lady Wentworth was introducinga beautiful brunette with large, doe-like blue eyes and perfect porcelain skin who’d been standing demurely a short distance away to Lord Fairfax.
“The man buried his wife two summers ago,” Ginny said between gritted teeth. “Now that witch wants to pawn the Miller girl off to him?!”
Ophelia Miller was the daughter of Baron Edward Miller, a member of the House of Lords known for his philanthropic work. Though it was her first season, Evander had no doubt it would be her last. She was without a doubt the current belle of London society.
He’d even heard of a wager at several clubs betting she would be off the marriage mart come the end of autumn.
“Surely there are gentlemen of more consequence that she could be introducing Miss Miller to?” Evander murmured.
“A rumour reached my ear last week,” Ginny said darkly. “Lord Fairfax will soon be coming into a considerable inheritance, courtesy of a dead aunt in Scotland. It seems that old hag heard it too.”
Evander swallowed a sigh. Old hag seemed a harsh, if appropriate term for Lady Wentworth. He glanced at his companion.
“Is that why you chose Fairfax as a potential business partner?”
“It wasn’t the only reason.” Ginny furrowed her brow. “I have it from a reliable source that he makes regular contributions to charities that offer aid to thralls. I believe he is someone who could be of benefit to our cause.” She stiffened, another unladylike curse tumbling from her lips.
The centre of the ballroom was clearing, the piano quartet preparing to perform the first of the evening’s dance music. Lady Wentworth was urging a beleaguered Lord Fairfax and an awkward-looking Miss Miller towards the emptying floor.
Ginny snapped her fan closed and shoved it in her reticule. “Time to save my future business partner.” She grabbed Evander’s hand and dragged him towards the battlefield, her face full of a single-minded determination he had seen far too many times before and that made him bite back a groan. “You take the girl.” She side-eyed Evander like he was the worst rake in London. “And do try not to break her heart, will you?”
Horror rounded Lady Wentworth’s eyes when Ginny barged into the middle of her attempts to browbeat Lord Fairfax onto the dance floor.
“Ah. There you are, Lord Fairfax.” Ginny placed herself squarely between her nemesis and her mark for the night. “I believe you promised me a dance.” She offered Fairfax her gloved hand.
Lord Fairfax blinked owlishly. Relief and gratitude filled his eyes in the next instant. “Indeed I did, Lady Hartley.” He murmured an apology to Lady Wentworth and Miss Miller, before whisking Ginny onto the dance floor.
Lady Wentworth opened and closed her mouth soundlessly, her face so puce Evander feared she would bust a blood vessel. The matchmaker twisted around and glowered at him like he was the one who’d stolen away Lord Fairfax.
Evander dipped his head politely. “Lady Wentworth. A pleasure as always.” He turned to the young woman beside her and bowed. “Miss Miller, Duke Evander Ravenwood at your service. Would you do me the honour of this dance?”
Miss Miller hesitated. She shot a worried look at her livid chaperone, came to a decision, and bobbed gracefully. “Of course, your Grace.”
Evander took her gloved hand and guided her expertly into a waltz under Lady Wentworth’s death stare and the hungry gazes of the assembled nobility.
Miss Miller slowly relaxed when her chaperone disappeared from view.
“You are very light on your feet, Miss Miller,” Evander said when they reached the other side of the ballroom.
Miss Miller blushed slightly. “So are you, your Grace.” Her gaze flitted to Ginny where she and Lord Fairfax were already engaged in a lively conversation as they spun around the dance floor. “Won’t Lady Hartley mind you dancing with me? I hear she is quite the fearsome woman.”
Evander blinked, surprised at her forthrightness. He studied the young woman in his arms with fresh eyes.
