Page 17 of Tempting the Marquess

Pull yourself together, Standish. Duty, remember?

Straightening his shoulders, William smiled apologetically. “Alas, I cannot today. But I did want to hand deliver this invitation to my birthday dinner. I’d quite happily ignore it, except Mrs. Kingsley has already begun preparations for six courses or some such thing. I’ve sent one to the Trenthams, plus Southby and Ardmore are coming.”

Then, oh-so-casually, he added, “Lady Samantha, you would be most welcome if you wished to accompany the Westleighs.”

Her cheeks went pinker, and she sucked in a deep breath. Hell. Her bodice.

Do not look at her damned bodice. It is not going to tear and reveal stays struggling to contain their succulent bounty. You will not get a glimpse of sweet raspberry nipples, begging to be licked and sucked…

“Your dinner party sounds lovely, Lord Standish. I would be delighted tocome.”

And I would be delighted to make you come. Several times.

William almost groaned out loud. He needed to get out of here before anyone saw the huge erection straining against his trousers. Stephen might think it was Caroline he lusted after, or correctly suspect Lady Samantha. Either way, he wouldn’t survive to this birthday, let alone any others. He’d be lying somewhere with a bullet through the heart.

“Excellent,” he said quickly. “Well then, I’d best continue on my way. Meeting to attend. See you all in a fewdays.”

With another riding crop salute, he turned Storm in a perfect arc and ruthlessly weaved between the other riders and curricles like a highwayman evading capture, and gallopedaway.

He was in so much trouble. And only sinking deeper into themire.

* * *

After another sleeplessnight thinking about the afternoon at Rotten Row, and ransacking her armoire and jewelry box in preparation for the dinner invitation, Samantha sat engrossed in one of her guilty pleasures—a Mrs. Radcliffe gothic novel—when a maid came to inform her that her parents were having breakfast and required her to jointhem.

Stunned but pleased, Samantha smoothed the wrinkles from her pale blue gown and hurried downstairs to the diningroom.

“Good morning, Papa. Mother,” she said, smiling as a footman held her chairout.

“Ah. Samantha,” her father replied, awkwardly clearing his throat. “Good to see you. Your mother and I thought breakfast together would be just the thing. Decent bite of bacon we’re having. You like bacon? Not one of those girls who picks like a sparrow, Ihope.”

“No, no, bacon is one of my favorites,” she said quickly. “And it smells delicious. Did you have a good day yesterday, Papa?”

“Indeed, indeed. Had a meeting which went very well. And you? What did you get upto?”

“I went riding with Stephen and Caroline in Hyde Park. It was so crowded we could hardlymove!”

From the other end of the long rectangular table, her mother looked up from her plate, actual interest on her face. “Oh? Anyone of note? Did you hear any good gossip?”

“It seemed like half of London was there, Mother. But you wouldn’t believe what happened,” Samantha continued, unable to keep the excitement from her tone. “Lord Standish stopped to talk, and he invited me to his birthday dinner! Stephen, Caroline, Lord and Lady Trentham, the Marquess of Ardmore, and the Duke of Southby are goingtoo!”

Eva shrieked. “Standish’s birthday dinner? Every woman in the country would give her right arm and left leg to attend that! And Ardmore and Southby there as well! Oh my word, you are a lucky girl. You’ll need a chaperone. I wouldbe—”

“Not necessary, my dear,” interrupted John, stabbing a kipper with his fork. “Stephen’s presence will suffice. But no doubt, daughter, for such an occasion something pretty is called for? A new gown, perhaps? And matching slippers?”

“Papa! You mean it?” Samantha said, almost squirming in her chair at this entirely unexpected treat. She hadn’t received anything new in years, and a dress that didn’t feel like it was strangling her now curvier figure would be marvelous.

“Of course Ido.”

“Well. A new gown,” said Eva peevishly. “Remember this moment, Samantha, he never offers to fund me any extra clothing.”

“Probably because you already spend a king’s ransom on nonsense,” her father snapped, then he paused and took a deep breath. “Stop by my library, m’dear, and I’ll give you some money. Amazing how helpful and swift a modiste can be when you clink the coins rather than tell them to send an account. Your mother will take you shopping.”

Samantha beamed at him. “How very kind! Thankyou.”

The earl coughed and rubbed his neck. “It has crossed my mind that I may have been a bit...neglectful...since you came back to town. And sometimes a little abrupt. No excuse, but I’ve been in the middle of a rather difficult business deal. You might have seen the effect the other day, when the delivery man washere.”

“You...you looked quite angry,” Samantha replied, very, very tentatively.