Page 18 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Annabelle,” Lady Consworth tugged on her arm.

“The two of you naked…” Lady Quincy tsked and shook her head in disapproval.

“Naked? That is a bald-faced lie,” Eve said. “I was fully clothed, as was Lord Rushton.”

“I did not see your sister arrive with you,” Lady Quincy said, “and I have not seen Lord Rushton. Is it possible they—” Her gaze jerked past Eve and her eyes widened.

Eve started to twist to see who approached, but a large body bumped into her back. She whirled to face a tall, blond gentleman.

“Pardon me,” he quickly said.

“Lord Paisley,” Lady Consworth said.

“Lady Consworth. Lady Quincy.” He looked expectantly at them and Lady Consworth finally said with a flutter of one hand, “Oh, Lord Paisley, may we present Miss Eve Crenshaw.”

He once again faced Eve and this time grasped her hand. “Miss Crenshaw.” He bent over her fingers, his face angled slightly away from the other ladies. His eyes lifted to meet hers in the instant his mouth brushed her hand, and he winked.

Eve blinked.

He straightened, his face all respectability. “Again, my apologies for ramming into you.”

“You did not ram into me,” she said. “But thank you, my lord, I am unharmed.”

“I am immensely relieved.” He turned his attention to Lady Quincy. “I believe I saw your brother a moment ago, Lady Quincy. He was looking for you.”

Surprise flickered in Lady Quincy’s eyes, followed by suspicion, but she quickly demurred. “Thank you, my lord. I will find him.”

“Allow me to escort you. The crowd here is the largest I have seen tonight. You are sure to be trampled.”

Her mouth pinched in obvious frustration.

“Lady Consworth,” he said. “Perhaps you would like to accompany us.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” She took the arm he proffered.

He canted his head toward Eve. “Very nice to have met you, Miss Crenshaw.” Then he led them away.

Eve stared. What had just happened? Why had a gentleman she didn’t know winked at her? Were the malicious things Lady Quincy and Lady Consworth said a part of the gossip that others believed? Did Lord Paisley believe—understanding struck. Lord Paisley had bumped into her as she was about to say things that would have gotten her deeper into trouble. He had saved her, and the wink had been his way of telling her so. He must have been standing on the other side of the column and—oh Lord, how much of their conversation had he overheard?

“Miss Crenshaw.”

Eve jumped, then silently groaned when recognition struck. Of all the people who could ruin her plans, Lord Richard Somerset was that man. It had been too much to hope that she wouldn’t encounter him tonight. She forced a smile and faced him.

“My lord.” She extended her hand.

He lightly grasped her fingers, bowed, then released her. “Am I fortunate enough to be the first to claim a dance?”

“I have only just arrived and—”

“Good. I want to speak with you.”

Private conversation with Lord Somerset was the last thing she wanted, but she could find no way to protest as he led her onto the dance floor. Her heart sank when the orchestra struck up a country dance. They would be on the dance floor for half an hour. He pulled her into the line of dancers and took his place opposite her. They approached one another in time to the music, bowed, then backed into their former positions. She stepped with her left foot, then the right, and everyone in line followed as one, until the partners again approached one another and slowly circled each other.

“Did you receive my card?” he asked.

“I did. Thank you.”

“I will call him out, Eve.”