Page 22 of Redemption of a Marquess

Jeanine turned slightly and looked up at Lord Gordon. The burgundy coat really was horrid.

“Why not?” the handsome gentleman said. “Such talent shouldn’t go to waste.”

“This is exactly what I feared,” Lord Gordon said.

“I was certain it was something else you feared, my dear,” the marquess drawled.

Lord Gordon pointedly ignored him. “Miss Matheson, would you care to have a glass of punch with me?”

The handsome gentleman stood. “You are too late, Gordon. The lady has agreed to take a turn around the room with me.” He looked at the marquess. “With your permission, of course, my lord.”

His attention shifted to the handsome gentleman. “You will not leave the parlor.”

“Of course not.” The handsome gentleman smiled at her.

She would have refused, but remembered the refreshments table on the other side of the room. An escort would be nice, not to mention, the marquess was likely not to let her go too far out of his sight alone. She rose, and the other men stood as the marquess pulled her chair out for her.

Jeanine faced the handsome gentleman. “Oh, dear, I don’t know your name.”

“That is my fault,” his lordship said.

“You are going to allow Miss Matheson to-to go off with a man she hasn’t been introduced to?” Lord Gordon cried.

“I don’t think it’s as bad as all that,” Lord Northington said. “A turn around the room isn’t ‘going off’ with someone. And I was about to introduce her to Mr. Westland. Mr. Westland, may I introduce my ward, Miss Matheson.”

Mr. Westland grasped her hand and bent over her fingers. “An honor to meet you, Miss Matheson.”

“You’re not angry that I beat you at cards?” she asked. “My cousins would get so angry when I beat them, they wouldn’t play with me for weeks. Eventually, they would need another player and be forced to ask me to play.”

Mr. Westland smiled. “I am not at all angry.”

She smiled. “Good. Otherwise, it would be awkward for us to walk together.”

“Indeed,” he said with a laugh, then extended an arm. Jeanine laid her hand atop his as they started away, and behind her Lord Gordon said, “I must protest.”

“At least he didn’t protest while pointing a pistol,” Phillips mumbled.

The table went dead silent and Jeanine glanced over her shoulder.

His lordship stared at Mr. Phillips, a strange smile playing on his lips.

“Didn’t mean anything by it,” Phillips said.

“Oh, but you did,” the marquess said.

Jeanine faced forward.

“I will be speaking with His Grace about this,” she heard Lord Gordon say.

“Of course, you will,” his lordship said before she passed beyond hearing.