Last Dance in London (Rakes on the Run #1) - Sydney Jane Baily Page 0,22
the vows, if I recall.”
Jasper watched her take a turn at spluttering, as she blew the pottage off her spoon and onto the tablecloth. His words had made her laugh. However, since she recovered quickly and wasn’t choking, he didn’t jump up and attack her back as she had his.
“My sister could hardly have planned on that, sir. I, for one, will be thrilled if she finds her heart’s desire in Lord Denbigh, although I have yet to meet him. I don’t suppose you know any reasons as to why he wouldn’t make her a good match.”
Jasper considered. This was a little too close to tongue-wagging for his liking, but after recovering from the silly notion of one’s heart’s desire, he thought for a moment.
“I know the viscount went to France for a period on behalf of the Prince Regent, and has just returned from Ghent regarding a treaty with America. Other than that and a rumor he occasionally works as a hound for Bow Street, I know very little.”
Was he imagining it or had the girl paled over the information? He didn’t think there was anything in what he’d said that would disqualify Denbigh from being husband material.
In any case, Jasper didn’t want to discuss him any further. While the man had a reputation for being a bit of a buck, it was minor in comparison to his own escapades, as most men’s were. Besides, it was the widow’s worry if the man wasn’t worthy of her.
“And what about you, Miss Sudbury? Any aspirations regarding making a match? After all, you’ve been to a number of soirées, danced with the eligible men of London and probably some not so eligible. Any designs on them?”
“You sound like an old woman with a pot of gossip-water, my lord.”
What! If he did, it was her fault for asking him questions.
Yet in truth, he didn’t know why he’d asked her anything so personal. If she did have designs on some churl, what was it to him?
“You needn’t tell me. After all, I am the one dining with you this evening, so any other man is already the loser.”
She beamed. “That’s very kind of you to say, sir. In any case, I would be more likely to give my heart to a genuine, country Harry than the pack of dandy prats I’ve encountered in Mayfair.”
He set down his spoon with a thump.
“You? Matched with some hobnail, some chaw bacon sporting dirty fingers and patches?” Jasper couldn’t help laughing, given her fine surroundings. “I don’t know your former situation in the country, but I doubt you could wear that gorgeous, glittering gown as the wife of a Johnny-raw. And that, in my opinion, would be a terrible shame and waste of beautiful female flesh.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and he thought she was pleased until she spoke.
“Female flesh, indeed!” Her tone was scathing. “Like a cow or pig at the market, I suppose!”
Where had he gone so wrong?
Chapter Seven
“Lord and Lady Chandron hosted a veritable galaxy of the quality folk at their ball. Naturally, Lord M__ was there. How many ladies’ hearts did he break?”
-The Evening Star
“Miss Sudbury,” he implored, fearing the coveted prize of a place between her smooth thighs had just been snatched from him, and by his own thoughtlessness. “The term was meant as an accolade, not a denigration. Yet I offer my sincere apology for insulting you.”
She pursed her lips, then nodded, instantly easing the band of apprehension that had tightened around his chest.
“Your apology is accepted. And I must give one in return. I jumped into a great tweague, but it isn’t truly your fault.” She eyed him over the next course, a delicate filet of sole.
“I know you wish to indulge in a gay evening,” she continued, “so I shall not overwhelm you with stories of the country folk. Yet I can only assume you are unaware how a poor man may be forced to sell even his wife and do so at a common marketplace, exactly like a cow or pig.”
Jasper drew back. What nonsense was she sputtering?
“Sell one’s wife? That’s absurd. A lie. This is England in 1814, not 1418!”
“Nevertheless, it’s true,” she insisted. “For one thing, in most cases, living separately or seeking a divorce is beyond the reach for those outside your class. Instead, by agreement, a woman can ask to be sold in some cases to a man to whom she would rather be married, taking her children with her, too.”