Living London - By Kristin Vayden Page 0,30

friends, business, Lord willing, a wife, and more importantly, myself. Does that make any sense?"

His eyes begged me to understand, and I did, completely. "I think it makes perfect sense." I nodded with a slight smile. "I can see how those very things would drive you as well, providing you with motivation."

"Indeed. You asked a hard question, Miss Westin. May I in turn ask you the same?"

"Of course, but I doubt I'll be as eloquent in my answer."

"Honesty trumps eloquence any day in my book."

I grinned in response, silently hoping he meant it. "I want to leave a legacy. As a woman I think of children, family, and their care, and what I didn't have as a child. Money is wonderful and has its uses, but it cannot buy joy or love." I paused, thinking of Nanna's words. "Real love, the love of friends or family or a spouse, should never be dependent on circumstances or finances. If I find unconditional love and give it in return, then I've succeeded. I'm convinced it's rarer than diamonds."

I'd spoken in the direction of the horses, breaking eye contact as my courage failed me in the end. Turning toward him, I read the approval on his face and breathed a sigh of relief. It was so wonderful to be myself and not have to worry about doing or saying the right thing.

"Bravo. Eloquent and honest." His earnest gaze made my toes feel warm.

"Hardly, but I thank you nonetheless," I replied, trying not to sound shy.

"And look, it stopped raining." He nodded towards the sky with his chin.

"Miracles do happen," I commented.

He reached over and caressed my gloved hand with his finger. "Yes. Yes, they do."

Chapter Ten

"You have a caller, Miss Westin." Wains's voice startled me from my daydream of yesterday's ride with Lord Ashby.

"Who is it?"

"Miss Amelia," he responded. He never showed any emotion on his face, as if life itself had bored him beyond feeling. It made me want to dance in front of him, pull funny faces and poke him to get a reaction. He reminded me of those guards with the tall black hats that wouldn't move or react if people poked them and made themselves a complete nuisance.

"Please, show her in."

About thirty seconds later, Amelia burst into the room. "I am an idiot," she confessed with great conviction. "Why, oh why did I say yes?" She turned her eyes heavenward, and I thought her words were more of a prayer than question. She paced a moment and then sat down across from me in the Egyptian-motif armchair.

"What happened?" My curiosity was burning.

"I accepted Lord Heath's invitation to attend the Langton's ball." She spoke through her fingers as she covered her face.

"Lord Rake? You accepted an invitation from Lord Rake?"

Peeking through her fingers, she gave me a pitiful look. "Yes, I did."

"Why?" She had been the ice queen earlier. What had happened?

"Well…" she paused and began to chew on her lower lip. "You don't remember, but well, I've always hated myself for being so attracted to someone like him, but I can't seem to help myself. If he thought for one second that I was interested in an alliance, I'd be compromised on the spot! He'd never let me get away with my virtue intact, simply to get at my money. Or so I thought, until..."

"Until?" Why had she accepted his invitation when she was so adamantly convinced he was only after her fortune?

"We met, quite by accident, at a card party last night and actually had a civil conversation." She spoke if she still didn't quite believe it. "He was quite the gentleman and didn't once try to seduce me or attack me with his rakish charm. It completely shocked me, so much I couldn't find any reason to not accept his invitation to allow him to escort me to the ball." Her words came out slower and slower till the last ones seemed to be dragged out of her.

"He asked about you, you know," I added, remembering our waltzing conversation.

"What?" She gasped. "What did he say? What did you say?" She leaned forward to the front of her chair.

"I asked him why he'd asked me to dance when he was watching you the whole time we were dancing."

"He was?" she asked, unbelieving.

"He was. It was quite obvious." I nodded my head, affirming my words.

"What did he say?"

"He tried to turn on the charm and get me to simper and forget his lack of attention. I called him on