The Virtuous Ward - By Karla Darcy Page 0,29

and when he spoke his voice was caressing. "Come, my dear. You must know that I would never find fault with you. In my eyes, you are perfection."

"Oh, you are too kind, Max, and I am a beast to treat you to such a display of emotion. It is that I did not know what to do and I was so afraid that I would disappoint you." Honoria gave a wistful smile, then retrieved her hand and placed it primly in her lap atop the other. "Amity is a delight and it is laudable that she has rather, well, strong opinions. I tried to include her in the decisions when we were choosing her wardrobe. Her tastes are quite untutored and I advised her where I could but she would have her way."

Honoria was pleased when Max began to scowl. She knew he was not angry with her and she was very careful to choose her words so that she seemed to be defending Amity when in actual fact she was doing her best to undermine Max's confidence in the girl.

"The ball gown was her idea?"

"She said she had always dreamed of having such a dress," Honoria said, sticking to the actual truth. The stupid girl had never an idea of how the gown would look on her tall figure. "I suggested several other styles but she was not to be moved."

Max could understand now why Amity had looked so miserable. She was such an honest girl that she would have realized she had no one but herself to blame for such an error in judgment. He should have kept a closer eye on her instead of leaving poor Honoria to contend with her impetuousness. Tonight Miss Waterston looked rather tired, perhaps the result of dealing with his rambunctious ward. He would have to talk to Amity about being kinder to Honoria and more grateful for the advice the woman was so eager to give.

"No need to worry your pretty head, my dear. Now that Amity is launched I can assume our trials are almost at an end."

Max stared across the ballroom and watched as his ward once again took the floor. It would seem that she had been a great success this evening. She was dancing with Lord Bancroft Paige, a rather priggish young man but more than suitable. He was possessed of an ancient family name, unblemished with the slightest hint of scandal, and Max had it on good authority that the man was quite plump in the pocket. According to the latest on dits, Paige was hanging out for a wife.

"Bancroft looks quite taken with your ward," Honoria purred. "He would be an excellent prospect for the child."

"Perhaps," Max said, his eyes intent on the flashing smile of his ward as she skipped through the pattern of the dance. "I'll admit he is well looking, if she is partial to the Byronic ringlets of his blond hair. He may be a trifle young for Amity. He is only seven and twenty, after all. And of course his sister is a real tartar."

"Ophelia Paige?" she asked in feigned surprise. "Why the child would be lucky to have such a steadying influence in her life. Ophelia would be more than happy to advise Amity."

Max snorted at the possibility of the dowdy woman giving Amity anything but harsh criticism. He had heard her speak in disparaging tones of the light-minded females who tried to ensnare her brother.

"You do intend to marry off the child?"

Honoria's abrupt question jolted Max from his reverie and he spoke more sharply than usual, his words hearty to be more convincing. "But of course, my dear. That is the purpose of this evening after all. It is my dearest wish."

"And mine also," Honoria said.

Her tone was low and the throaty quality surprised Max. When he glanced down at her there was a definite invitation in her eyes which he had not seen before. It was not that she was cold but there was a certain aloofness about her that had always intrigued him. He felt guilty that he had not taken the time to mention his intentions to her, but, no matter her willingness to accept his suit, this was not the proper time for a declaration.

"By the looks on the faces of several gentlemen here, I suspect there will be no absence of offers for my ward."

At his jocular tone an expression of dismay touched Honoria's face; she had expected to hear other words from