Read Online A Crime of Manners by Rosemary Stevens - Free Book Online Page A

Lanford your apology. I know she behaved a bit too spiritedly when you approached her, but can one blame her?”
    “Good manners must always override one’s emotions,” Winterton replied stiffly, forgetting that when he’d vented his frustrations in front of Lord Kramer, he committed the very crime of manners he now claimed to deplore.
    At his godfather’s frown, he sighed with an air of resignation. “You are right, sir, in that the lady is due an apology, much as it rankles me. How was I to know that prancing fool Kramer would make a piece of work over nothing? And what is Miss Lanford doing with an ugly customer like Baddick?”
    The colonel glanced down the table curiously. “Why, what’s wrong with him?”
    “It is not generally known, but I happen to be aware of Baddick’s unsavory exploits when it comes to women.” With a speculative look he continued, “I wonder that he has resorted to seducing virgins. There was a story going around after Christmas. I cannot bring it to mind and will have to inquire,” the duke finished, and then wondered why he should concern himself with Miss Lanford’s suitor.
    Colonel Colchester rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he wondered the very same thing.
    In the ballroom, Lord Baddick escorted Henrietta to Lady Fuddlesby, saying, “Miss Lanford, I beg you will promise me another dance.” Then, dropping his voice, he discreetly whispered in her ear, “I wish I might have a thousand dances with you!”
    Henrietta wondered why the feel of his breath on her ear did not affect her as ardently as such things always did the heroines in novels. She attributed this lack of feeling on her part to the unusual circumstances of the evening. “Yes, my lord,” she replied, and curtsied.
    Standing next to Lady Fuddlesby, Henrietta could hear her aunt speaking with Lady Cowper regarding vouchers for Almack’s. “And Miss Lanford’s mother’s mother was...”
    Henrietta prevented herself from squirming under the skeptical Lady Cowper’s stare.
    When the duke and Colonel Colchester approached, Henrietta felt the familiar telltale blush heat her cheeks. Winterton’s nearness released uncomfortable emotions in her.
    The duke, cool and aloof, introduced his godfather. Colonel Colchester was happy to finally be presented to Lady Fuddlesby, whom he privately termed a sweet-looking treat.
    Winterton studied the card dangling from Henrietta’s wrist. “Miss Lanford, how fortunate I am to find you free for the next dance. I thought I might have to wait until next Wednesday night at Almack’s to secure the pleasure of dancing with you,” he finished, glancing meaningfully at Lady Cowper. That lady nodded her acquiescence, and a smothered exclamation of delight came from Lady Fuddlesby.
    Annoyed at his high-handed intervention on her behalf with Lady Cowper and his examination of her dance card, Henrietta said in a falsely apologetic voice, “Your Grace, I fear the next dance is a waltz and I have not been granted permission to dance it.”
    The duke could hardly believe his ears. Was Miss Lanford trying to sidestep his invitation? No lady had ever been anything less than thrilled at his escort. He stood cold and austere.
    Into the awkward silence that followed, Lady Cowper pronounced, “You have my approval, Miss Lanford.”
    Outwitted, Henrietta turned to Lady Fuddlesby, but she would get no help from that quarter since her ladyship’s face was wreathed in smiles at the turn of events. Henrietta had no choice but to allow the duke to lead her to the dance floor.
    Joining the other couples prepared to begin the dance, she said, hesitantly, “I feel I must warn you I have never performed the steps of the waltz, other than with my governess, Biddles. She would not allow my dancing master to instruct me, feeling it improper.”
    “That is quite all right, Miss Lanford, you are safe with me,” he said condescendingly.
    She let out an unladylike snort. “Yes, indeed, Your Grace, just think