Read Online Splendid by Julia Quinn - Free Book Online

emotions pass across Alex’s face. “I can see that you agree with my assessment.”
    Alex broke his gaze away from Emma and turned to face his friend. “Don’t touch her,” he said slowly. “Don’t even think about her.” He scowled as he noticed that he was not the only man in the room who’d succumbed to her appeal. The young bucks were practically lined up to gain an introduction to the American girl. He made a mental note to have a word with a few of the more eager ones.
    Dunford drew back in surprise. “A little possessive when you haven’t even met the chit, don’t you think?”
    â€œOh, I’ve met the chit,” Alex growled. “I just didn’t know it.”
    Dunford’s brow furrowed in thought until realization dawned. “I gather you don’t want to head to White’s just yet?”
    Alex smiled rakishly. “This party has suddenly grown quite interesting.” With that, he scooted along the perimeter of the ballroom, assiduously avoiding Emma’s eye. He finally settled into an alcove directly behind her back. A heavy crimson drape shielded him from the view of the partygoers, but he could still hear every detail of Emma’s conversations. Leaning back against the wall, he could just barely see her through a crack between the drape and the wall.
    â€œWhat the devil are you doing?” Dunford demanded just as soon as he appeared at Alex’s side.
    â€œWill you keep your voice down? And get back! Someone might see you.” Alex yanked his friend back until they were both hidden behind the drape.
    â€œYou’ve lost your mind,” Dunford muttered. “I never thought I’d see the day when the lofty Duke of Ashbourne hid behind curtains to spy on a woman.”
    â€œShut up.”
    Dunford snickered.
    Alex glared at him before turning his attention back to more important matters. “I’ve got her just where I want her,” he said gleefully, rubbing his hands together.
    â€œReally?” Dunford asked sardonically. “I rather thought you wanted her in your bed.”
    Alex glared at him again.
    â€œAnd,” Dunford continued, “it doesn’t seem to me that you’re even remotely close to achieving that goal.”
    Alex raised his eyebrows with supreme self-assurance. “Mark my words, I’ll be a hell of a lot closer by the end of the night.” He put his eye back to the crack of light, smiled triumphantly and, rather like a lion stalking its prey, trained his gaze on the flame-haired woman not five feet away from him.
    Emma kept a polite smile pasted to her face as she went though another round of introductions. Her aunt had already declared the ball—and Emma— a glittering success. Aunt Caroline couldn’t believe the number of young men who had begged her and her husband for an introduction to their niece. And Emma had behaved beautifully. She was witty and bright and, thankfully, hadn’t done anything too outrageous. Caroline knew that her niece found it a trial to be continuously correct.
    In actuality, Emma wasn’t finding her correct behavior overly burdensome. She was simply too tired to live up to her mischievous reputation even if she had wanted to. It was all she could do to keep up amusing banter with the many people she had met that evening. Even with a pounding headache, Emma refused to give London the misconception that she was a shy, retiring miss. It was her opinion that the ton already had far too many of those.
    â€œEmma, dear,” her aunt called. “I want you to meet Lord and Lady Humphries.”
    Emma smiled as she held out her hand to the plump pair. Lord Humphries, who looked to be about thirty-five years older than Emma, bowed courteously and kissed her knuckles. “I’m very pleased to meet both of you,” Emma said politely, her American accent apparent.
    â€œThen it’s true!” Lord Humphries