Read Online The Temptation of Lady Serena by Ella Quinn - Free Book Online
Authors: Ella Quinn
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to be admitted to Almack’s, but that will take weeks. So many gentlemen are interested in her. What can I do until then?”
Marcus’s brows rose. “Almack’s?”
“Marcus, shush. Of course Almack’s.” She once more addressed Beaumont. “Robert, there is nothing easier. You shall attend entertainments with us until you begin receiving cards. I am sure Rutherford will help as well. My dear friend, you will, no doubt, be amazed at how eagerly hostesses will send you invitations. You’re very eligible you know.”
Robert stood up. “I shall go see Rutherford now.”
Marcus pushed Beaumont back down. “I’ll send for him. There is no reason for you to go through this all over again. I daresay Phoebe will be happy to explain.”
Marcus muttered to himself as he once again walked to the bell pull. “You’d drive Rutherford mad.”
Within a short period of time, Anna and Rutherford were shown into the library. Anna glanced at Phoebe, who imperceptibly nodded her head as she motioned for Anna to sit next to her.
Anna grinned at her husband. A look of unholy amusement lit his face as he took a chair next to Marcus. Phoebe briefly explained Robert’s problem.
Anna forestalled Rutherford as he opened his mouth. “We shall, naturally, be happy to help you, Robert. Phoebe, do you attend Worthington’s party this evening?”
“Yes, we are chaperoning Serena.”
Robert’s head popped up like a jack-in-the-box, and he stared at her intently.
Phoebe’s lips quivered. “Yes, Robert, you may accompany us. However,” she said and narrowed her eyes at him, “I forbid you to try to fix her attention whilst you are unsure of yourself. If she were to develop a tendre for you, and you did not return her regard, she would be badly hurt. That, I will not allow.”
Rutherford took a sip of wine. “I wouldn’t be surprised if her card has been filled for a week.”
“True.” Phoebe was quiet for a minute. “I don’t suppose either of you have requested a dance?”
“I am to stand up with her for the quadrille,” Marcus replied.
“You’ve never danced the quadrille with me,” she protested.
Marcus smiled wolfishly. “No, of course not. Waltzing with you is much more interesting, my love, and eminently more satisfying. Serena wanted to practice her steps with someone she knew.”
“I am to dance a waltz with her.” At Beaumont’s glare, Rutherford quickly added, “Also because she wanted to practice her steps.”
“Robert,” Phoebe asked, “how long has it been since you have danced a quadrille?”
“Even in the underbelly of the ton, we dance.”
Phoebe pursed her lips. “I think both of you should give your dances to Robert.”
“As long as Serena agrees,” Anna said, “I think it would be unexceptional.”
“Good, it’s settled then. Marcus and Rutherford shall ask that Robert be allowed to take their places.” Phoebe smiled at Robert. “There, that was easily solved.”
Serena waited to be handed up to the Dunwood coach. To her surprise, Lord Beaumont alighted, elegantly attired in a black coat, a nicely patterned waistcoat, and black breeches. His cravat was fashionably and neatly tied. He must be the best looking man in the ton.
He bowed and Serena hid her surprise when he dismissed the footman and insisted upon helping her into the coach himself.
Her hand tingled when he touched it as it had before, and in her dreams. Serena peeked up at him through her lashes. He gazed down at her. His green eyes smoldered with a heat her body reacted to, but that she didn’t understand. She had trouble swallowing and her breathing was shallow. Did she affect him in the same way he affected her? What did it mean?
Once there, Robert escorted her into the ballroom. Serena thanked him and joined a group of ladies.
Miss Featherton, a young woman of two Seasons, greeted Serena. “Lady Serena, who is the gentleman that accompanied you?”
“Were you not listening when he was
Marcus’s brows rose. “Almack’s?”
“Marcus, shush. Of course Almack’s.” She once more addressed Beaumont. “Robert, there is nothing easier. You shall attend entertainments with us until you begin receiving cards. I am sure Rutherford will help as well. My dear friend, you will, no doubt, be amazed at how eagerly hostesses will send you invitations. You’re very eligible you know.”
Robert stood up. “I shall go see Rutherford now.”
Marcus pushed Beaumont back down. “I’ll send for him. There is no reason for you to go through this all over again. I daresay Phoebe will be happy to explain.”
Marcus muttered to himself as he once again walked to the bell pull. “You’d drive Rutherford mad.”
Within a short period of time, Anna and Rutherford were shown into the library. Anna glanced at Phoebe, who imperceptibly nodded her head as she motioned for Anna to sit next to her.
Anna grinned at her husband. A look of unholy amusement lit his face as he took a chair next to Marcus. Phoebe briefly explained Robert’s problem.
Anna forestalled Rutherford as he opened his mouth. “We shall, naturally, be happy to help you, Robert. Phoebe, do you attend Worthington’s party this evening?”
“Yes, we are chaperoning Serena.”
Robert’s head popped up like a jack-in-the-box, and he stared at her intently.
Phoebe’s lips quivered. “Yes, Robert, you may accompany us. However,” she said and narrowed her eyes at him, “I forbid you to try to fix her attention whilst you are unsure of yourself. If she were to develop a tendre for you, and you did not return her regard, she would be badly hurt. That, I will not allow.”
Rutherford took a sip of wine. “I wouldn’t be surprised if her card has been filled for a week.”
“True.” Phoebe was quiet for a minute. “I don’t suppose either of you have requested a dance?”
“I am to stand up with her for the quadrille,” Marcus replied.
“You’ve never danced the quadrille with me,” she protested.
Marcus smiled wolfishly. “No, of course not. Waltzing with you is much more interesting, my love, and eminently more satisfying. Serena wanted to practice her steps with someone she knew.”
“I am to dance a waltz with her.” At Beaumont’s glare, Rutherford quickly added, “Also because she wanted to practice her steps.”
“Robert,” Phoebe asked, “how long has it been since you have danced a quadrille?”
“Even in the underbelly of the ton, we dance.”
Phoebe pursed her lips. “I think both of you should give your dances to Robert.”
“As long as Serena agrees,” Anna said, “I think it would be unexceptional.”
“Good, it’s settled then. Marcus and Rutherford shall ask that Robert be allowed to take their places.” Phoebe smiled at Robert. “There, that was easily solved.”
Serena waited to be handed up to the Dunwood coach. To her surprise, Lord Beaumont alighted, elegantly attired in a black coat, a nicely patterned waistcoat, and black breeches. His cravat was fashionably and neatly tied. He must be the best looking man in the ton.
He bowed and Serena hid her surprise when he dismissed the footman and insisted upon helping her into the coach himself.
Her hand tingled when he touched it as it had before, and in her dreams. Serena peeked up at him through her lashes. He gazed down at her. His green eyes smoldered with a heat her body reacted to, but that she didn’t understand. She had trouble swallowing and her breathing was shallow. Did she affect him in the same way he affected her? What did it mean?
Once there, Robert escorted her into the ballroom. Serena thanked him and joined a group of ladies.
Miss Featherton, a young woman of two Seasons, greeted Serena. “Lady Serena, who is the gentleman that accompanied you?”
“Were you not listening when he was
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