Read Online The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne by Jayne Fresina - Free Book Online Page B

his broad, flat face. Ellie never considered herself a spiteful creature, but that falter in his self-satisfied countenance was rather gratifying. She was only human, after all.
    Further sneaky and gleeful inspection revealed that Winthorne had grown quite fat, and not in the pleasing, jolly way of a man settled and enjoying life. He carried it very ill. There was a definite sagging of the jowls, produced no doubt by the wear and tear of married life. His shoulders were dreadfully hunched.
    Oops, now she’d missed her steps.
    Her partner winced when she stepped hard on his toes. At last, his somber perusal of the other guests interrupted, James addressed her again. “Your lover has disappeared from London, it seems. Have you done away with him out of jealousy, because of his flirtation with Lady Southwold?”
    Her dark sense of humor was piqued. So that was why he was being nice to her. He meant to pry for information about the count and get his diamonds back. “How did I dispose of my lover? What is your theory? Do tell.”
    “Knowing you, it’s more than likely you turned him into a toad.”
    She knew he would have her arrested in an instant if he discovered the truth—that she’d masqueraded as a man, lied her way into gaming clubs in Brighton and Bath, as well as here in London, and cheated with sleight of hand she learned when she was only six from her stepuncle, Lieutenant Graedon Vyne, who always said she had a natural talent for it.
    “Where has he gone, Vyne? You may as well tell me where the thief hides with his loot.”
    “Thief?” she exclaimed. “Did the count remove those diamonds from your mistress with his own hands?”
    James gave no reply.
    She watched his jaw grinding. “Are you certain this isn’t just about Lady Southwold?”
    He lifted one shoulder in a lazy shrug. “Lady Southwold was a pleasant diversion for a short while. Women come and go. I’ve learned better than to expect honesty or faithfulness from any.”
    Ellie was astounded by his candor. Although his tone was casual, his eyes were cooled by sadness. “Yet you gave her those diamonds?”
    He grimaced. “I was in a generous mood.”
    “You mean you were pickled.” She curbed her smile, catching again the wistful shadow in his blue eyes.
    James Hartley was looking at her like a dejected pup in need of a home. Is this how he drew women into his web? She carefully studied his waistcoat rather than look into his eyes again. Other women might be fooled into sympathizing with the wretched man, but she knew better. With all his advantages in life, he didn’t need her empathy. He tried playing her for a fool, as he did all those other dizzy-brained hussies who chased after him. Well, they might not know what he was about, but she knew. She was no—
    Uh, oh.
    His strong fingers were now holding hers too tightly. He didn’t appear to be drunk again, but he was certainly gripping on to her as if she was a life raft on a stormy sea.
    Yet, it was strangely comfortable dancing with the enemy, even with a torn frock and custard on her posterior. The sad state of her gown no longer mattered now that the handsomest rake in the room had given his seal of approval, and Ellie was vexed to find herself depressingly shallow, after all. As a woman whose only passable looks were late in blooming, she should have had more sense.
    For the next few bars of music, they were separated as they joined with another couple in the dance. She was aware again of her sisters watching. Oh, dear. She made her eyes wide, imploring their sympathy, raising her shoulders in a hapless gesture. What choice did I have? she would say later. He forced me into it. When he snatched her drink away, what else did she have to do with herself? To refuse at that point would be churlish and cause an even bigger scene.
    His hand gripped hers again, and they were reunited.
    “Stop distracting me, Vyne,” he growled. “The count. Tell me where he is.”
    Wondering what she’d