Read Online To Pleasure a Prince by Sabrina Jeffries - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sabrina Jeffries
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God’s sake! If he hadn’t known what she and her brother were up to, that smile would have knocked him back on his heels. But he wasn’t about to let it. Bad enough that the mere touch of his hand on her arm was stirring very ungentlemanly…thoughts.
As they headed down the hall, she murmured, “I suppose that comment about the virgins was your idea of a joke?”
“I merely said what everybody was thinking.” He cast her a sly glance. “Why? Have you decided you’re capable of being embarrassed after all?”
“No, but Louisa is.”
He groaned. Damn, the woman knew just how to get at him. But Louisa was the reason he was enduring this torture, though she might not appreciate it at the moment. “I’ll do my best not to shame her.”
He’d do his best, all right…to separate his sister from that devil Foxmoor. And if that meant subjecting Louisa to a little public embarrassment and crushing his unwanted physical attraction to Lady Lofty, then so be it. In the end, Louisa would thank him.
Chapter Five
A lady can enjoy any party where the company is well-mannered, sprightly, and amiable.
—Miss Cicely Tremaine, The Ideal Chaperone
A fter fifteen minutes at the soiree, Regina wanted to lecture nearly every person present. After thirty, she wanted to strangle them. And these people were the nicer members of society—they should at least tolerate Lord Draker to be polite. Yet they either gave him a wide berth, as if he had the pox, or insulted him within his hearing, as if he were invisible.
Nor was he any help whatsoever. The cooler they were, the more snide he became. If the scoundrel weren’t so huge, she’d rap his knuckles with her fan. He probably wouldn’t even feel it, the big lout.
As if matters weren’t bad enough, he now stood with that notorious Mr. Byrne, his supposed half brother. His lordship wasn’t satisfied with shoving his scruffy appearance in people’s faces—oh no, he had to remind them that only the previous viscount’s indulgence had saved him from being a bastard in the truest sense. God forbid Lord Draker should let sleeping dogs lie—that would be too easy.
Only half-paying attention to the Marchioness of Hungate beside her, who nattered on about some outrage, Regina stole a glance at them. When Lord Draker cast her a smug smile, she narrowed her eyes. He was actually enjoying the results of his churlish appearance and behavior. Why didn’t he understand that he only made things worse for himself?
He murmured something to his half brother, then headed toward her, and she jerked her gaze away. Wonderful. Now he was coming over here to wreak havoc. Just what she needed to improve her mood—the sour Lady Hungate and the surly Lord Draker sniping at each other.
“What is wrong with young people today?” Lady Hungate complained. “They pay no attention to the proprieties. In my day, girls couldn’t go riding with young gentlemen until their come-out. Yet I heard that Miss Spruce was actually seen in the park with Mr. Jackson last week. She’s not out yet, is she?”
“No,” Regina said absently, only too aware of the viscount’s approach.
Lady Hungate glanced behind Regina, then lifted her lorgnette to study Lord Draker with a moue of disgust. “And in my day, good grooming was a requirement for anyone going into society.”
Before Regina could retort, Lord Draker said, “In your day, gossips were horsewhipped in the square. You should be glad we’re not in your day, madam.”
Lady Hungate sniffed. “Well, I never—”
“No, you never were, more’s the pity.”
That finished her off. With a glance at Regina that said, “How dare you inflict this person on us?” the marchioness swept off to find better company.
Regina couldn’t decide whether to be impressed at how effectively he’d silenced the irritating Lady Hungate or annoyed by the rude methods he’d used to do it. “I think you enjoy being a bear.”
“Every bear-baiting needs one. I’m
As they headed down the hall, she murmured, “I suppose that comment about the virgins was your idea of a joke?”
“I merely said what everybody was thinking.” He cast her a sly glance. “Why? Have you decided you’re capable of being embarrassed after all?”
“No, but Louisa is.”
He groaned. Damn, the woman knew just how to get at him. But Louisa was the reason he was enduring this torture, though she might not appreciate it at the moment. “I’ll do my best not to shame her.”
He’d do his best, all right…to separate his sister from that devil Foxmoor. And if that meant subjecting Louisa to a little public embarrassment and crushing his unwanted physical attraction to Lady Lofty, then so be it. In the end, Louisa would thank him.
Chapter Five
A lady can enjoy any party where the company is well-mannered, sprightly, and amiable.
—Miss Cicely Tremaine, The Ideal Chaperone
A fter fifteen minutes at the soiree, Regina wanted to lecture nearly every person present. After thirty, she wanted to strangle them. And these people were the nicer members of society—they should at least tolerate Lord Draker to be polite. Yet they either gave him a wide berth, as if he had the pox, or insulted him within his hearing, as if he were invisible.
Nor was he any help whatsoever. The cooler they were, the more snide he became. If the scoundrel weren’t so huge, she’d rap his knuckles with her fan. He probably wouldn’t even feel it, the big lout.
As if matters weren’t bad enough, he now stood with that notorious Mr. Byrne, his supposed half brother. His lordship wasn’t satisfied with shoving his scruffy appearance in people’s faces—oh no, he had to remind them that only the previous viscount’s indulgence had saved him from being a bastard in the truest sense. God forbid Lord Draker should let sleeping dogs lie—that would be too easy.
Only half-paying attention to the Marchioness of Hungate beside her, who nattered on about some outrage, Regina stole a glance at them. When Lord Draker cast her a smug smile, she narrowed her eyes. He was actually enjoying the results of his churlish appearance and behavior. Why didn’t he understand that he only made things worse for himself?
He murmured something to his half brother, then headed toward her, and she jerked her gaze away. Wonderful. Now he was coming over here to wreak havoc. Just what she needed to improve her mood—the sour Lady Hungate and the surly Lord Draker sniping at each other.
“What is wrong with young people today?” Lady Hungate complained. “They pay no attention to the proprieties. In my day, girls couldn’t go riding with young gentlemen until their come-out. Yet I heard that Miss Spruce was actually seen in the park with Mr. Jackson last week. She’s not out yet, is she?”
“No,” Regina said absently, only too aware of the viscount’s approach.
Lady Hungate glanced behind Regina, then lifted her lorgnette to study Lord Draker with a moue of disgust. “And in my day, good grooming was a requirement for anyone going into society.”
Before Regina could retort, Lord Draker said, “In your day, gossips were horsewhipped in the square. You should be glad we’re not in your day, madam.”
Lady Hungate sniffed. “Well, I never—”
“No, you never were, more’s the pity.”
That finished her off. With a glance at Regina that said, “How dare you inflict this person on us?” the marchioness swept off to find better company.
Regina couldn’t decide whether to be impressed at how effectively he’d silenced the irritating Lady Hungate or annoyed by the rude methods he’d used to do it. “I think you enjoy being a bear.”
“Every bear-baiting needs one. I’m
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