Read Online Utterly Devoted by Regina Scott - Free Book Online

closer to an answer when she spotted him in the crowd strolling St. James’s. He had stopped to speak with Portia Sinclair and her stepmother. His conversation was such that both were simpering. Portia’s color was nearly as bright as the pink ribbon on her serpentine spencer. Her slender hands kept fluttering over the drape of her green-sprigged muslin gown as if uncertain how attractive he found her.
    On the other hand, her stepmother’s dark gown should have made her look as stern as Eloise, who was dressed in navy lustring. Yet even Mrs. Sinclair appeared to be captivated by Jareth’s charm. Her small mouth was bent in a smile; her pudgy cheeks were rosy. He was supposed to be reformed, yet there he stood for all the ton to see, making ladies’ hearts flutter.
    Her blood heating, she managed an equally insipid smile as he broke off his conversation with a bow and strolled to meet her just as distant church bells rang a quarter past eleven.
    “You are late, Mr. Darby,” she informed him.
    He reached for the pocket of his embroidered waistcoat as if to retrieve a watch, then seemed to think better of it. He bowed instead.
    “I was unavoidably detained.”
    “So I saw,” she replied, gaze drawn past him to where Portia and her stepmother were watching. The older woman must have noticed Eloise’s pointed look, for she tugged on Portia’s arm to turn her away.
    “Do you know Miss Sinclair?” he asked as if making polite conversation.
    “Yes. An interesting young lady, to be sure, as are all the other young ladies making their debuts. Do you intend to discuss their merits as well, or shall we get on with this?”
    He raised a brow. “Are we in such a hurry then? Is there some urgency to this test of yours?”
    “No,” she had to admit. “But I do have other activities planned for the day, so if you wouldn’t mind?”
    He bowed again. “I am at your disposal.”
    She felt her mouth curl in a satisfied smile. “Excellent. Your first test, Mr. Darby, is of your humility. I was certain that must be one area in which you sought to reform.”
    “Indeed; I am far more humble than when you first knew me.”
    It was a pretty speech, but he spoiled it by pausing to flick a piece of dust off the lapel of his navy jacket.
    “Indeed,” she said.
    He glanced up, obviously noting the sarcasm in her tone. “You think that impossible? Test me as you will, madam.”
    “Oh, I shall, Mr. Darby, I shall.” She turned to nod down St. James’s toward White’s. Even this early in the morning, gentlemen would be lounging by the windows. He would be easily noticed. “You see the bow window at White’s? I intend to walk past it to where St. James’s meets Picadilly. I expect you to follow behind me.”
    He quirked a smile. “My angel, you are kindness itself.”
    “On your knees.”
    He blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
    “You did indeed, and if you complete this feat, you will be on your way toward earning it. Your test, Mr. Darby, is to follow me the length of St. James’s on your knees, as befits a true penitent.”
    He glanced up the street as if measuring the distance. She followed his gaze, noting the number of people. Ladies walked arm in arm, followed by footmen loaded with packages. Gentlemen strolled by, swinging canes of ebony and teak. Street vendors hawked wares, their cries rising over the sound of passing carriages and wagons. Urchins darted through the crowd in search of fun and a fat purse. Jareth’s eyes narrowed.
    “I believe we agreed that I would not be required to do anything dangerous to my health.”
    “Your physical well being, certainly. But you appear to be in fine shape, Mr. Darby. Surely a little stroll such as this is not too difficult for you.”
    She was certain he would not argue the point, and she was right. Instead, he found another problem.
    “But if I follow you in such a manner, will not people remark upon it? How will you answer without revealing our past?”
    Although she had