Free Scandal by Amanda Quick

efforts, his fingers tightening painfully. He leaned closer until his bad breath and thick perfume nearly overpowered his victim. Then he lowered his voice to confidential tones.
    "Miss Faringdon, I fully comprehend how difficult it must be for a woman of your high passions to be forced to be subjected to the depressing strictures of society. I feel certain that you would be far happier married. Within the sanctity of the marriage bed you would be able to give free rein to those impulses which you are now obliged to keep under control."
    "Sir, if you do not let go of me this instant, I vow I will be forced to do something drastic."
    But Prendergast was very intent on his mission now. "You need a man who can accommodate your excesses of emotion, my dear. I assure you I am that man. Furthermore, I intend to call upon your father at the earliest opportunity to tell him of my intentions."
    "No," Emily gasped, horrified at the very thought.
    "To that end," Prendergast continued as if he had not heard the alarm in her voice, "I have written him a letter informing him of the danger you are presently facing and assuring him that I will look after you until he returns to protect you from Blade's attentions."
    "Attend to your own business, sir. I do not wish to be protected from his attentions."
    "He is merely toying with your affections, my dear. Just as that other rake did five years ago."
    Emily finally lost her temper. She folded her fan with a snap and brought it down quite sharply on the back of Prendergast's hand. The blow contained such stinging force that the sticks snapped.
    "Yeow." Prendergast released her fingers abruptly, rubbing the back of his hand. The color in his plump cheeks was high. "Ah, Miss Faringdon, you are, indeed, a creature of great passions. I cannot wait until we are wed. I assure you I will manage you very well, my dear. Very well, indeed."
    "Best not hold your breath waiting for that momentous occasion," Simon advised in his cold, dark drawl.
    Emily jumped and whirled around to find that the earl had materialized at her elbow. She smiled brilliantly up at the dragon. He was satisfyingly large and ferocious, she thought, and he had lots of strong, white teeth. Furthermore, they were his own, which was more than could be said about Elias Prendergast's.
    "Hello, my lord," Emily said happily. "I trust you are enjoying yourself?"
    "Very much. I thought you might need this." He handed her a glass of champagne.
    "How very perceptive of you, sir." Emily's fingers closed gratefully around the glass.
    "Miss Faringdon prefers lemonade," Prendergast announced.
    "You are wrong." Emily took a swallow. "At the moment Miss Faringdon has a strong preference for champagne."
    Prendergast glowered at her unrepentant features. "We will discuss this matter further at a more convenient time, Miss Faringdon."
    "What matter? My preference for champagne? I assure you, there is nothing to discuss."
    "I was referring to other, more pressing concerns," Prendergast hissed. He inclined his head in a jerky motion. "If you will excuse me, I must speak to a friend." He took himself off with a great dignity that was somewhat marred by the sound of his creaking corsets.
    Emily stifled a small sigh. As obnoxious as Prendergast was, he was also right in one respect. She could not continue to lead Simon on any longer. She took another swallow of champagne and looked up at the earl. She was standing close enough to him to see that he was watching her with a familiar mocking amusement in his gleaming eyes.
    "It would seem I have competition for your hand," Simon murmured.
    Emily shook her head quickly, her curls bouncing. "Pay no heed to Mr. Prendergast. He has been something of a nuisance ever since his poor wife finally faded away. Simon, I must speak to you."
    "You have my full attention."
    "No, not here. Not now." She glanced furtively around, squinting to see if there was anyone standing too close. "Simon, I must speak to you in