Free How to Entice an Earl by Manda Collins

preoccupied that day,” was Juliet’s response. “But we were discussing you. That shade of rose is quite becoming. As is the cut.”
    “It’s hardly my gown that accounts for the number of dance partners I’ve garnered this evening,” Maddie wryly. “It’s because they all wish to know what happened at Mrs. Bailey’s and they are all kicking themselves for not being there to witness it themselves.”
    “They are a bloodthirsty lot, these gentlemen,” Cecily said with a frown. “They cannot stand the idea of missing out on the least bit of excitement. It’s quite sad, really.”
    “Well, they aren’t hanging about Gresham peppering him with silly questions,” Maddie said resentfully. It had not escaped her notice that Christian had not been among those gentlemen seeking her out tonight.
    “Speak of the devil,” Juliet said in a low whisper. “Here he comes now.”
    And true enough, Gresham was approaching them from across the ballroom. He was in looks himself tonight. His light brown hair was slightly longer than was fashionable, but was arranged in artful disarray. And his black coat and breeches created a sharp contrast with the white of his shirt points and cravat. A diamond and onyx pin winked from the folds of his cravat, which had also been expertly arranged.
    “His man has obviously been speaking with Deveril’s,” Cecily said to her cousins. “Which is all for the better considering his own carelessness about such things.”
    “Yes, Deveril says that Gresham grew tired of being harangued over his appearance so he agreed to let his valet take instruction from Deveril’s.”
    “It has certainly paid off,” Cecily said. “Don’t you think so, Maddie?”
    But Maddie was preoccupied with the man himself, who was striding toward them like a jungle cat on the prowl. Good Lord, she thought, is this what I’ve come to? Clichés about jungle cats? She turned her attention instead to Gresham’s expression, which was grim.
    “Ladies,” Lord Gresham said as he bowed to the cousins. “I hope you won’t mind if I steal Lady Madeline for a word.”
    Yes, they do mind. Maddie didn’t speak the words aloud, but she hoped that she conveyed the sentiment effectively. She wasn’t ready to be in his company again. Last night’s ordeal at Mrs. Bailey’s gaming hell had been harrowing, and not only because of Mr. Tinker’s murder. She’d seen Christian, or Gresham she corrected herself, in an entirely different light, and her newfound … awareness … was not at all comfortable or convenient.
    “We don’t mind a bit,” Cecily said, breaking into Maddie’s thoughts. Her sideways glance at Maddie indicated that she was ready to send her off with Gresham whether Maddie liked it or not. “I’m sure you both have much to discuss.”
    Maddie glared at her traitorous cousin. She’d deal with Cecily and her matchmaking schemes later.
    Grudgingly she allowed Gresham to take her arm, and just as she had last night, she felt a thrill of excitement zing through her as she placed her hand on his arm. Trying to calm her senses, she realized that they were not headed toward the dance floor. But when she saw the direction in which he headed, Maddie had to fight the impulse to balk like a mule.
    “It is quite warm here,” Gresham said, as if he hadn’t noticed his partner’s reluctance to continue on. “Let’s step outside for a breath of air, shall we?”
    “Yes, let’s,” Maddie said, reconciling herself to the situation. Unable to stop herself, she reveled in the feel of hard muscle beneath his coat sleeve and his leashed power as he walked beside her.
    Before she could succumb to temptation and inhale the scent of him, they arrived at their destination. For which Maddie was grateful.
    The terrace beyond the dance floor was blissfully cool after the closeness of the ballroom. And though several other couples had also sought out the openness of the balcony, their conversation was a far cry from