Free Lady Catherine's Secret: A Secrets and Seduction book by Sheridan Jeane Page B

began devising a plan to tempt Wentworth into performing an impromptu concert after dinner. The man loved to sing, and doing so always improved his mood immensely. Daniel would try anything to get Wentworth to stop grumbling about his plan for finding a wife.
    He smiled when Lady Wilmot returned to his side.
    “Lord Huntley, would you escort me to the dining room? I have a special spot reserved for you to my right, and I’m looking forward to a lively chat.”
    He kept his smile pinned in place as he offered his arm to the good lady. So much for talking to someone marriageable during dinner.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    10 - Santa Lucia
     
    It was with not some small measure of relief that Catherine discovered Lord Huntley would be seated to the right of Lady Wilmot, far from her own position mid-table. She found herself opposite the incorrigible Monsieur LeCompte.
    “Last night, I was speaking with Lord Watters at the opera,” M LeCompte said. “Are you acquainted with him?” At her brief nod, he smiled. “He is such a droll young man. He was quite enchanted with the soprano. Someone should warn him to be more careful. Sopranos can be quite difficult, non ? They can be annoyingly dedicated to their craft. They often view members of society as troublesome, but necessary, nuisances. He must not let himself become too attached to the young woman. N’est pas?”
    If he only knew. Watters already had a reputation for falling in love in an instant and then falling out of love just as quickly. She paused as she tried to find something positive to say about him, and latched onto her favorite attribute. “He’s a kind man,” she stated with confidence, “but I don’t believe he’ll bother the soprano for long. It is unfortunate, but he’s become known for his quixotic attachments to various young ladies.”
    LeCompte’s eyes lit up at this news. Clearly, he enjoyed learning about the foibles of other gentlemen. “How is it that a young lady such as you would come to know these things?”
    “He has never been circumspect when discussing his enthrallment with certain performers at the opera or the ballet. It would be difficult to remain unaware of his interests.”
    M LeCompte looked slightly deflated, and Catherine realized that, for him, it was not as interesting to know about something that was already common knowledge. He changed the subject, trying to find something more scandalous to discuss.
    Catherine was amazed by the man’s detailed knowledge of the shortcomings of so many members of society. He had only been in town for a few months. She noted, thankfully, that he didn’t mention the name of her brother among his litany of scandals.
    Throughout dinner, she cast an occasional glance down the table, but Lord Huntley seemed engrossed in his conversation with Lady Wilmot. When she looked once again, she caught him observing her. Catherine’s stomach clenched. Why was he looking at her in that assessing manner?
    She quickly glanced back at M LeCompte and tittered in a silly way at something mildly funny he said. When she surreptitiously glanced back at the marquess again, she saw that his attention had returned to Lady Wilmot.
    “ Le marquis is said to be searching for a bride,” LeCompte said.
    The comment startled her, and she couldn’t think of anything innocuous to say in reply. LeCompte must have seen her look down the table at Huntley and drawn the wrong conclusion.
    LeCompte watched the man openly for a moment before sipping his wine. “Is it true he has a checkered past? His father is said to have been quite mad and to have forgotten that he even had a son, which left the boy all but orphaned, since his mother died in childbirth. The household servants raised him, which probably accounts for his rough manners.” He narrowed his eyes and frowned as he gazed down the table at Huntley. “At least the man has money. It may be difficult for him to find a bride, despite his wealth. Rumors of bad