Free Regency 03 - Deception by Jaimey Grant Page B

boredom.”
    The duke eyed his friend for a long moment, his
features revealing little of whatever dark thoughts consumed him.
Coming to some decision—Levi prayed it was one that didn’t involve
bloodshed—he turned back to Aurora. The earl did not trust the
smile on Derringer’s lips.
    “ Here is your champion, my dear.”
His soulless black eyes never left the petite blond he tormented.
“Keep her in line, Greville. I’ve no desire to ruin another
reputation tonight.” This last was said loudly enough that several
standing close by heard and the duke’s words darted around the
room.
    Leaning down, the duke put his lips nearly to
Aurora’s ear. As Levi stepped forward to put a stop to such
unseemly behavior, Derringer said something that turned her face to
the color of paste. Levi would have sold his mother to the devil to
find out what it was.
    “ You are heartless,” she hissed
through white lips.
    “ So I’ve heard,” the duke agreed.
“You would do well to remember that.”
    ~~~~~~
    A week later, Aurora still suffered the ill effects
of the Duke of Derringer’s well-chosen and completely hateful
words. Many shunned her despite her remarkable lineage and some
gentlemen had been forward enough to offer her carte
blanche . Ladies tended to avoid her company altogether.
    Aurora didn’t care. She was more worried about the
duke’s whispered words to her. It was nothing more than a man’s
name, but that man’s connection to her would destroy her reputation
as assuredly as Derringer had destroyed Miss Weatherby’s.
    The gossip surrounding her name now would stop just
as soon as someone provided the ton with something even
better to talk about. If they discovered her secret, nothing short
of a royal scandal could replace the gossip. And although the
royals were quite willing to make a byword of themselves, lately,
they had been rather circumspect.
    Aurora endeavored to give the gossips nothing more
with which to fuel their spite. She spent more time with her sister
and with Ellie. They were often seen in the park by anyone up early
enough—or late enough—to chance upon them.
    That was how her acquaintance with Miss Raven
Emerson started. Aurora stood in the park with Ellie and Rhiannon,
watching the ducks one week after the contretemps at Almack’s. The
little girl was exclaiming in delight over the antics of the
ducklings and begging Ellie to catch one for her so she could pet
it. Ellie, of course, did nothing of the sort and merely tugged the
child along the bank of the Serpentine so Rhiannon could get as
close as possible without actually touching the small birds.
    Aurora was watching with fond amusement when she
happened to look up and see the most beautiful woman she’d ever
beheld. The woman’s hair was black as pitch, long and glossy and
even straighter than Aurora’s own blond locks. Her dark eyes were
slanted, giving her an exotic look. She glided across the grass in
the latest of French fashions, a little maid at her side. The woman
was easily a whole head taller than Aurora.
    She wondered who the beautiful lady was. She had not
yet been to the theater and so did not know that she was looking at
one of the best actresses to tread the boards since Sarah Siddons.
And she would never know unless someone happened to tell her; Raven
had quit the theater right after Levi Greville had dropped her.
    Aurora nodded her head in acknowledgment of the
woman’s friendly smile and returned her attention to her friend and
sister. She was surprised when the lady stopped.
    “ How do you do?” she asked in a
husky voice that captured Aurora’s complete attention.
    “ I’m very well, thank you. And
you?” Aurora replied politely. Heavens! The woman was even more
beautiful up close.
    “ I am well,” the woman said with a
sweet smile. “I wonder if you’d mind if I introduced myself? I have
few friends in Society and you appear to be a kindred spirit.” She
gestured for her maid to join Ellie and