Free Lord and Master by Rosemary Stevens Page A

how gentlemen would flock to Daphne’s side now that Miss Oakswine was dead, proved accurate. Daphne herself had no idea Miss Oakswine had ever put about such a nonsensical story about living with her once she was wed. Therefore the attentions she received when she arrived at Almack’s bewildered her, pleasing as they were.
    Miss Shelby remained at her side before the first dance, making predictions about each gentlemen who rushed to present himself.
    Of Sir Tredair, she said he fancied himself a poet and would bore her to death with his prose.
    Puritan-looking Lord Edgecombe was undoubtedly a monk in a former life.
    Mr. Smythe-Benton’s thoughts were impure in the extreme, Miss Shelby said while fanning her cheeks vigorously.
    Daphne giggled through all of Miss Shelby’s declarations. In truth, she found none of the gentlemen interested her, save one who had yet to make his appearance.
    Her dance card was filling rapidly so she hastily scribbled Lord Ravenswood’s name for the second waltz of the evening.
    At present Lord Guy bowed before her. “Miss Kendall, I congratulate you on a wise choice of gowns for one with your hair color.”
    Daphne could not miss the implication that red hair was not the fashion. While she knew it to be the truth, it was rude of Lord Guy to remind her. She gritted her teeth. “Thank you, my lord.”
    His coat this evening was vibrant purple. The intricately embroidered waistcoat he wore contained threads of every shade of purple Daphne had ever seen. His quizzing glass was encrusted in amethysts.
    “May I hope, Miss Kendall, that you have a dance for me?”
    “The first waltz is not yet claimed,” Daphne replied. She had reserved it for him, thinking it would give her an opportunity to talk with him and thereby further Miss Shelby’s case.
    Lord Guy was content. He had noted the number of gentlemen bestowing their attentions on pretty Miss Kendall. She was in demand. Therefore Lord Guy wished for her presence at his side to increase his own consequence.
    He raised her gloved hand to his lips and kissed the air above it. “Every minute that passes until our dance will seem an hour.”
    And every minute spent with him will seem an hour, Daphne mused. She dropped a polite curtsy to Lord Guy before he moved away.
    Her first partner, Lord Christopher, was an amiable gentleman who danced well and set himself to please. But Daphne’s attention was soon caught by the party just entering the room. Lord Ravenswood escorted Mrs. Blenkinsop and her daughter, Elfleta.
    The earl had changed his clothes since his visit to her house earlier. He now wore a very dark blue evening coat over pearl-colored breeches.
    Daphne felt a rush of excitement upon seeing him. He was the most handsome gentleman in the room, she decided in that instant.
    Well, she thought, tilting her head and attempting to study him objectively, perhaps if she viewed all the gentlemen in the room impartially, the earl’s features to some would not be the most pleasing. It did not matter. What was significant was the effect Lord Ravenswood’s company had upon her.
    Seeing the direction of her gaze, Lord Christopher said, “Ravenswood is back in England after a long absence. Do you know him?”
    Daphne flushed at her discourteous behavior in ignoring her partner. “Yes, I have made his acquaintance.”
    “I do not expect he will be in Town long.”
    Daphne raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    Happy to have her attention at last, Lord Christopher warmed to his subject. “Everyone knows the earl is only in London while his country estate is made livable again. He cares for Raven’s Hall much more than his father ever did. You know the old earl married a beautiful, younger woman who led him to his ruin.”
    “No, I did not know,” Daphne replied slowly. Her gaze traveled back to where Lord Ravenswood stood in conversation with Mrs. Blenkinsop and Elfleta. They had come from their dinner together, she surmised, and the earl was