Free The Husband Hunt by Lynsay Sands Page B

privacy.
    “I shall have to take your word for it that it’s beautiful. I’m afraid I cannot be bothered to check for myself with you here to look at.”
    Turning back to Lord Findlay, Lisa grinned at the compliment and shook her head. “Then you’re missing out, my lord. The sky really is lovely.”
    “As are you,” he assured her solemnly. “Your beauty challenges the stars.”
    “Oh.” She widened her eyes, fighting an irresistible urge to giggle at his flattery. The drink Mrs. Morgan had given her was obviously still affecting her, she decided, but said, “I suspect you are a dangerous man to innocent young debutantes, Lord Findlay.”
    “Call me Charles,” he suggested, his voice seductive.
    “Charles then,” she said on a laugh, and then asked, “How many girls have you charmed with such flowery words?”
    Even as the words left her lips, Lisa wondered where they had come from. It was just so unlikely a thing for her to say. She simply wasn’t this laissez faire about men and their attentions. On the other hand, she suspected if Robert had said those words to her, she wouldn’t be nearly so relaxed and amused.
    “I assure you I don’t make a habit of saying such things to debutantes,” Charles said solemnly, moving closer to take the drink from her hand. He set it carefully on the rail and then caught her by the arms, drawing her forward as he murmured, “In fact, I generally bypass these gatherings to avoid being hunted down and leg shackled.”
    “Do you?” Lisa asked with mild interest as she watched his head lower toward hers. “Then why are you here tonight?”
    “I had heard you were back in town and was hoping to see you again,” he whispered, his lips a hair’s breadth from hers.
    “Why?” she asked. Her eyes sliding from his eyes to his lips and back, her mind wondering what it would be like when he kissed her.
    “Because I have been endlessly fascinated by you since this same ball two years ago. Your smile and beauty have haunted me ever since, and all I’ve thought about since then was taking you in my arms and kissing—”
    “There you are!”
    Lisa pulled back with a start, her head swiveling to find Robert bearing down on them like an annoyed parent. Vaguely aware that Charles was releasing her and stepping back, Lisa frowned with annoyance at Robert for interrupting what would have been her first kiss. Not that he noticed, he was too busy giving her a disapproving scowl.
    “What are you doing out here alone?” Robert asked, catching her arm and dragging her toward the terrace doors.
    “I’m not alone, Robert,” Lisa snapped, tugging at her arm. “I am with Lord Findlay.”
    “But without Christiana or Suzette,” Robert countered, not releasing her arm. “Proper young ladies do not step out with strange men to—”
    “He is not strange,” Lisa hissed, lowering her voice to avoid drawing attention their way as he dragged her through the terrace doors and back inside. “And do stop pulling me about like a recalcitrant child. You are acting like a jealous ass and causing a scene.”
    Robert eased his hold and slowed so that it looked less like he was dragging her and more like he was walking her. He then paused and turned to eye her solemnly. “I am not jealous, Lisa. But after what happened today, you should not be wandering outside with anyone. For all we know, Lord Findlay is the suitor Mrs. Morgan was procuring you for. Any one of the men here tonight could be. You must be careful.”
    Lisa blinked in surprise at the reminder of her narrow escape that day. Not that she’d forgotten it, but it hadn’t occurred to her that she might still be in danger. She’d just assumed that with that day’s plot foiled, it was done. Perhaps that had been naïve, but . . . Grimacing, she nodded reluctantly in understanding. “Very well. I shall be more cautious, Robert.”
    “Yes, you will. Because I shall ensure it,” he said firmly, starting to walk again.
    “What