Free My Lady Mischief by Kathy Carmichael Page B

when they were alone, but for all the world to hear? Underneath the table, she swung out her foot in a mighty kick, then grinned when he hid a cringe of pain. She only regretted that she wore soft slippers rather than a shoe made of sterner material. Steel-tipped might have been a better choice. She'd order some as soon as they reached London. "You seem to forget, my lord, you made me a promise."
    "I have no recollection of a promise not to woo you."
    "I feel that your vexing behavior is breaking the spirit of your promise."
    He wriggled his brows. "That is your just reward for accepting the word of a rake."
    "Shall I?" he asked Mrs. Wiggins as he gestured at the dishes of food sitting on the side table. She nodded and he proceeded to load a plate for them. When it came Thea's turn, he filled every available space on it, then offered her the overflowing plate.
    She glared at him mulishly, refusing to accept it.
    Hart shrugged, then settled the plate in front of her. He filled his own plate. Turning back to her, he wordlessly blew her a kiss before devouring a forkful of chicken.
    When Thea still made no move to eat, Hart said, "I will not be the one who goes hungry tonight."
    Curse the man, Thea thought, as she gathered up a bite of mutton and chewed on it.
    "Marry me, Thea."
    This time not only Emma but Mrs. Wiggins as well broke up into laughter.
    Thea nearly choked.
    *
    The next morning, after a sleepless night spent worrying about her behavior, Thea took tea in her room rather than risk coming across Hart alone. When the hour became quite late, she worried because no one had summoned her to the carriage. In hopes of discovering the cause, she opened her door to peep out. Hart stood not five feet away in the hallway. She quickly slammed the door, but not before hearing him call out, "Marry me, Thea!" The scoundrel.
    A few moments later, there came a tap at the door. Throwing it open, she was prepared to ring a peal over Hart's head. She felt a momentary disappointment when she found Emma standing there.
    "May I come in?"
    "Please do."
    "I overheard Lord Hartingfield speaking with his groom. It appears there will be a slight delay before our departure."
    "Whatever caused the delay, I'm grateful for it. I have something important to ask you, Emma." She took her friend's arm and led her to a settee.
    "Have you ever given any thought to immoral women, Emma?" Seeing her companion's lost look, Thea continued, "I mean, to what makes them immoral?"
    "I can't say that I have. Why?"
    "I have begun to wonder if I am fast."
    "Whatever have you been up to?" Emma appeared delightfully shocked.
    Thea quickly added, "I don't mean that I have yet done anything I shouldn't." At least she hoped she hadn't. "I merely find myself wanting to."
    "With—with Lord Hartingfield?" Emma's voice was thick with disbelief. When Thea blushed and nodded, Emma insisted, "Tell me all, at once!"
    "There isn't really much to tell. He has kissed me." When Thea heard her friend's giggle, she added, shamefacedly, "Twice."
    "No, Thea!" Emma's scandalized voice reduced to a whisper, "How could you?"
    "It wasn't so much how I could but rather, how I could not. And that is the crux of the matter." Thea paused, giving emphasis to her words. "Since my heart is not involved, I must be fast."
    Emma's experience could be summed up with one terribly chaste kiss, given to her by Charles, upon her acceptance of his proposal. She wasn't sure how to advise her friend but did not wish to reveal her own inexperience. She settled on an understanding look.
    "I have decided upon a course of action." Thea slashed the air with her hand. "Upon reaching London, I must quickly look over the eligibles and select a husband right away. Surely it cannot take too long to fall in love. Perhaps with marriage, children and a household to distract me, I may avert my baser instincts." She took a quick look at Emma to see how she had taken her impassioned monologue.
    Emma glowed with admiration.