Free A Game of Persuasion: Extended Prologue for the Art of Ruining a Rake (The Naughty Girls Book 3) by Emma Locke Page B

form. How dare he slip away and leave her with these—with these infants!
    “That’s a quid for me,” Felton said to Kinsey, elbowing the latter. “Easier than I expected, what.”
    Lucy turned to glower at the two men who’d interjected themselves into what had been until then a good show. “You wagered on me?”
    Lord Felton laughed. “Suppose you could see it that way. Really, the bet was on Montborne. The way he’s monopolized you these last few nights, I expected him to put up more of a fight.”
    She scowled as she found Roman with her eyes. He was at her brother’s side now. As irritated as she was, she had to admit this was where the evening had been headed. He’d been only moments from abandoning her for Trestin; Lord Felton and Lord Kinsey had only spurred him along.
    She stood straighter and tried to school her expression into something more grateful-looking. Even if they’d come only to rile Roman, it was preferable to flirt with Lord Felton than no one at all.
    “Shall we dance, then?” she asked, careful to keep from sounding too eager.
    Lord Felton shrugged. “We could stroll in the garden until the next set forms. Whatever the lady prefers.”
    Oh, that was most assuredly forward of him. And yet, what was more likely to make Roman jealous? A well-chaperoned dance or a private turn through the courtyard?
    She glanced at her brother again. Trestin was glaring at Roman. Roman was scowling back. Good. Neither would remark on her absence until it was too late—if they noticed at all.
    Mustering her brightest smile, she turned back to Lord Felton. “I’d be delighted to see the gardens, my lord.”
    “Very good, Miss Lancester.” This time when he passed one of the glasses of lemonade to her, she took it. Next he offered his arm. As they made their way to the open doors, she caught a glimpse of her brother through the dancers.
    She craned her neck to see better, looking over her shoulder to find Roman as Lord Felton escorted her to the terrace. There. Roman was fair and dashing beside her darker-featured, more somber brother. The two men were walking not toward her, but toward a dark-haired woman in a low-cut gown.
    Lucy placed her hand on the doorframe and arched backward to see them as Lord Felton attempted to pull her through the double doors.
    Trestin was smiling at the enticing woman, though his eyes betrayed his misery. He bent over her hand. The lady smiled, then trailed her other hand along Roman’s sleeve.
    To Lucy’s relief, Roman turned and walked away.

Chapter 6

    LUCY MADE SURE to call on Celeste for another lesson on the day of her and Delilah’s come-out. After all, Roman had promised to pay court to her tonight. Too, Lord Felton had held her hand rather earnestly as he’d led her through Lady Melbourne’s moonlit garden, and Lord Kinsey had also asked for a dance after her stroll.
    She’d returned home at the end of the night feeling quite successful, even if Roman hadn’t erupted in a fit of jealousy, much to her disappointment.
    Celeste met Lucy in the drawing room. As usual, she wore a simple yet expensive frock, and her thick, auburn hair was pulled back into a loose chignon. Her tired smile matched the dullness of her eyes.
    No matter how she pretended, she still missed Trestin. Lucy clenched her fists. Roman! He ought not have introduced Trestin to that—that woman . Lucy didn’t doubt for a moment the raven-haired sophisticate dripping with jewels was exactly the sort to kiss a married man behind a potted plant.
    “How are you faring today, my dear?” Celeste asked, grasping Lucy’s hands and squeezing tightly. As if Lucy were the one who needed comforting.
    Lucy forced her glower away and replaced it with a bright smile instead. It wouldn’t help matters to describe what she’d witnessed the night prior. Better to focus on that which was within her control.
    “Most wonderfully, actually. Lady Melbourne’s ball was marvelous.” Lucy’s lips curved into a