Free Desperate and Daring 02 - Belle of the Ball by Ella J. Quince Page B

them.”
    Lady Wellsford laughed. “Don’t be so shy. You will spend the rest of your life with the affection of only one man. Enjoy the moment.”
    Anabelle patted Hazels hand and stood. She wasn’t as overwhelmed by the thought as Hazel was. But then again, Hazel always preferred to not be the center of attention. “I’m going to change my dress,” she said over her shoulder as she left the drawing room. She went in search of her list. She wanted to have it on hand in case she met any gentlemen that she would want to add as a potential husband. After her disappointing kiss with Lord Marcus, she had felt forlorn, but now she felt that her chances had improved. Certainly, one among the many bouquets of flowers could be the man of her dreams? The odds had to be in her favor for once.
    *
    The following evening, Anabelle had her list tucked in her bodice as she entered a musicale hosted by Lady Summers. She and Hazel mingled as usual, finding Lucy and their seats before the musicale started. The afternoon after the masquerade, their drawing room had not only overflowed with flowers, but gentlemen, was well. Sadly, Anabelle only added three more names to her list of gentlemen who could be promising prospects, but she was enjoying the attention, nonetheless, and even now as they sat, gentlemen took seats around them and tried to catch their attention.
    “Like bees to honey,” Lucy murmured. “You two are the talk of the town.”
    “I don’t see why I have to be included. It was Anabelle who made all the waves,” Hazel grumbled.
    Anabelle patted Hazel on the back. “I’m sorry, dear.”
    “You don’t like it?” Lucy said with wide eyes. “Why on earth not?”
    Hazel rolled her eyes. “Look around. They are like scent hounds and act as if I’ve bacon hidden in my pockets.”
    Lucy laughed aloud, garnering the three even more attention. Hazel shushed her.
    “What woman likes this sort of attention?”
    “I don’t mind it,” Anabelle admitted.
    “Neither do I. Pardon me as I linger in your shadow.” Lucy smiled wickedly.
    Hazel sat up straighter and faced forward.
    Anabelle watched her curiously and then looked in the direction Hazel was intently looking. Anabelle poked Lucy in the side behind Hazel’s chair. “Is that Lord Bainbridge?” Anabelle said.
    Lucy nodded and smiled knowingly. “Indeed. Why have the attention of many men when you only want the attention of one.”
    Hazel gave them both withering glares. “Please excuse me. I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
    No sooner had Hazel departed and Rigsby took her seat.
    He nodded to Lucy and then turned to Anabelle. “Beg pardon, but I need to hide amid your skirts.”
    “Excuse me?” Anabelle choked.
    “No time to explain.” He put his arm over the back of her chair.
    Anabelle looked at it like it was a snake and then back at him. “You better explain what this is about.”
    He sighed. “You are all the rage, and if I’m seen courting you, then Lord Paller won’t think I’m the one who was with his fiancée last night.”
    “Jonathan, you wouldn’t,” Lucy admonished.
    “Well, no. Not exactly. It wasn’t actually me, but rumor has it that it was.”
    “He will put a bullet through your heart,” Lucy added.
    “Which is why I need Anabelle to protect me—excuse me, may I call you Anabelle?”
    Anabelle nodded. “I suppose it’s all right given my connection with your sister.”
    “You don’t consider us friends?” He put his free hand to his heart and looked devastated.
    Anabelle didn’t buy it for a second.
    He dropped the act. “Be that as it may, if you do this for me, I will consider you a dear friend, my savior even.”
    “You may sit beside me, but you must confine yourself to your chair.”
    “That is Hazel’s chair,” Lucy reminded them.
    “She won’t mind. She can sit beside Draven. Save the seat beside you, ol’ boy.”
    Anabelle turned just as Draven entered the row. He raised a brow at all the gentlemen