Free Wolfishly Yours by Lydia Dare Page B

attention back to her once more.
    “That sound is the most melodious tinkle I’ve heard all day.” His brown eyes twinkled with happiness. “Miss Mayeux, you should do it more often.”
    Sophie shot him a stern glance and then looked at Livi. “Well-placed laughter is fine. But try to contain your mirth when you’re able.”
    “Still spouting rules and regulations, Soph?” He made a noise in his throat. “At some point, you’ll have to stop being quite so proper and have some fun.”
    “I’ll have fun when I have my cottage back,” Lady Sophia said in a soft voice.
    Mr. Siddington’s face fell into a sympathetic smile.
    There was a story there. And Livi was determined to find out what was so special about this blasted cottage. She fanned her face. “I find it very stuffy in here,” she said.
    “Indeed,” the duchess agreed.
    “So, tonight, at the musicale—”
    “That is a very nice try, Sophie,” Mr. Siddington cut her off. “Only the loss of an unfortunate wager would make me attend that musicale. I’d like to still have my ears in working order this time tomorrow.”
    Sophie sighed. “You were always so difficult.”
    “One of my better qualities.”
    “Henry,” Sophie pleaded. “Miss Mayeux is new to England and hardly knows a soul. If you won’t attend the Longboroughs’ musicale tonight, then I’ll expect you to show your face at the Assembly Room tomorrow. And I’ll expect you to partner Miss Mayeux for at least one dance.”
    Mr. Siddington gazed at Sophie critically and said in a teasing voice, “So I can tread upon her toes? You know dancing is not my forte.”
    “Then the two of you shall suit perfectly,” Sophie said. She gave him a pleading look that reminded Livi of her brothers’ hounds.
    “Oh, good God. I’ll do it.” He bowed toward Livi. “Until tomorrow, Miss Mayeux?” he asked.
    Dancing? Livi nodded reluctantly. He seemed like a nice enough man, especially if Sophie liked him. But dancing?
    Sophie cleared her throat as though urging Livi to accept the offer.
    “Until tomorrow,” Livi muttered.
    Mr. Siddington nodded to someone across the room, then smiled back at the women at the table. “Do excuse me.” Then he turned on his heel and made his way through the crowd to Lord Robert’s side. Indeed, that man made the hair on the back of Livi’s neck stand up. How was it possible that the two men were friends?
    “If only Mr. Siddington could be a good influence on Robert,” the duchess grumbled, “I’d leave the man half my fortune.”
    Anxiety gnawed at Livi’s stomach. She looked at Sophie, who appeared to be engrossed in thought. “I believe you forgot one thing,” Livi said.
    “What is that?” Sophie asked, her brow knitting.
    “I do not know how to dance.”
    The duchess gasped and Sophie rushed to soothe the old woman by placing her hand on one of the duchess’. “She is jesting, Your Grace. Miss Mayeux is a beautiful dancer.”
    And Lady Sophia was a fantastic liar, but Livi held her tongue. She and her tutor would have to have a long talk as soon as they left the odiferous Pump Room. How in the world could Livi possibly become a beautiful dancer in only one day?
    ***
    Gray slumped into a high-back chair in the front parlor, a copy of The Times in his hand. Thankfully his head pounded less, though that probably had more to do with the fact that no one but himself, the mostly silent servants, and the still sleeping Earl of Holmesfield were in residence than with the damned raw egg he’d swallowed. He couldn’t imagine what had possessed him to try such a thing. Positively disgusting.
    He heard the front door creak open just as Holmesfield’s butler said, “My lord, welcome back.”
    “Thank you.” Archer’s voice filtered into the parlor. “Be a good man and tell me the best path to take to avoid Lady Sophia.”
    Gray sat a little straighter. “No one is here but me, Arch!” he called loudly.
    A second later, his brother stood on the