Free Loving Protector by Sally Quilford Page A

not want to go with me?”
    “That is not it, colonel. I suppose I
just feel guilty about Blanche. She has longed to meet the King.”
    “And no doubt would encourage young
Purbeck to challenge him to a duel if she thinks the king does not like her.”
    Calista could not help smiling at that.
She doubted even the foolish Purbeck would dare do such a thing.
    “Please say you will come, Calista.” His
voice was gentle and seductive. “My great aunt is very eager to present you to
the King.”
    How could Calista explain to him that
seeing the King did not really matter? Only the chance to spend another evening
in the colonel’s company excited her. If only she did not have so many doubts
as to why he had asked her. If only she had the courage to ask him, but she
feared causing offence if she were wrong. It was not the sort of thing one
blurted out when such a kind invitation had been given. Added to which, she was
confused because of her feelings for him. She did not trust her own responses
if he replied that, yes, he had only done it to teach Blanche a lesson. She
might break down in tears in front of him, and then he would no doubt despise
her.
    “I’m waiting for your answer,” he said.
    “Thank you for your kind invitation. I
would like to meet the King.” Let him think that was her only interest in the
evening.  That way she would not be laying herself open to him.
    His eyes narrowed slightly. “Good. Then
it is settled. I have to spend the day at my house, working on the plans with
Mr. Benedict. I will see you at dinner tonight, perhaps.” He bowed and went
towards the door, then turned back. “If I have said something to offend you,
Calista, then I am sorry. Or perhaps it was because of last night?”
    “Last night?”
    “With my father calling me nouveau
riche. No doubt it made you think differently about me.”
    “No. Not at all. I do not see why it
even matters.”
    “It does in Almacks. And in most of what
we call society.”
    “Is that why you left?”
    “No, I left because Lady DeVilliers
asked me to, to help defuse the situation. One thing I learned in the army is
that sometimes one has to know when to retreat and when to advance.”
    “It was not fair that you should have to
leave and Purbeck did not.”
    “He’s a hot headed child. Such behaviour
in him is more forgivable than it would have been in a man of my age. Though he
is now on borrowed time. He will not survive many more such outbursts.”
    “That is what your great aunt said to
Blanche.”
    “She is right. Already people are
talking about it, and her name is connected. They were even talking about it
when I went to St James Palace last night.”
    “Is that where you went? After you left
Almacks?”
    “Yes. That was when the King invited me
to the ball. Why?”
    “Oh. No reason. I just …” Calista could
not admit to him that she had sat at the window for ages waiting for him to
return. “I just wondered, that’s all.”
    The colonel smiled. “I see. Were you
worried about me, Calista?”
    “I hardly think you need anyone to worry
about you, colonel.”
    “Everyone needs at least one person in
their life who waits at the window for them.”
     Blushing furiously, Calista stared
after him wide-eyed as he took his leave.
    Calista, Evelyn and Blanche had their
coats on and were about to leave for their walk, when they were summoned by
Lady Bedlington. Unusually for such an early hour, Her Ladyship was up and
dressed.
    “I am glad I caught you,” she said.
“Evelyn, I wish to make a gift to you and the two young ladies.”
    “Your hospitality is enough,” said Evelyn.
    “That is very kind. But I still wish to
make a gift and I shall be offended if you refuse. What I thought was that I
would buy you all a brand new ball.”
    “Lady Bedlington, really… That is a very
kind offer. Only it seems rather a lot…”
    “As I said, Evelyn, I shall be offended
if you refuse. After last night’s unpleasantness, I wish to do