Free Just Perfect by Jomarie Degioia Page B

was. The mention of the very man Constance couldn’t get out of her mind. “L-Lord Chester?”
    “Oh, yes, Lord Chester!” Diane cried. “He’s quite handsome and most pleasant. Though I can’t quite sketch a true picture of his character.”
    Constance knew what she meant, for he was always so perfect in every social situation. Saying the right thing, dressed the right way, acting in the right manner. Aside from those blessed moments he’d held her in his arms at Leed Manor, that is.
    “He has done work for Lord Kanewood. That is certain,” Sarah said. “During that business with the earl’s brother, at least.”
    Diane shivered. “Horrid, that. Stealing funds and attempted murder?”
    Sarah nodded, her eyes bright. “It’s rumored that Lord Chester has worked with the government, but no one can say in what capacity. He’s well-respected and his opinions count in Parliament. He’s affable and most pleasant, I’ll allow. Well-connected and wealthy, and welcome wherever he goes.”
    “A perfect gentleman,” Diane concluded.
    Constance could practically see the interest sparking in the girl’s mind. She wouldn’t let it smolder into flames of desire, however. Lord Chester wasn’t for Diane, or even Sarah for that matter. He was for her .
    She alone had seen the dark glint of intent in those deep brown eyes of his as he stole glances at her from across the ballroom. She alone had encountered the tenseness of his firmly muscled body as he held her sedately during the dance. She alone had felt the impact of his intriguing smile, curved with heat instead of politeness as he’d nearly kissed her.
    Yes, she knew there was far more to the Earl of Chester than the well-connected perfect gentleman. Far more.
    And she would die before she let another lady steal him from her.
     

Chapter 2
    William stood on the fringe of the dance floor, watching the entrance for one particular woman. He smiled and bowed his head to the eagle-eyed matrons stationed near the refreshments. The hair on the back of his neck stood up at the cold calculation in their gazes.
    Taking his attention from them, he scanned the dance floor once more. He saw the girls he’d met at Leed’s ancient estate over the winter, at least most of them. Diane Plymouth and Leed’s sisters. They were pretty girls, the sisters especially. A matched set of beauties, blessed with the Talbot blue eyes and thick sable hair. They didn’t draw him for long, though. He regarded them as sisters and always had. It was a shame that the eldest, Catherine, had been ill-used by that bastard Waltham last year. Thrown over for a friend of hers with a larger dowry.
    He glanced at Diane and was stunned to find her gaze almost predatory as she spied him. If he was wary before, he was definitely on guard now. Since when was that girl on the hunt?
    She narrowed her gaze, saying something to the Talbot sisters he couldn’t comprehend, then made her determined way over to him. Keeping his expression pleasant and impassive, he cast about for anything to occupy himself. Leed danced with his lovely wife, Michelle, and Kane with his Rebecca. No escape there, then. Choking back the glass of sickeningly sweet punch, he set the glass down on the nearest tray and turned.
    “Lord Chester!” he heard her call.
    Damn. Too late. Fixing a smile on his face, he turned again and faced the girl. “Good evening.”
    “Are you not dancing tonight, Lord Chester?”
    “I have danced, yes.”
    She peered up at him, waiting for something. A flash of gold caught his eye then, movement on the other side of the dance floor. A flick of his gaze showed Constance was headed his way. He barely had time to register how pretty she looked before a wave of relief crashed over him.
    “There you are, Diane,” he heard her say in that soft, husky voice of hers.
    His lungs seized, then he took in a slow breath. “Constance,” he said with a bow.
    She gazed at him for a heart-stopping moment, then she