Free Lady in Demand by Wendy Vella Page A

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          “I understand at his last concert Klaukost made the Duchess of Breveal faint because she was so overawed by his playing. Unfortunately, she fell backwards onto Major Holliander, who I believe was not paying attention, and called her a bumbling fool. It is my understanding the Duke of Breveal then took exception to this insult to his beloved and, being a bit of a hot head, he swung a fist at the Major. Unfortunately, it missed and connected with Miss Holden who was so incensed to have spilled her glass of…”
          “You’re making that up!”
          She was looking at him now.
          “Are you calling me a liar, Miss Langley? For shame.”
          She sighed. “No, I would never go so far as to call you a liar, my lord. And I have been sitting here as you made up that ridiculous story, wondering how I am to apologize to you for my behavior this morning.”
    “‘I’m sorry for my behavior this morning’ would be a good place to start.”
    “I’m sorry for my behavior this morning,” she said, repeating his words and looking like she’d swallowed something vile.
    “You don’t like to apologize, do you, Phoebe?”
    Her nose wrinkled as she thought about his words.
    “Not particularly. In fact, I try not to do so unless absolutely necessary, Lord Levermarch. But I’m aware that you were right when you stated my behavior was petty.”
    “I have never seen you petty before, Phoebe. It was something of a shock.”
    She laughed, which made her lovely eyes sparkle and her face light and Finn wondered if any man could resist this woman when she looked that way.  
    “And I had expected you to roar your condemnation for my behavior at me, so we were both shocked, Lord Levermarch.”
    “I don’t always roar, Phoebe, contrary to what my brothers say.”
    Finn saw something flash in her eyes at the mention of his brothers and then she lowered them.
    “I like your brothers, my lord. They are very nice, well-mannered men.”
    “Yes, I believe that after years of hammering manners into them they are beginning to show some promise.”
    She looked at him for a few seconds, and it was a steady look, unlike the other woman of society who usually lowered there eyes or looked at his chin. Phoebe really studied him.
    “Do you know, Lord Levermarch, I believe this is the first time we have conversed without insulting each other.”
          Finn thought about that. “I believe you are correct, Phoebe. Perhaps you should show this side of your nature more often.”
          “My nature! Why is the fault for our previous encounters solely mine?”
          He lifted an eyebrow, which was enough to irritate her further.
          “You are as much to blame as I, with your pompous manner and self-righteous beliefs, Lord Levermarch.”
          It seemed their short truce was at an end.
          “I’m not pompous or self-righteous, merely assured, Phoebe. There is a difference.”
          She folded her arms. “You’re arrogant and have your own way far too often!”  
          “You will break my heart if you keep saying such mean things.” Finn enjoyed teasing Phoebe, as the result was really quite something.  
          “You do surprise me, my lord.”
          He elevated one eyebrow again as she glared at him.
          “In what way, Miss Langley?”
          “I had not, until now, realized you had a heart.”
          “I do believe that hurt,” Finn said, solemnly placing a hand on his chest.
          “Here’s what I think,” she interrupted him. “I think you like women to be simpering and cowed, which I hasten to add I am neither, and never will be.”
          She was, however, magnificent, he thought, but as he liked to have full use of his limbs, he kept that thought to himself.
          “Your future wife, if such a paragon exists, has my undying sympathy.”
          “Tell me,