Free The Demon's Mistress by Jo Beverley Page B

expected another young man to be outraged.
    Or perhaps she was misreading a dark mood that had nothing to do with her.
    The bell rang to warn of the end of the intermission, so Maria invited the major to stay. He accepted, and she settled to the next act plotting how to keep him by Vandeimen’s side as long as possible. She could bear his antagonism if she must.
    At the next intermission, they all strolled in the corridor. Maria wasn’t sure how, but she ended up partnered with the major, while Vandeimen escorted Louisa Embleborough, a young miss suitable for either of these handsome heroes.
    â€œJealousy? Already?”
    She looked up into those very blue, very chilly eyes. There was no doubt. He was antagonistic toward her. She’d like to confront him directly about it, but that might drive him away. She made herself answer lightly. “Not at all, Major. I know how devoted Lord Vandeimen is to me, and I trust his sense of honor.”
    His eyes narrowed, but then changed, so that she couldn’t be sure what she’d seen. “Perhaps it is I who am jealous, Mrs. Celestin. You are exceptionally beautiful.”
    Ah. Blatant fortune hunters she could deal with. Smiling, she said, “No, I’m not.”
    â€œYou must allow me to know my own mind, ma’am. Beauty is not the same in every eye.”
    â€œStrange, then, that some people become acknowledged beauties.”
    He looked around and discreetly indicated a young brunette surrounded by men. “I don’t know who she is, but I assume she is a toast.”
    â€œMiss Regis? Yes, she is much admired.”
    â€œI’m sure she is perfect to many, but I cannot admire a turned-up nose, and her smile is far too wide.” He looked back at her. “Your mouth, however, is perfect.”
    Her not-too-wide smile was making her cheeks ache. Did he know she didn’t want to send him off with a flea in his ear?
    â€œPerfect,” she echoed. “How lovely. What else about me is perfect, Major? I’m thirty-three years old and must hoard any compliments that still come my way.”
    â€œYou’re barren,” he said. “And that is not a compliment.”
    Her breath caught. “And you are an uncouth swine, but you probably can’t help that, either.”
    They were both smiling, hiding their battle from those around.
    â€œVan’s marrying you for your money. If he needs money, I’ll find a way to get it for him.”
    â€œAre you Midas, then? He lost ten thousand in one night.” She watched in satisfaction as his smile disappeared. “Now, escort me back to my box.”
    At the door he halted, smile absent, hostility unmasked. “He deserves better than to marry for money, Mrs. Celestin. And he needs a family.”
    She agreed with him, but she couldn’t let that show. “I want his happiness, Major Hawkinville. For that reason, you are welcome to call at my house. You will understand, I’m sure, if I try to avoid you.”
    She went into the box alone.
    Van was finding shy Miss Embleborough hard work, but he kept an eye on Maria and Hawk at the same time. He might not have seen a great deal of his friend over the past ten years, but he could still read him. He was in a hawkish mood.
    Doubtless he thought Maria a heartless harpy and was riding to the rescue. As the bell sounded and people flowed back into their boxes, he managed to pass Miss Embleborough on to her brother, and paused with Hawk outside the box.
    He closed the door, leaving them alone in the corridor. “You can’t fight with Mrs. Celestin without picking a fight with me, you know. And I always win.”
    He said it lightly, but Hawk would understand that he was serious.
    â€œOnly because you’ve always been a madman.” The tense look eased, however. “I probably did go a bit beyond the line.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œShe said you lost ten thousand in one night. What the devil