Authors: Nichole Matthews
Lord Rockwell was the best part of the evening so far. She could happily look at him all night and he wouldn’t even notice. Normally during regular Society functions she could only see a few feet in front of her because Miss Harris refused to allow her to wear her spectacles in public. Ridiculous notion! How was it better to be blind? Look where it got her at the
Crenshaw’s
ball. She had practically knocked him off the balcony. So across a crowded ball room, Rockwell was always just a blur, but not then and definitely not tonight. He must be a good man. He always accompanied his mother to all of her social engagements. That doesn’t sound like a ruined rogue to me. It seemed like a kind and generous man. He was just the kind of man that she would find attractive, rugged and hard on the outside and soft on the inside.
As if he knew he was being thought about, he glanced up, looked around, then cut a glance over his shoulder. Graydon caught Piper’s intense blue gaze staring back at him through almost identical gold rimmed spectacles.
She sucked in a breath, a flush stole across her cheeks as she quickly looked down at her lap to hide her consternation. Blast! Her foot knocked loudly against her chair leg. Nervously she pulled on her ear hoping to calm her overworked nerves.
His eyes narrowed interestedly for a brief moment as he regarded the top of the familiar stranger’s head then he turned back to the book on his lap.
Chester hit her leg to stop her annoying tapping. “Be still!”
She jerked nervously at his touch on her knee. “He looked right at me,” she whispered through her lips. “I’m doomed.”
“
Quit being so dramatic and quit staring at him then,” Chester said with humor in his voice. “He doesn’t even know who you are,” Chester whispered back. “Calm down. You’re the one who is going to cause a scene.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “One minute you’re exhilarated, and then the next you’re doomed. Make up your mind, and be quick about it.”
“
Shhh…” A large somberly dressed man with heavy jowls and a full grey mustache covering his mouth shushed them from behind.
Looking behind her she glared at the corpulent gentleman. The buttons on his waistcoat stretched to the point that they seem to be holding on for dear life, looking to Piper as if they wanted to escape. Honestly people could be so rude. She raised her brow as if to say,
There is no way you are truly interested in this boring drivel
?
“
I’ve only spoken to him once and that was briefly.” She arched a questioning brow. “I saw him this afternoon on Piccadilly. He was with Seymour.”
“
As I’m sure you were not in trousers at that time…” Chester trailed off with a deep sigh and a mocking roll of his eyes.
“
You’ve talked to him before haven’t you, Chester?” Piper leaned over and inquired with an impassioned whisper into his ear. “Is he as bad as they say?”
Not even glancing at her he whispered, “Of course, at the club. He is an intimate acquaintance with Parker. All men are not
bad
Piper, he is no different. I personally have never heard of him truly crossing any lines.”
The fat gentleman behind them shushed at them once again; even more loudly this time. Turning around quickly, “You shush! You’re making more noise by going…
Shhh
…
Shhh
…
Shhh
…” She held her finger mockingly in front of her mouth.
“
Piper,” Chester whispered. “Turn around and be quiet.”
Facing forward, she looked up with an annoyed frown on her face and once again looked straight into Rockwell’s amber eyes.
With a puckered brow he studied her face with a speculative gaze.
Squirming in her seat, she quickly looked away. Her face heated once again with a dark flush.
Not soon enough in Piper’s estimation, the reading was over.
Chester stood and grabbed Piper by the arm. “Let’s go before someone notices you or you start a brawl.” He grinned widely at her. “I thought you were going to keep a low profile while we were here? You seem to be in a very contentious mood tonight.” He shook his head in resignation. “I should have known. You and Poppy never could do anything by halves.”
“
But I wanted to interview the speaker,” she pointed out. “How am I going to improve anything if I don’t talk to him, or at least the club leader? I need more information for my own salon.”
“
Piper, you will be ruined. We cannot afford for you to be caught…” he broke off abruptly when he glanced over her shoulder, his eyes widened in fright. “Oh great…” he muttered. “We are in trouble now.”
Abruptly looking over her shoulder, Piper’s bright color quickly drained when she looked into Rockwell’s eyes. “Blast!” She threw her tan gloved hand over her mouth realizing she spoke aloud.
Humor lit his eyes. “Portland, I haven’t seen you here before. I hadn’t realized you were into literary pursuits.” Graydon’s deep voice rumbled down her spine his glance towards her one of pure interest. Piper shivered as she felt him talk. His voice was so raw and masculine.
“
Well…um…as a matter-of-fact, I…well this is the first time I’ve attended,” Chester stammered. “But I have heard ‘tis brilliant fun. Very educational. Trying to improve myself you know.” He shook his head nervously. “My father thinks I should prepare myself better for my future inheritance. You know how fathers can be.”
Piper inwardly groaned at Chester’s incessant ramblings. She tugged nervously at her right ear.
“
I see.” With narrowed eyes Graydon looked at Chester’s companion. “Who is your friend, I don’t believe we have met?”
“
Oh I say, Lord Rockwell, this is my cousin George Smith from Devonshire,” he said, pointing at Piper. “He’s the one truly interested. He’s a man of intellectual pursuits. Just wants to be prepared when he comes to London. Connections you know.”
“
Your cousin you say?” Graydon’s narrowed gaze raked over Piper from head to toe. He barely reached his shoulder. He inclined his head. He seemed awfully young. Features far too delicate for a young man. Hmmm…and he looks awfully familiar. “Is this your first time in London, Smith?” he asked casually, his furrowed brows golden slashes across his forehead.
“
Yes, my lord.” Piper knew this wasn’t going to be easy; she nervously pulled on her earlobe some more as she felt her pulse intensify.
Feeling sorry for the young chap, he should have waited until he was better equipped before coming to Town. He can barely hold a conversation. It was obvious his clothes were of high quality, but they must be hand-me-downs. Positively ill-fitting. He was surprised that Portland would allow his cousin to go about town so shabbily dressed. He glanced briefly at Portland before speaking, “Have you heard if Hawk is in town yet?” Graydon’s eyes were locked on Piper as he spoke.
With her lower lip caught between her teeth, Piper glared imploringly at Chester. Her eyes widened with meaning as she released the breath she was holding.
“
Oh no, but he is expected to arrive soon,” Chester responded amiably. “Saw Ash over dinner tonight. Should be at his club.”
Piper knew Chester was extremely flattered that Rockwell had even deemed him worthy enough for a private conversation, but this could easily turn into a disaster she thought, closing her eyes.
Just breathe
…
just breathe
…
just breathe
…she repeated.
“
And
Smith
,” Graydon said with a sidelong glance. “How are you enjoying London so far?” He arched a questioning brow.
Her eyes flew open when she realized Rockwell was addressing her. She glanced up and up and up from underneath her lashes, “F-f-fine,” Piper stuttered and stammered before going quiet.
I’m such an idiot
. She groaned quietly, pressing her hand flat against her thigh before rubbing nervously at her right earlobe again. Clearing her throat she tried to make her voice sound even deeper, “I’m just up trying to get some town bronze you know, and take in some more pleasurable entertainments, if you know what I mean, my lord,” she practically squeaked, jabbing Graydon in the ribs with her elbow.
Good God I was right
! Those are not the eyes of a man. A pair of the most gorgeous blue eyes he had ever seen peered nervously up at him. Long sweeping lashes fluttered against her cheek. He would know those eyes anywhere.
He
’s a she! He was much too delicate even for an extremely young man. With one brow cocked, what was Portland up to? “Indeed. I know exactly what you mean. There’s a new opera dancer in Town and I intend to sample her. Very voluptuous,
if you know what I mean
.” He winked at Piper using his hands to show her size. “She is so much more than a handful.” His sardonic tone made her flush with embarrassment.
Chester snorted inelegantly. With a nervous look in his eyes, he kept peering at Piper. He tugged his crumpled square of linen from his jacket pocket once again mopping his sweating brow.
Graydon continued, “I personally have never been a man into small women. I like an armful. Tall, leggy, soft…” He cocked his eyebrow as he cuffed Piper on the arm, tilting his head knowingly.
“
Quite,” Piper croaked, before clearing her throat, “Right-o,” she tried again with a stiff chuckle, punching her arm out bouncing on her toes nervously. “An armful.”
He towered over her. She had to tilt her head back almost uncomfortably to look at his face. There was such an aura of leashed power that hung about him. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
Oh, my goodness, he smelled divine
. She unconsciously scanned his face, square jaw, well-shaped nose, and a firm full mouth. She was feeling warm all of a sudden. Her hands nervously played with the brim of her beaver hat. Her brows furrowed when her eyes settled on his lips, she realized his mouth was quirked in a tiny smile.
Hell and damnation
! He looked like he was up to something.
Slowly she raised her eyes to meet his. They weren’t just brown; they were gold as well. Right now they seemed to glow with a golden hue that matched his honey blonde hair. His simmering amber eyes roamed over her. He was like a lion, so sleek and powerful who ruled over his domain.
Oh my!
She thought as her breath caught. There was a twinkle of humor in them. His winged golden brows rose as if he knew
she
was up to something as well.
She must be acting like a perfect ninny, that’s all. She was acting like she had never met a real life man before. How perfectly ridiculous she was! She shook her head and blew out her pent up breath with a loud puff of air.
“
Very good. Maybe we will meet again before you leave, Smith.” He looked at Chester before he glanced back at Piper, Rockwell bowed slightly. “Nice to meet you,
Smith
.” His eyes never left her face while he waited for her to respond.
“
You as well, m-m-my lord,” Piper rasped on a strangled whisper as she bowed. She rocked nervously from foot to foot as she waited for Chester.
Chester quickly bowed to Rockwell then he grabbed Piper by the arm and practically dragged her out of the room.
His instincts were never wrong. He tapped his chin pensively,
hmmm…how very interesting
. Graydon thought; a feral grin spread across his face. The hunt was on. He had caught the scent of his next prey and he was going to chase it out in the open. Portland didn’t seem clever enough to have devised a scheme such as this all on his own. Finally he had something interesting to occupy his time; and so early in the season as well.
His lips quirked, I wonder if Ash was aware of this little masquerade, surely not. ‘George Smith’. He watched as the little
man
practically had to run to keep up with Portland. His eyes narrowed as they were drawn to the provocatively swaying gently rounded backside that peeped out between the tails on
his
bottle green coat. He didn’t know a single man with a bottom like that. He could spot a female from a mile away he thought with an intrigued smile. Well, well, well. Turning with a curiously light spring in his step, he whistled a jaunty tune.
………………………………
Piper thought she was going to faint as they made their way to the pavement in front of the townhouse, doubling over in a fit of giggles grabbing her aching sides. Rivulets of tears were streaming down her cheeks. “That is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” She swiped at her wet cheeks with her coat sleeves. “I wish Poppy could have witnessed this. She would be so proud of me.”
“
Shhh…” Chester said hastily through gritted teeth. “We’re not alone yet.”
Glancing cautiously around, Piper quickly gained control of her laughter wiping the grin off her face. “That was close,” she whispered loudly. “Oh my goodness, I cannot believe he actually came up to you! I hadn’t realized you knew him that well.”
“
We belong to the same club is all?” Chester shrugged. “He’s a dashed fine fellow, top of the trees. See him with Ash all the time.”