To Refuse a Rake (7 page)

“I believe you once told me that it was impolite to stare, Miss Kingsly,” Hudson whispered, sending a shiver down her back.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Ah, I believe that’s my line. Were you simply… observing? I’m quite fond of observation myself.” He chuckled. The masculine sound was alluring.

Emma struggled to think of a quick retort. “I was not staring nor observing. Just trying to determine what the gentry find so fascinating about you,” she quipped and glanced down.

“Ah, you seek to wound my pride, Miss Kingsly. But I must warn you. Never come to a battle of wits unarmed, or with false answers. Ah! I see Lady Hewett!” He gently pulled her toward Lenore. Emma’s mind spun, seeking a suitable reply for his well placed remark but nothing came! Soon they were too close to Lord and Lady Hewett for her to say anything… but she’d put him in his place later. No. He wouldn’t get away with that last statement.

“Miss Kingsly, Lord Daventry.” Lord Hewett bowed and extended his hand to greet Emma. “You are looking quite lovely this evening, Miss Kingsly. I’m often telling my wife that simplicity is sometimes far more stunning than the opulence the ton seems to favor. Perhaps you might convince her where I have been unable.”

“Thank you, Lord Hewett,” Emma demurred then inwardly groaned. Lord Hewett’s opinion shouldn’t count. He could easily have been swayed by Hudson.

“I was just telling Miss Kingsly the very same thing. In fact, I told her that tonight she would be far more popular with her very becoming simplicity than if she were to wear her finest gown. What do you think, Hewett?” Hudson was grinning widely.

How she wanted to wipe that arrogant smirk from his face!

“Well, I cannot speak for every man, but I will say that I must agree with my friend’s astute observation.”

“You are quite becoming, Miss Kingsly.” Lenore added with an open expression. “Perhaps I will take my husband’s advice after all. Your take on fashion is quite…”She seemed to search for the word. “Fresh! That’s it! Like spring. I honestly believe it will catch on. Leave it to you, to come up with the season’s newest rage.” Lenore beamed and reached out to squeeze Emma’s hand.

Emma could feel Hudson’s gaze but she refused to turn and meet his triumphant expression. These were just two people out of the entire ton. Surely not every could hold to the same opinion… could they?

“It is always so refreshing to speak with you, Lady Hewett. You are truly wise beyond your years.” Hudson’s voice was smooth in its delivery of the compliment. “If you’ll excuse us.” He nodded and gently pulled Emma away.

“I do believe the score is in my favor, Miss Kingsly,” he murmured.

The melodic tone of his voice chased a shiver of awareness through her but she shook it off. “There are hundreds of people in attendance, Lord Daventry. I highly doubt that two people are a good indicator of the opinion of all others,” Emma said lightly and tilted her chin up in defiance.

Hudson’s eyes warmed and his lips stretched into a grin.

Must he always wear that arrogant, annoying…
alluring grin?
Emma wanted to… do something. Part of her wanted to cause bodily harm, yet part of her wanted to kiss him!

“Then shall we continue?”

“Of course.”

The music began and several couples began to dance the quadrille. Emma had excused herself from Hudson’s company and stayed next to her sister.

“May I have the honor of this dance, Miss Kingsly?” A gentleman extended his hand and offered her a genuine smile.

“Of course.”

“I must say you are lovely this evening, Miss Kingsly. Quite a breath a fresh air,” he commented as he led her towards dancing floor.

“Oh, er… why, thank you,” Emma stammered, hoping he was the last one to compliment her dress or hair.

“It’s refreshing to find a woman who isn’t as concerned with the finery and rather chooses to highlight her natural beauty.”

The dance began, and soon she was twirling around and connecting with other partners.

The evening continued in much the same fashion. Each set was danced with a different partner and each one commented in some fashion on her simplicity. Truly
simplicity
was the right word. For she had been simple-minded, slow-witted and crazy to think this would work! It was as if the exact opposite of her intention was coming true! It was shocking and each comment set her stomach on further on edge. How had Hudson known? And why had she ever agreed to the challenge? She resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands.

“Lord Daventry, you are the bane of my existence,” she muttered as she walked to the refreshment table.

“Lovely evening, wouldn’t you agree?” Hudson’s silky voice penetrated her misery.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear.” She turned and arched an eyebrow.

“Am I to assume your lovely lips were forming my name? Aloud no less? Well, well… I believe I can think of another lovely exercise your lips can perform… later.” He winked and reached for a flute of champagne.

“The night is not over.”

“Indeed it’s not. I must say I’m truly looking forward to the grand finale.” His eyes danced with merriment over his glass as he took a sip.

“How strange… I wasn’t aware of any finale.”

“Indeed? Well, allow me to remind you.” He set the flute down and turned his chocolate gaze toward her with warm intensity. “Upon arriving we… ventured… that you would be the sensation of the ball and men would be attracted to your simple beauty rather than be repulsed by it. Which was in stark contrast to your own beliefs. Since I am winning, by a vast majority I might add, I will receive my winner’s reward. A lingering, sensual kiss bestowed by none other than you.” He leaned forward and ran his fingers down her arm with a feather light touch before backing away.

Emma shivered then glanced around, hoping no one had noticed.

“I don’t remember ‘lingering or sensual’ being part of the agreement.” She spoke after deciding his misbehavior hadn’t been noted.

“Ahh, a kiss cannot be anything but!” Hudson admonished and crossed his arms.

“Well…” Emma didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t proper for her to be speaking of such things!

“I’ll not trouble your feminine sensibilities any longer.” Hudson chuckled then extended his hand. “I believe I should at least be the recipient of one dance.” He waited, raising his eyebrows as she glanced from his hand, to his face, then back at his hand.

She wanted to refuse him, but in doing so she’d create a stir. With a heavy sigh she grasped his hand and immediately noticed its warmth.

“Lovely. For a moment I thought you would refuse me,” he murmured as he led her to the floor.

“Believe me, the temptation was overwhelming.” As Emma followed his lead, her heart betrayed her by picking up speed. His hand sent a scorching heat through her glove and his chocolate gaze was stirring in ways she’d rather not explore.

“Then, why accept? Are you so fond of dancing that you don’t wish to sit out the rest of the evening?” Hudson turned as the first measures of a waltz began.

Emma groaned.

“You offend me! I’m really a gifted dancer.” Hudson pulled her in closer and began to glide across the floor.

Emma glared.

“You really aren’t as well mannered as everyone seems to think. I’ve asked you a question and all I’ve received is a groan and glare. Really, Emma…” He clicked his tongue and gave her a reproving look.

Emma glanced down and stepped on his foot. “Forgive me. I find I’m quite clumsy. Perhaps I’m simply tired from all the dancing. I believe I’ll retire earl—”

“You forget that you arrived in my carriage.” Hudson spoke patronizingly.

Emma narrowed her eyes and glanced away. “To answer your question, I didn’t refuse you because I didn’t want people to talk about why I sat out the rest of the dancing and associate me with you.” She turned back to Hudson and raised an annoyed eyebrow.

“Ah, I must say I’m impressed with your self-control and forethought. That must have been exceedingly difficult for you.”

“It was.” Emma nodded.

“Judging by your surly behavior, I’m assuming that you know how thoroughly you’ve lost. Am I correct? Though I must say my pride is terribly wounded that the bestowing of a kiss is such an ominous idea that your manners become deliberately foul.”

“Only around you.”

“Ah, so I provoke strong emotion, do I? You know the line between love and hate is quite thin…” Hudson remarked with a quirked eyebrow.

“They are oceans apart in my world.”

“I do love verbally sparring with you, but I am curious. Aren’t you at least wondering why I was so certain I’d win this challenge?”

Emma considered him. Truly, she was quite confused. She had been sure that her simple attire and severe coiffeur would cause a stir, but of an entirely different type. Didn’t all men love the beautiful gowns, expensive jewelry, and elaborate hairstyles? Wasn’t that why women did it?

She hesitated, not sure if she wanted to stoke his ego by admitting her ignorance. But her curiosity won out. “Do tell.”

“Miss Kingsly, allow me to give you a deep insight into the mind of a man. You see, while men do love to see their women dressed to present the wealth they, the men, have amassed, it is also quite fussy — the apparel, hats, and such. A man doesn’t dream of a woman in a heavily beaded gown with elaborately dressed hair. A man dreams of a woman without any…” He cleared his throat and glanced away as if uncomfortable. “Perhaps I should put it another way. A man dreams of a woman with long flowing hair, or hair pulled back neatly so that it is not in the way should he desire to kiss her. Men don’t dream of dresses that take several maids to remove, they dream of effortlessness… for reasons I won’t explain.” He grinned wolfishly. “In dressing with simple elegance tonight, you are far more inviting than if you were to dress in your finest gown. Women notice other women’s clothes. Men, usually, do not. They would rather dream about… what lies beneath.” He gave a discreet cough as his chocolate eyes burned with fervent intensity that made Emma’s stomach clench with awareness.

Could he be correct? Though that was certainly more information than was necessary — her face was unquestionably flushed with embarrassment — it was certainly interesting. If that were the case, why would women go to such lengths to impress each other, as Hudson believed? As she thought about it, though, it did make sense. The ladies of the ton were constantly speaking about this person’s gown or style and if she had made a faux pas. Weren’t parlors filled with those very same conversations the day after a large event?

“You’re seeing the truth in my statement. I can see it in your lovely blue eyes.”

“Possibly… but you really must take care and not speak of such things to ladies, Lord Daventry,” she scolded, trying to distract his attention.

“Forgive me, Miss Kingsly. I couldn’t think of another way to explain it… thoroughly.” He ended the dance and offered a deep bow. Then he rose and delivered her to her sister’s side.

“Lady Hodge, may I have the honor of this dance?”

Sadie nodded and walked away, leaving Emma to mull over all she had just learned. The nagging realization of his accuracy was almost as difficult to accept as the fact that she was beginning to dread the winning kiss even less. Indeed, she found herself almost filled with… anticipation. Could the night get any worse?

****

“Tell me, Lady Hodge, does your sister reserve her finest behavior for me or am I simply favored among men?”

At his question Lady Hodge burst into a giggle that she quickly covered with her gloved hand.

“Ah, well I must say that I haven’t seen her in such fine form… ever. Truly it must just be your ‘favored’ state, Lord Daventry. But I must admonish you, do not be discouraged. Surely you know my own sordid history and I’m afraid that has tainted my sister’s view of love. However…” She waved her fan and chuckled softly. “I do believe that if anyone can correct her false beliefs, it is you.”

How strange! Lady Hodge, who had borne the miserable burden of betrayal by two lovers, at least certainly in her own thinking, had such an optimistic view on love. Why couldn’t Emma have that same perspective? Hudson shook his head as he reached for another lady’s hand and twirled her around, leaving her in the care of her next partner.

At least Lady Hodge thought him to have a fighting chance. Indeed, that was good news! Though Emma was prickly at best, he was quite certain that her behavior stemmed from the fact that he threatened her ideas about love. Maybe he even tempted her to change her mind. How he hoped so! But he must take it slow. All that was needed was one false step on his part and she’d have her ideas set in stone for the rest of her life.

The dance ended and Lady Hodge accepted his offered hand.

“Care for a turn about the room?” he asked gently.

“Of course.” She said demurely. “While dancing I realized I might have overstepped and assumed too much, Lord Daventry.”

Hudson’s heartbeat stammered then continued its rhythm. Was she retracting her idea that he could indeed win Emma’s heart?

“I assumed that your interest in my sister went beyond a polite association. Forgive me if I assumed—”

“Lady Hodge, you were correct in your assumption. Indeed, I find myself irrevocably allured by your sister and hope to change her position on matrimony. But I also realize that it will, indeed, be a difficult endeavor.”

“It will, but her stubborn streak will not last forever. You see, sometimes it is easier for the person wronged to forgive and far more difficult for the person who loves the person wronged, to be able to forgive and let go. I’ve been blessed to know love, however short or, in another case, unfulfilled.” She glanced meaningfully at him.

“My brother?”

“Yes. But because I’ve seen the wonderful side of love, I’m able to hope in it, trust that the good far outweighs the bad. My sister, she has never seen any side but the miserable one. Rather than having an unbiased opinion, she is heavily jaded.”

“I thank you for sharing such
sensitive
subject matter with me, Lady Hodge. Truly you are a remarkable lady.” He bowed and kissed the air over her hand.