Trowbridge raised her chin with his fingers. “I dare you to tell me your vices.”
Looking into the cobalt eyes above her, she consulted her conscience. “I do not suffer fools. I lack patience in general, as a matter of fact. I’m afraid my manner is too abrupt for society. For instance, my lord, I must say I really do not think you should judge by appearances. People with angelic faces can be quite horrid on the inside.” She reminded herself of this fact as she studied his perfectly drawn eyebrows.
At that moment, they were rejoined by Lady Melissa. “Oh, my dearest Sophie! I do so long to have a comfortable coze. You must come for tea tomorrow afternoon. Have you been long in Town?”
“I arrived two days ago. I should be happy to come for tea tomorrow.”
Sophie’s friend turned her attention to Lord Trowbridge. “My lord, how is it you know my friend?”
“I am her brother-in-law’s heir. At least, until he has male offspring,” the viscount said. “He thought we would suit. We met only this evening, and already Miss Edwards tries to deceive me. She insists she is no angel. What say you?”
Lady Melissa giggled. “An angel? Sophie? She is a very good girl to be sure, my lord. But not an angel by any account!”
“Oh, I am undone,” exclaimed Sophie, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. “All is lost.”
“I will consider her angelic until I have evidence to the contrary,” Lord Trowbridge insisted.
An extraordinary individual chose that moment to present himself to Lady Melissa. His jacket was turquoise over a yellow-and-turquoise-striped waistcoat, with turquoise breeches. He wore a gardenia in his buttonhole. Sophie had never imagined the like.
“Lady Melitha, may I have the honor of thith danth?”
“Certainly, my lord.” She turned her face away for a moment to grimace at Sophie, then proceeded onto the dance floor. Sophie watched in amazement.
“Surely that man is out of the common way!” she said.
“He is what we refer to as a tulip of the ton. A dandy. A fop.”
“And the lisp?”
“Part of the act. Now, I understand you do not dance. Do you play cards? Or would you like some refreshment? It was rumored at Brook’s that the Aldridges meant to have ices.”
“Actually, Fanny, who is an ace, has taught me piquet. Now I am eager to try my wings, although I believe piquet can hardly be considered an angelic pastime.”
“It depends upon the angel in question. I believe Lady Kent has set the card room up just there.”
{ 2 }
MISS EDWARDS WAS NO LESS than a Pocket Venus, her lameness notwithstanding. She also had a lilt to her voice that was fresh and altogether entrancing. Frank could not keep his eyes from her face. He saw her tongue slip out just the tiniest bit at the corner of her mouth as she contemplated her next move. Not only did the young lady look delicious, she played her cards well. The angel was excessively serious about the matter.
“Why have you never been to London? Did you not wish a come-out?” he asked.
“You must have noticed, my lord, I am a bit lame. And while I do not define myself by that fact, it is also a reality that I am unable to dance. I saw no reason for a ball, and would certainly have muffed my curtsey to the Queen. I declined in sheer terror at the thought!”
He regarded her wide, confident smile. “I doubt that the queen would have terrified you much. But London? Surely you wished to meet new people, to see the sights?”
“I am content within a small circle of acquaintance. Instead of a breadth of friends, I infinitely prefer a depth of friendship.”
He longed to ask her if she never intended to marry, but he had been bold enough. Undoubtedly, she thought him a fine flirt. Which he was, to be honest. One of the best.
“Do you count any men among your deep acquaintance?” he asked. She made her play, and he was discomfited to find that she might very well win this game.
“To be sure. My brother-in-law, the Duke of Ruisdell, is a very good friend of mine. He has been kind enough to house me at Ruisdell Palace these four years. And I am very fond of Buck. Who would not be? It is agreeable to have brothers as well as sisters.”
He made a desperate play and hoped she could not read his consternation. “Your sisters are your closest friends?”
“My eldest sisters are twins who were married when I was quite young. I do not know them well. But Fanny, Elise, and I are very close. And in Derbyshire, I have a companion called Anna. Then, of course, there is Melissa. We have always corresponded daily when we are apart. That completes my circle, my lord.”
“Would you be averse to considering more friends? May I be so bold to say I should like to be counted among them?” He tossed his cards on the table. “Despite your brilliance at piquet. You have won, my girl.”
She smiled with what he suspected was deceptive sweetness, her light green eyes twinkling. “Shall we play another?”