His Dark Enchantress (Books We Love Regency Romance) by Victoria Chatham Page B

clung to her long, shapely legs. Clearly disapproving, some lifted fans to hide their faces while they made comments to their neighbours.
    Her determination to combat the openly curious stares directed her way was evident in the tilt of her chin, her ramrod straight back. He watched her return stare for stare, nodding her head and smiling graciously at people as if she knew them. He moved closer and still Emmaline had not seen him. As she turned to speak to her chaperone, Countess Esterhazy appeared and swept her into a warm embrace.
    “So good of you to come, my dear,” he heard the Countess say. “ Our meeting at Almack’s was fortuitous but all too brief. I look forward to a longer conversation with you later this evening.”
    “It was kind of you to send a carriage and chaperone for me,” Emmaline replied.
    “My pleasure, my dear.” The Countess took her arm. “Now I must introduce you to some friends of mine.”
    Unable to refuse, Emmaline found herself swept along on a tide of bon hommie, being introduced to one group of people after another, until the Countess stopped in front of Lucius.
    “And I don’t believe I need introduce you two, n’est pas? ” A little trill of laughter bubbled up from inside her as she patted Emmaline’s hand and walked away.
    Fury at the subterfuge boiled in Emmaline’s veins. She raised her glance only to see humour lurking in Lucius’ steady gaze. She tightened her fists and would dearly loved to have hit him.
    “Not my doing, Miss Devereux, I do assure you,” he said , putting up his hands as if in defeat. ”Although I can’t say I’m sorry. You look quite charming this evening.”
    “I should do after all the effort that went into it,” Emmaline replied through gritted teeth.
    “I see.” A ghost of a smile played across his face. “You would perhaps be happier in the country wearing homespun and half boots?”
    “Much.”
    “And why would that be?”
    “I prefer the simple honesty of country life to the so called manners of people in Town, my Lord.”
    “Really? Pray educate me.”
    Dazed at finding herself so close to him again, Emmaline allowed Lucius to take her elbow and steer her to a seat in a window embrasure. When she saw where he led her, she glanced around but her chaperone was close by. Composing herself as best she could, she took the proffered seat.
    “Now, you were going to educate me in the ways of honest country life and ill-mannered Town people, were you not?”
    For a moment Emmaline thought she detected mockery in his voice. She dared to look at him, but saw nothing other than interest in his face.
    “As master of Avondale Park, I am sure you are well acquainted with country life and need no instruction from me.”
    “To an extent that may be true, but I am not sure ho w best to respond to your argument. Pray enlighten me.”
    “Why, my Lord, do your horses not bite at one end and kick at the other? Do your dogs not steal scraps from your table , the cat get into the cream or the foxes ravage your chickens?”
    “And there is honesty in that?”
    “But of course, for they are simply being themselves.”
    “And in T own we are not?”
    “Of course not.” The look Emmaline gave him was beyond scathing. “Countess Esterhazy very clearly arranged to put us together this evening. Mamas scheme to marry their daughters off to the richest man possible every Season, regardless of how they may feel about each other. You only have to consider Lord and Lady Fletcher to see that.”
    “How so?”
    “Miss Stephanie Howard’s parents married her off to Lord Fletcher for his fortune and his estates but she is now carrying Lord Burrough’s child. Tell me, what is honest about that?”
    “How the devil did you know about Lady Fletcher?” asked Lucius, clearly astonished.
    “It doesn’t matter.” Emmaline shook her head.
    “And what of you, Miss Devereux, are you honest?”
    Emmaline’s stomach turned upside down and she quaked in her