Lady Beresford's Lover by Ella Quinn Page B

of them, everyone else present was married, and small touches, sidelong glances, and fleeting smiles abounded.
    He forced himself to switch his glass to the hand nearer her in order to inhibit any unconscious gestures. “I agree. In my county, we have made a point of finding work or apprenticeships for them. Some of the soldiers are no more than children.”
    “Indeed.” Vivian rubbed one finger absently over her bottom lip, and Rupert wished it were his lips touching it, tasting her, learning her sounds of pleasure as he made love to her. “There are the widows and children as well. Even widows of officers can have a difficult time making ends meet if they have no family to help them.”
    He listened as she and the others discussed measures they’d taken. The longer she spoke, the more impressed he became with her intelligence and grasp of the political realities. This was a lady who could help make a political career.
    Dinner was announced and he escorted her into the dining room. Fortunately, Phoebe and Marcus had invited only close friends, and they sat informally at the table, giving Rupert an opportunity to take a place next to Vivian. If only he knew if she had any feelings for him or if the emotions were all on his part, or how long he’d have to continue this dance before she responded to him. Rupert refused to consider the possibility that he would not win her. This urge he had to protect her, to care for her, was too strong to be ignored.
    A footman held out the tray to him. “Pheasant, my lord?”
    He speared a piece of the breast. “Lady Beresford, this slice looks particularly good. Will you sample it?”
    Rupert wanted to be the one to attend her, selecting the most delicious foods, accompanying her to the most interesting places, and showing her what she had not yet experienced. Slowly learning her likes and dislikes.
    He would take this one step at a time, being careful not to scare her. All evening she had claimed his attention in a way no other woman had done before. And the better he came to know Vivian, the more convinced he was that she was for him. Just as he had thought the first time he saw her.

CHAPTER NINE
    “T hank you, my lord.” Vivian took a bite of the pheasant he had Tput on her plate.
    If Lord Stanstead had not said her name, she would still be daydreaming. She had never been around a circle of people with whom she had so much in common.
    Her only problem was keeping her reactions to Lord Stanstead under control. From the moment he had entered the drawing room and caught her eye, her heart had throbbed painfully in her chest, and she’d had to remember to breathe. If only she would not have such a dramatic response to his mere presence, she could be perfectly at ease.
    She held her knife and fork more tightly than necessary to keep her hands from trembling as he served her a piece of game pie from the tray. What she was feeling was ridiculous. She was no longer a giddy girl and would do well to remember how being attracted to a gentleman had turned out the last time. And this was much worse.
    He grinned at her and his eyes lit up. The only time her husband had appeared that happy was when his mistress was present, never around Vivian.
    “I take it you will attend the soirée this evening?” His deep, gentle voice washed over her, once more taking her breath away.
    “Yes, with Phoebe.”
    “It’s a shame there is no dancing.” Lord Stanstead angled himself closer to her. “However, the Framingham ball is on Wednesday. I’m sure Lady Telford received invitations.”
    “I believe she did.” Head bowed, Vivian applied herself to her food.
    “I would be honored if you would dance the first waltz with me.”
    Her mouth dried and she reached for her glass of wine. She would never be able to eat a thing at this rate. “It would be my pleasure.”
    The memory of being in his arms flooded her senses, and she yearned for him to hold her again.
    “And the supper dance. I dare say