Lord Rakehell by Virginia Henley

“It would have to be somewhere close by. Somewhere respectable,” she cautioned.
    â€œMy dearest lady, you may put complete trust in me.”
    â€œOh dear. How devastating for me,” she teased.
    â€œThe Westminster Palace Hotel is close by Parliament and has a most respectable dining room.”
    â€œThen I shall obey my impulse and accept.”
    Hamilton shrugged into his overcoat and they emerged onto Parliament Square, where the November wind swirled about them furiously. James offered Anne his arm and she took it gladly as they made their way to the hotel. The surge of his blood told him her close proximity excited him. Before they entered the dining room, he checked his coat, but knew instinctively that his companion would be loath to relinquish her fur. They were shown to a table by the maître d’hôtel, who provided menus and hastened off for the bottle of claret that Hamilton ordered.
    James moved behind her chair to help her remove her fur. “Gray fox shows off your glorious hair to perfection.”
    She was thrilled by his compliment. “Thank you, my lord.”
    â€œCall me James.” He draped her fur over the back of her chair and his admiring glance swept over her gown with its lace ruffles at throat and wrist. “Lavender velvet suits you even better.”
    â€œI’m glad you like it. I designed it myself.”
    â€œYou have exquisite taste and an eye for color; I shall add that to the vast store of knowledge I’ve learned about you.”
    She smiled into his eyes. “You haven’t learned anything about me, have you?”
    â€œI know that you are lovely, and that I enjoy your company. If you would tell me your name, that’s all I need to know.”
    As she removed her gloves, she noticed their pearl buttons.
I refuse to call myself Pearl.
She glanced at the flowers on the table. “It’s Lily.” She picked up the menu and began to read.
    â€œThat’s a pretty name. If I were a betting man, I’d wager you also have a surname.”
    The bottle of claret arrived and James poured the wine himself.
    One of the items on the menu was roast leg of lamb. She glanced up and smiled disarmingly. “Lamb.”
    â€œThere now, was that so difficult?” He raised his glass to salute her. “I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mistress Lamb.”
    She took a sip of wine and set her glass down. “Thank you, Lord Hamilton.”
    â€œI thought we agreed you would call me James. Do you see anything you fancy?”
    Oh hell yes!
With difficulty she lowered her eyes to the menu. “I think some leek soup would warm me nicely.”
    â€œGood idea. I’ll have some too. What else will you have?”
    â€œDover sole,” she said decisively.
    He signaled the waiter, ordered the food, then leaned back in his chair to savor the view. “If you enjoy the theater, I’d love to take you tonight.”
    Her eyes sparkled. “I do enjoy the theater, but it’s not possible tonight. I have a previous engagement.”
There would be hell to pay if I arrived home at such a late hour.
    â€œAh.” He gave her a look of regret. “Another night, perhaps?”
    â€œPerhaps.”
    The soup arrived and he noticed that the array of silverware did not daunt her in any way. She deftly handled the soup spoon with more grace than a member of the royal family. It was obvious that she was used to dining elegantly, and he wondered where the devil Henry Fane had found such a delightful female who had the poise of a fine lady.
    Anne preferred to remain a mystery, so prompted him to talk about himself. “You are the member of Parliament for County Donegal, I believe.”
    â€œYes. Politics is a family tradition. My father was the lord lieutenant of Donegal before his appointment to Prince Albert.”
    â€œAnd you are an attendant to his son the Prince of Wales. You obviously follow in