Rules of Engagement by Christina Dodd Page A

what Pamela wore!
    In an impatient movement, he slapped his riding crop along his boot. "As you justly pointed out this morning, my grandfather's involvement leaves me no choice except to keep the child."
    Her unanticipated interest in Kerrich's appearance horrified her. What was worse, her interest would horrify him. He would be afraid she would appear nightly in his bedchamber sans clothing. And she dared not declare she would not, for just an hour ago she would have sworn no man's charms could move her. Her moral fiber was under assault; she must battle the onset of shallow longings!
    Kerrich glanced toward her, and in a sudden shift his voice oozed honey and persuasion. "The child's got a good seat, surely you could see that, and who didn't have a tumble or two when they were learning to ride? She'll learn all kinds of proper lessons from you, Miss Lockhart, of that I have no doubt, but let me teach her to enjoy herself. I think there's been little enough pleasure in her short life."
    "Yes." She was still in a daze, fumbling for her former rationality and worrying that he was showing not just a fleeting interest in Beth, but genuine sensitivity. "That's true, but—"
    "Good, then we're agreed." His regard focused beyond her. "Look, there's Lady Smithwick and two of her daughters riding toward us. Let us introduce Beth to them."
    His proposal snapped some sense back into Pamela. "We can't do that, it's too soon!"
    He didn't take his gaze away from the three ladies riding with their groom, and his smile widened as they got closer, but his voice snapped with authority. "Miss Lockhart, while I know you consider me a fribble, what I am doing is important to both me and my family. I am fighting a battle against time and Beth's spill has the makings of a gratifying accident."
    Pamela did consider him a fribble, she did believe he was fighting a battle against time and Beth's spill did have the makings of a gratifying accident, for they could use it to spread the word about the child. Nevertheless, she felt she had to voice a protest. "But, my lord, those are Fairchilds."
    "Yes, blatherskites, and that's the best thing that can be said about them." He glanced at her. "Miss Lockhart, we have no way of getting out of meeting these ladies, and I recognize the hand of fate when I see it. Kindly bring Beth to me so she may be introduced, and let them carry the rumor of my philanthropy back to society!"
    "Yes, sir." As she walked toward the place where Beth stood watching, Pamela knew Kerrich was right on all counts. No dreadful damage could come of this encounter. It was only her pride that desired a perfectly behaved child and her compassion that perceived Beth's incipient anxiety.
    "Ho, there." Kerrich bowed as the ladies rode closer. "A lucky appointment, indeed!"
    Stepping between them and Beth, Pamela quickly finger-combed Beth's shoulder-length hair and wished the child wore something besides a serving maid's cast-off clothing. Yet to Beth, she projected complete confidence. "Lord Kerrich wishes that you meet Lady Smithwick, Miss Fairchild, and her sister. Let us quickly make you tidy and take you to meet the kind women."
    Beth's eyes darted from side to side. "I don't want to."
    "Nonsense," Pamela said in a bracing tone. "You will charm them, and Lord Kerrich is there to help you. Besides"—she turned, put her hand on Beth's shoulder and shepherded her slowly forward—"it's good practice for you, and later when we return to our schoolroom, you may ask me any questions you have about the experience."
    Beth's voice sank to a whisper. "What if I do something wrong?"
    "We are in the park. No one expects more than just courtesy, which you have in abundance."
    Kerrich obviously had set the scene, for as they approached, the beautiful young ladies and the plump older one were smiling at the child with the vivacity of confirmed gossips who realize the greatest tidbit of the entire year may just have fallen into their laps. Pamela dropped