Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend by Shana Galen - Jewels of the Ton 03 - Sapphires Are an Earl's Best Friend Page A

duke certainly had outings and entertainments planned. Perhaps she could make certain Darlington was involved in those. But even as she thought it, she shook her head. Darlington would never be occupied for long with picnics and archery. He had grown up on those pursuits. They would not keep his attention when he was so intent on keeping her away from his father.
    A woman, then. That was the only way. Perhaps she could interest him in the opera singer. Everyone knew that, aside from Juliette, opera singers were his weakness. Lily did not relish seeing him with another woman, but she needed him out of the way. And she needed him out of the way immediately. With a sigh, she started back for the drawing room. It was early, and she had no doubt Ravenscroft’s guests were still drinking and debauching.
    When she reached the drawing room, it was unusually quiet. Perhaps she had misjudged the time. Could everyone already be abed? She knew country hours were earlier than those she kept in Town. Cautiously, Lily reached for the door’s handle and pushed it open. Lord Kwirley sat in a chair by the fire, sipping what looked like port. He glanced up at her and raised a brow. “Back so soon?” he said with a sneer. “Did you find so little to entertain you?” He placed his thumb and forefinger close together. “So very little?”
    “Where are the others, Lord Kwirley?” Lily asked. Why did he have to be the one left behind? Her luck of late was atrocious. Fallon had once warned her to stay out of Kwirley’s path, and a warning like that from Fallon was not to be taken lightly.
    He rose. “Outside.” He walked to the serving tray, lifted a clean glass, and filled it with sherry. “Here you are.”
    “No, thank you. Why have they gone outside?”
    “Not even thirsty after your exertions?” Kwirley shook his head. “You are wasted on a buffoon like Ravenscroft.”
    Lily frowned and peered over her shoulder. She did not want to go outside and look for the others, but it appeared she had little other choice. Obviously Kwirley was not going to help her by offering information. She’d have to see for herself.
    “You are the determined one, aren’t you?” He’d sidled closer while she’d been looking away. “They’ve gone swimming.”
    Lily blinked as much from surprise as the sharp scent of alcohol on Kwirley’s breath. “Swimming?”
    “Yes.” He offered her the sherry again, and this time she took it. “The duke mentioned a pond at dinner, and they all seemed keen to try it out. Sans clothing, of course.” He leaned close, so close she could see the stubble on his cheeks. He was a handsome man. He knew it, too, and thought his appearance gave him leave to act the perfect scoundrel. She was not impressed. “Will you join them?” he asked.
    Lily wanted to curse. Even if she found the opera singer—what was her name?—she would undoubtedly be involved in some sort of groping and rolling about. This was hardly the time to persuade the singer to seduce Darlington. Lily’s errand would have to wait until breakfast. “I do not think so,” she told Kwirley.
    “Too bad.” He lifted a finger and stroked her cheek. “For you, I would have ventured out myself.”
    “Good night, my lord.”
    He grabbed her arm before she could take the first step. “Why in such a hurry? Is the duke awaiting your return?”
    “Yes.” She looked down at his hand. “Release me.”
    “What a little liar,” Kwirley said, pulling her closer. “I am certain the duke is snoring loudly enough to wake the dead by now. That means you and I have plenty of time to become better acquainted.”
    “I do not wish to become better acquainted, my lord. I wish to retire.” She pulled her arm, but he didn’t release it. Instead, he set his empty glass on a table and took her by both arms.
    “What did that little harlot tell you? That little bitch!” He shook Lily, causing her to spill the sherry over her gown and onto the rug.
    “Stop!”