To Seduce a Scoundrel by Darcy Burke

been there. There could be no question his companion had been a woman. And an exceedingly beautiful one at that. His gaze found Philippa, but he could only see her back. However, instead of aquamarine silk, he saw the gently curved expanse of pale flesh he’d glimpsed at Lockwood House as she’d changed her gown.
    He turned his attention back to Saxton. “I don’t allow innuendo to trouble me, so you needn’t either. Given everyone’s reaction, I assume the masses are aware of these wagers.”
    Saxton inclined his head. “A fair assumption. Given that, I wouldn’t blame you if you left.”
    “But I won’t.”
    “I can’t imagine why you wanted to come here in the first place. When I dragged you to a few events last fall, you complained bitterly.”
    “Not true. I only complained the first time. Then I rather enjoyed watching you make a cake of yourself over Lady Saxton.”
    His pale blue eyes frosted, but they lacked the icy heat of his pre-marital days. Saxton was a happily married man, and it showed. “I’m glad I could provide you entertainment. If you won’t leave, what do you plan to do? The card room is through those doors.” He pointed to Ambrose’s left.
    “I want you to introduce me to Lady Philippa Latham.” Ambrose hadn’t bothered stating his goal when he’d asked Saxton to secure his invitation. He’d doubted Saxton would have done it if he’d known what Ambrose had planned.
    Saxton’s eyes narrowed. “No.”
    “Yes.”
    “No.”
    “Why not?” He knew why not, but also knew he had to convince Saxton why he should .
    Saxton exhaled, darting a glance at Philippa’s back. “Because I like her, and introducing you to her would be presumptuous. She’s the daughter of an earl, you’re a—”
    “Viscount, in case you’ve forgotten. It is precisely because she is such an estimable young woman that I want to make her acquaintance. However can I redeem myself in Society—as you’ve so often encouraged me to do—if I don’t aim high?”
    Saxton shuttered his eyes briefly and when they opened, there was a hint of mirth. “You’re a cunning bastard.” His expression grew serious. “But I’m warning you not to play with her. She’s a nice girl, and I owe her better than to leave her to you.”
    “I don’t mean to damage her reputation at all.” I’m trying to keep it safe .
    “Fine, but Olivia’s coming with us.”
    “Excellent, I’m delighted to pay my respects to your better half.”
    Ambrose spent the next hour watching Philippa dance with a parade of men. Short men, tall men, fat men, too-handsome men, old men, young men—in fact, her current partner looked as if he was barely out of university. Ambrose leaned toward Saxton. “Who’s she dancing with now?” He didn’t have to identify the “she” in question since they’d been awaiting the proper opportunity to orchestrate their introduction. Primarily, they’d been waiting for the fervor surrounding Ambrose’s presence to die down.
    They were still waiting.
    “I’m not entirely certain, but rumor is he’s her houseguest. Her father returned from the continent a few days ago with company in tow.”
    Ambrose followed Saxton’s line of sight to Philippa’s father, the Earl of Herrick. He was standing quite close to a petite blonde whose high, tinkling laugh carried much too far in a crowded ballroom. Watching their intimate behavior—the way she gazed up at him, Herrick’s casual stroking of her arm—Ambrose immediately understood why Philippa’s mother had sought companionship elsewhere. Ambrose felt a wave of sympathy for Philippa and cursed his weakness for her anew.
    Perhaps he should go. He could see that she was fine and well, untouched by Jagger. Why the devil did he need to actually speak with her? Just as he was about to cry off, the music ended and she and her partner were close enough for Saxton’s lady to intercept them as they left the dance floor.
    “Lady Philippa, you look lovely this