A Thin Line Read Online Free Page A

I’m forced to attend with Dewhurst.”   She dropped onto the settee next to Drucilla.
    “He’s a fop and a dandy.   What makes him think he can even keep up with you?”
    “I haven’t a clue.”   She watched Southerby stroll to the window and look out the curtains.
    “The man has the oldest nag I’ve ever laid eyes on.   Seems to me if a man is going to claim to be a peer of the realm he should spend money on better horseflesh.”   Kala jumped up and crossed to the window in time to see the man turn the horse around and leave the square.
    “Funny, it does look inferior.   I’m just glad he’s gone for now.”  
    “Kala, you really should not talk about others in front of people.”
    “Please, Dru.   Even you have little patience for Dewhurst.”
    “I apologize, Kala.   I thought, well, I don’t know what I thought.   But just because he escorts you doesn’t mean he has your sole attention.”
    “Too true.   So did you come just to visit?” She asked blatantly.
    “Actually I came to ask if I could escort you to the Chatham’s ball,” he replied a bit sheepishly.   This looked somewhat comedic on a man of his stature.
    “Southerby,” Kala laughed.
    “How about I make it up to you and escort you to the masquerade ball in Vauxhall Gardens on Saturday?”
    “Dru?”   Kala looked at her anxiously, finding that she did enjoy spending time with Justin.   He didn’t set her heart to racing, but they got along well together.   And most of all he seemed truly to care for her.
    “The masquerade is one of the last things Richard and I planned to attend this season.   I don’t see any problem with it.   Perhaps Derek and Tessa would like to join us as well.   Masquerades tend to be unlike anything else that takes place among the ton .”
    “Wonderful.   I will even let you escort me from here.”
    “I truly feel special.”
    “You should,” she answered cheekily.
    “I promise to rescue you tonight from Dewhurst.”
    “You’d better, or I’ll never forgive you.   But if you don’t, I imagine Mr. McKenzie will.”
    “So that is the way of it.   May the best man win,” Southerby chuckled good-naturedly.   Southerby left after dropping a kiss on Kala’s cheek.   His lips were firm, not at all like Dewhurst’s.   She felt a sense of friendship and peace, for lack of a better description.  
    “You seem to truly like Southerby,” Drucilla interrupted her thoughts.
    “I enjoy his company.   I also enjoy Mr. McKenzie’s companionship.   Lord Dewhurst, however, is another tale entirely.   There is just something about the man that I can’t quite put my finger on,” Kala replied.  
    “Have you given up on Gabe then?”
    “Dru, the only thing between Gabe and me lived in my childish fantasies.   It’s time I moved on.   He has.”
    “Oh?”
    “Lady Clarissa Blackerby.”
    “I see.”
    “I can’t even hate her.   She’s so nice and personable, almost delicate.   So, it is time that I move on.   Put the past behind me.   Gabe has only ever seen me as a little sister, and perhaps that is the way it is meant to be,” she broke off and stood.   “Pardon me Dru, I think I will have a bath.”   Dru watched Kala thoughtfully as she left the room with carefully controlled movements.
    ***
    Gabe saw Lady Clarissa delivered to her house and finalized plans for escorting her to the ball that night.   He turned Diablo toward the War Office.   He had several things to attend to.   There were several titled men that worked for the government in various capacities.   This gave some of the nobility a chance to feel as if they were doing their part in the fight against the little tyrant.   Gabe had, however, truly served the government as a sailor, but since acquiring his title he was relegated to primarily office work.
    Gabe thought back over the encounter with Kala.   He gave her credit for hiding the shock of seeing him with Lady Clarissa.   Gabe knew that