Once Upon an Accident 02 - Lessons in Seduction Read Online Free

laced the words, but it had not yet come bursting forth from Daniel’s ear-splitting grin. “You asked me what time you were to arrive at the Penwyth townhouse.”
    “Right. I will see you there.”
    Without another word, he strode across the ballroom, never taking his eyes off his quarry. He would not allow Lady Cicely to go off making advances on the male population of the ton. Since Sebastian wasn’t there, it would have to be he who stepped into the role of guardian and protected the chit. He reassured himself it had nothing to do with his own strange reaction to her this evening. If she were left to her own devices, which apparently she was, she would find herself ruined. He was only trying to save her from herself.

Chapter Two
    In which Lady Cicely requests aid from an unlikely source.
    The evening had been painfully long and it was not even remotely close to being over. Cicely smiled at the Earl of Dewhurst and wondered, not for the first time in the last few moments, why women were so fascinated with him. He was attractive enough, with his dark brown eyes, strong jaw and ready smile. Dressed always in the first stare of fashion, he certainly cut a fine figure. Debutantes whispered about his prowess, his masculinity. All Cicely could think about was just how boring the man truly was.
    Awareness feathered across the back of her neck, as if fingers trailed against her skin. She shivered. She didn’t have to turn around to know who approached. As before, her body reacted to the duke’s nearness. Her heart pounded even as she silently admonished herself. The man was just not interested. In truth, he had been appalled by the idea of bedding her. She knew that would be a deterrent to any help he might give in that area. If he could not even fathom the deed, how on earth could he help her secure another who might?
    It was then that she realized Dewhurst had broken off talking about himself—and wasn’t that wonderful—and was gaping at something over her shoulder. She sighed, knowing Douglas stood there behind her. She didn’t like confrontations and she would rather at this point Dewhurst not know about the list and what it was for.
    Slowly, trying to appear as if her nerves weren’t hopping, she turned to face Douglas. She hoped he couldn’t tell how he affected her. Even as she felt a flare of heat warm her cheeks, she met his frank gaze. She would not be pitied again. But what she found shimmering in his grey eyes made her breath catch in her throat. It was not pity she saw there.
    It was anger. She’d never seen Douglas angry, but there was no mistaking the emotion shadowing his eyes. No wonder Dewhurst had suddenly stopped talking about himself.
    “Your Grace.” She curtsied. “You know the earl, do you not?” She waved her hand in front of Dewhurst’s chest, almost smacking him.
    “Yes,” Douglas said, his voice cold and hard. “I believe we have met on occasion.”
    “Y-Y-Your Grace.” Dewhurst bowed and when he righted himself, he looked from side to side. He smoothed his richly tailored plum jacket, removing unseen folds and wrinkles. “Ahh, I see my mother has arrived.”
    After excusing himself, he practically ran away.
    She watched the earl’s retreat with a cross between amusement and astonishment. “Well, Your Grace, you seem to know how to keep the conversation going.”
    “You’re definitely not wasting any time, Lady Cicely.”
    At first, she couldn’t believe he had made reference to their earlier conversation, especially as loudly as he said it. Embarrassment, even though no one knew what he was talking about, and anger intertwined and caused her voice to rise to a level matching his own.
    “Your Grace, I was just chatting to Dewhurst about the next Historical Society meeting.”
    She hoped he didn’t realize she was lying. She actually had been talking about that, as Dewhurst did attend some meetings, but he’d had no interest in her discovery. About five minutes into the