Potent Charms Read Online Free Page B

laughter matched his size and he chose to use
it now. Stephen frowned again as a group of lords standing nearby turned toward them. He nodded a good evening to
them while snapping at Winston. "By God, Winston, I'm
warning you. Your last attempt at matchmaking nearly
killed me. I know you think I need another wife and a son
or two. I don't. The title dies with me."

    "That curse is stuff and nonsense. You know that."
    "Curse or no curse, with and without love, I've tried my
hand at marriage twice already. I learn from my mistakes
and I have no intention of repeating that one. Ever."
    Winston vigorously massaged his chin, obviously contemplating whether to drop the subject.
    "Winston, I am content," Stephen said. "Leave it be."
    Scanning the ballroom with a resolute expression, Winston nodded. "All right. Let's rescue Elizabeth. She feels
compelled to dance with every fellow who asks. That
wretch, Lemmer, is waiting his turn."
    When Winston mentioned his first wife's brother,
Stephen suppressed a sneer. He had no use for the man.
Though he appeared the perfect gentleman, he was a vainglorious little monster in search of a title, and, Lemmer's
sexual appetites slanted toward what Stephen considered
depraved. They had hated each other since Emily's death.
Considering the rapid pace Winston set, his friend evidently felt the same.
    It took only moments to cross the ballroom floor and
reach Elizabeth's side. As a result of his prodigious size,
most people quickly moved out of Winston's path.
    Elizabeth, a petite woman with a heart the size of her
husband, beamed as she watched Winston approach. His
besotted expression matched hers. Good heavens, Stephen
thought, love transformed people into idiots and fools.
Still, no matter how loathsome Stephen found marriage, he
wanted only happiness for his friends.
    Winston wedged himself between Lemmer and Elizabeth, his display of ownership evident for even the simplest of minds. Stephen flanked Elizabeth's other side. Lemmer's eyes flashed for a moment and he appeared annoyed,
but he merely nodded his head in greeting.

    Winston faced Lemmer. "Were you leaving?"
    With a sudden intake of air, Elizabeth glared at her husband. He merely shrugged his shoulders.
    Extending his arm toward Elizabeth, Lemmer said, "As
a matter of fact, your wife and I were about to dance."
    "She looks a bit piqued to me," Winston apologized.
"Do you not agree, Stephen?"
    Swallowing a chuckle, Stephen cleared his throat. "For
the lady's safety, she had best rest with Winston and
myself." He could almost hear Lemmer's teeth grinding at
the snub.
    "Surprised to see you here, Badrick," Lemmer finally
said. "I thought London too public for you. So much talk
about gypsies, murder, dead wives and all."
    "Many people with nothing to do spend endless hours
exercising their tongues at the expense of others. I worry
little about them. You of all people should know that."
    "Ah, yes. The imperturbable Duke of Badrick. Are you
here in search of another woman willing to take a chance
on your dukedom?"
    "Hardly."
    With false sincerity, Lemmer placed his hand across his
heart. "Pardon my indiscretion. I forgot. Finding a wife
would be a trifle difficult, what with your reputation and
two dead wives."
    Refusing to give Lemmer any satisfaction, Stephen
flicked at a small green leaf he found on his sleeve. "Reputations are funny things. They crumble quite easily when
certain information, best kept between gentlemen, falls
into the wrong hands but I forget myself. This is not the
place to discuss such things. Don't you agree?"
    "For now," Lemmer said, his expression pinched and a touch of red to his cheeks. He turned to Elizabeth. "Good
night, Lady Payley."

    Winston stared at Stephen. "What was that all about?"
    "The man has despised my existence ever since I married Emily. Her death did not endear me. At least we're rid
of his company." Grasping Elizabeth's hand in his, Stephen
whispered, "As