Utterly Devoted Read Online Free Page B

of Hastings. They eloped to Gretna Green last Season.”
    Still the impetuous one , Jareth thought. “And the boy in brown?”
    “Lord Peter Nathaniel,” she supplied.
    “And he is hardly a boy,” Justinian added. “He inherited the title and estates from his father several years ago.”
    “By the look of things,” Eleanor continued, “he has serious intentions toward Miss Watkin.”
    Which made Lord Nathaniel even more of an upstart than Jareth had originally thought. He could not see Eloise with a fellow whose hands trembled. He could not imagine the man having the courage to make love to her. On the other hand, he could imagine himself doing so all too easily.
    Before he could comment further, someone bumped him from behind. Turning, he found a slender girl with red-blond hair righting herself with a rueful smile. “Pardon me, please,” she said, giving him a glimpse of front teeth with an endearing gap between them.
    He swept her a bow. “My mistake entirely, I assure you.”
    Her smile deepened, and he caught a decided twinkle in her gray eyes. “Nonsense, sir. I distinctly remember bumping into you.”
    He could feel Eleanor and Justinian watching him. Further, over the girl’s shoulder, he could see a tall major in dress regimentals glowering at him. It seemed the better part of valor to send her on her way.
    He bowed reflexively. As she hurried away, he sighed. Another time he might have been willing to investigate the delightful young lady’s charms, but his hands were tied until he had dealt with Eloise. It would be impossible to convince her he had changed if he was known to be pursuing an assignation.
    “That was boldly done,” Eleanor commented as he turned toward them once again. “Have you been introduced to Miss Sinclair?”
    “No,” he replied. “Shocking what they teach young ladies these days.”
    Justinian chuckled, but Eleanor shook her head. All of them returned their gazes to the unwilling Miss Watkin. Eloise sat on the sofa for a short while, then left on the arm of Lady Hastings. They did not return to the hall.
    Deprived of his reason to visit Almack’s, Jareth took his leave of Eleanor and Justinian, as well as Lady Jersey, and collected his cane and cloak. Then he descended the stairs for the street to hail a hack and repair to the civilized confines of White’s.
    He had favored Watier’s in his earlier days, for that gentleman’s club was known for its heavy play and high stakes. Very likely, the more conservative White’s would never have allowed him membership but for his brother’s intervention. As it was, he was welcomed by the doorman, offered a drink, and motioned to a comfortable chair. He did not realize that he had been followed until he wandered into the card room. Before he could decide whether to attempt Faro with only credit, he was accosted.
    “Darby, I demand a word with you.”
    He turned to find Eloise’s escort beside him. Lord Nathaniel appeared to have run all the way from Almack’s, as his curly brown hair was wild and his cravat in shambles. Jareth merely eyed him coolly.
    “I am not in the habit of giving my time to fellows who refuse introductions,” he said, purposely turning away from the young lord. The gentlemen playing nearby raised brows or exchanged glances. One went so far as to chuckle. The rudesby at his elbow stalked around to face him again.
    Jareth gave him no time for speech. He turned away again and strolled to settle himself in a chair near the bow window. Unfortunately, he had no sooner eyed the gas light beyond the window when Lord Nathaniel was once more in front of him and considerably redder.
    “You will not evade me so easily,” he declared. “What I have to say requires no introductions. You, sir, are no gentleman, and I take offense that you expect to be treated like one.”
    “You can take as much offense as you like,” Jareth told him, crossing one leg over the other, “so long as you take yourself