A Hint of Seduction Read online

  “You are an excellent dancer, Miss Reynolds.”

  She first answered the Marquis with a smile and then said, “Your flattery of my skills is not warranted, my lord, but it is appreciated. Thank you.”

  “Perhaps you will favor me with another dance before the evening is over.”

  “It is already very late and I don’t think we shall be staying much longer,” she said, deliberately avoiding responding to his specific request.

  Victoria had given her strict instructions not to spend too much time with any one gentleman her first evening and not to encourage any of them to ask for a second dance or to call on her tomorrow. Victoria had reminded her that men liked to stake a claim on a young lady’s affections early in the Season, and when they did so, it limited the lady’s options.

  And Victoria would have none of that.

  So it would be Victoria who would decide which gentleman was allowed to call on her.

  “I’ll see you back to Mrs. Goosetree,” he said.

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  Catherine allowed the Marquis to lead her off the dance floor and back to her sister, who was standing with a tall, buxom young lady who was introduced as Lady Lynette Knightington. The Duke of Knightington’s daughter, Victoria emphasized, as Catherine forced herself not to stare at the dark red birthmark that covered most of the young lady’s cheek.

  Catherine had not seen it until Lady Lynette turned toward her. From one side it wasn’t visible at all. She had large expressive green eyes and a deep voice. Even with the unsightly birthmark on her cheek, she was truly lovely, Catherine thought.

  It was clear that the Marquis, Lady Lynette, and Victoria had known each other quite a long time as they chatted freely, engaging Catherine in conversation about the Northern Coast. Victoria complimented the Marquis on his knowledge of the area. A short time later the bell sounded for the next dance to begin, and the Marquis bowed and left the three ladies alone.

  “Catherine, I must tell you that Lady Lynette is the perfect lady for you to talk to. She is always at the best parties and knows everyone in the ton. Not only that, but everyone adores her. You couldn’t make a better friend in all of London.”

  “Enough of that kind of talk, Mrs. Goosetree, or I’ll start blushing, and my face is already red enough.”

  Lady Lynette laughed at her own reference to her disfigurement, and Catherine marveled at what confidence the young lady must have to be able to make a joke about herself.

  “In that case I will make my way to the buffet room and leave you two alone for a few minutes so you can get to know each other.”

  “I shall be delighted to entertain your sister for a few minutes. Take your time.”

  “Thank you, my lady. I’ll make another pass around the rooms before I return to see if anyone has arrived to whom I might present Catherine.”

  After Victoria turned away, Lady Lynette looked directly into Catherine’s eyes and said, “So tell me, are you enjoying your first party of the Season?”

  “Very much, but I had no idea the event would be so crowded. London Society is very different from the village where I grew up.”

  “Is this your first trip to London?”

  “Yes.”

  Lady Lynette’s eyes took on a faraway quality and she said in a sighing voice, “Ah, there is nothing like a Season in London.”

  “From what little I’ve seen, I’m sure there’s nothing to compare it to.”

  “Not even close. Each year I so look forward to the parties, the opera, the clothing, the people and”—suddenly she hesitated and the faraway look was replaced with a mischievous glimmer—“and the gossip.”

  Oh, yes, Catherine was getting acquainted with the gossip columns and how fast one little incident could get around Town.

  “Do you stay in London the entire year?” Catherine asked, not wanting to be drawn into a subject she didn’t care to discuss.

  “No, we travel to our home in Kent by the end of June each year. I would love to return to Town during the winter. I miss the sights and sounds and even the smells of London, but my parents always have too many guests visiting us for house parties, and they won’t let me travel back here with just a companion.”

  “Well, perhaps that will change one day and you will get your wish.”

  She smiled. “Perhaps.” Lady Lynette bent closer to Catherine and said, “Has any young man caught your fancy since you’ve been here? If so, tell me and I will let you know all about him.”

  Catherine smiled. “I’m afraid I haven’t been in London very long, and as the Season just started, this is my first party.”

  “But I’ve seen you dance with several gentlemen. Surely one of them has caught your eye.”

  The one who had caught her eye was not in attendance, and she had no idea what his name was.

  “Not yet,” she answered cautiously, “but the night is still young.”

  Lady Lynette bent closer to Catherine and asked, “How did you like the Marquis of Westerland? He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?”

  “Yes. And he’s charming, as have been all the gentlemen I’ve met and danced with this evening.”

  But the face of only one man had stayed in her mind.

  “Hmm, I’m told that sometimes it only takes one look to fall in love.”

  “Is that right?” Catherine asked, wondering what had made Lady Lynette make such a comment.

  “Oh, yes,” Lady Lynette insisted. “You do believe in love, don’t you?”

  Catherine looked into Lynette’s very pretty eyes, but it was the dark eyes of a stranger that filled her mind.

  “One look to fall in love?” She questioned herself more than Lady Lynette. “I suppose I do. I’ve never had much reason to think about it.”

  The duke’s daughter leaned closer to Catherine again. With a smile on her face she said, “Which can only mean you’ve never been in love. Am I right?”

  Lady Lynette sounded wise beyond her years. Maybe from experience?

  “You are right,” Catherine admitted with a smile.

  “Good. I was sure of it. Now, is there someone here you would like to meet?” She looked around the room. “I know everyone.”

  Catherine’s heartbeat quickened. Yes, there was someone she wanted to be introduced to and it wasn’t the handsome young man who kept invading her thoughts. This was her chance to find out a few things about Mr. William Walker Chatsworth, Mr. Robert Taylor Beechman, and Mr. George Wickenham-Thickenham-Fines.

  “As a matter of fact, you can help me. I remember my father mentioning the names of some gentlemen he knew years ago when he frequented London. Perhaps you can tell me if any of them are here tonight. I’d like to meet them and say hello.”

  “Of course, what are the names?”

  She took a deep breath, grateful for the opportunity to get some information about the men. “One is Mr. William Walker Chatsworth.”

  “Oh, yes, Mr. Chatsworth.” A deep throaty laugh passed her lips. “You say your father knew him. I’m not surprised. He was all the rage a few years ago. One of those rare tall dark Englishmen. He was so handsome. In his day, he made all the young ladies swoon, but he’s a bit dotty now.”

  Catherine pursed her lips in confusion. “Really? In what way?”

  “He seldom leaves his house because he hates anything green.”

  “He what?” Catherine asked, taken aback.

  “He has nothing the color green in his house. I’ve been inside, so I can attest to this fact. Nor will he eat anything green. And of course many things outside are green with all the beautiful shrubs, yews, and trees and such, so he seldom leaves his house. And when he does go out, he always walks with his head down.”

  How odd.

  Could someone like that be her father? A dreadful thought. She knew her quest to find her father would be challenging, but she hadn’t expected it to be alarming. What could have happened to make him hate the color green?

  “But he loves visitors,”
Lady Lynette continued. “And he is an absolute champion at most card games. I’m told he enjoys it when someone will take the time to stop by and sit and play a game with him.”

  It was good to know he loved to play cards. Catherine was quite good at most games. Perhaps she could figure out a way to meet the peculiar Mr. Chatsworth and see what she could find out about his past.

  But she found it most disturbing to think that a man who was that stricken by the color of green could be her father.

  “What about a gentleman named Mr. Robert Beechman?” Catherine asked.

  Lady Lynette screwed her face into a frown as she pondered. “Yes, Mr. Beechman. I have to say he’s another peculiar person.”

  Dare she ask?

  “In what way?”

  “I don’t know as much about him, but I do know that he walks everywhere he goes. He refuses to ride in a carriage or sit on a horse. He’s rather dour most of the time, but he will attend parties maybe three or four times in a Season as long as it’s not too far to walk.”

  “That is odd. Why won’t he ride in a carriage or on a horse?”

  “No one seems to know. I’m told he never goes to his estate in Kent anymore.” Suddenly Lynette’s eyes got bigger. “And I hear he has an exceptional display of snuff-boxes”—she bent close to Catherine’s ear—“if you know what I mean.”

  Catherine wrinkled her brow, frustrated by the information she was getting on the men. “Ah, no, I don’t believe I do.”

  “Some of them have nudes painted on them. Ladies and gentlemen, and sometimes very close together on the same box.”

  “You mean—” Catherine stopped. What was Lynette trying to say about a man who could possibly be her father? Whatever it was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know.

  Catherine continued with “Well, that really doesn’t seem so strange. Most all of the famous painters like Michelangelo and Da Vinci painted nudes and sometime male and female very close together. Don’t you think?” Catherine asked, not sure she really knew what Lynette was implying.

  Lady Lynette’s eyebrows raised a notch. She hesitated a moment before saying, “Yes, I believe they did.”

  Victoria wasn’t off the mark when she said the duke’s daughter knew everyone. Catherine was almost fearful to ask about the third man, but since her newfound friend was so full of knowledge, she had to. She had no doubt one of the men was her father and wanted to find him no matter his circumstances.

  “How about—”

  “Lady Lynette, what a dear you’ve been to keep my sister entertained for so long,” Victoria said as she stopped beside Catherine.

  What rotten luck!

  Catherine knew there would be no more questions about the gentleman she sought. But with the stranger and the two eccentric men Lady Lynette told her about, she had enough to think about for now.

  JOHN AND ANDREW took off their greatcoats, hats, and gloves and handed them to the servant at the entryway to the Grand Ballroom. They had made an appearance at every party in London that John knew about, and this was the only one left.

  If he didn’t find her here, he was calling it a night. He had been mocked and laughed at enough for one evening. He usually didn’t mind the tittle-tattle of the gossip sheets so much. He’d thrived on them for years—the more that was said about him the better—but it seemed that everyone this evening wanted to talk about the lady who was seen riding his horse.

  If he knew who wrote those damned gabble grinders, he could find her. They seemed to know everything and within minutes of it happening. Someone had left the park and went immediately to Lord Truefitt, whoever the hell he was, and told the gossip about the incident in the park.

  John doubted it was Wilkins, though Phillips might have told the story over and over again. He wouldn’t put it past Mallory and Westerland to spread the rumor to everyone they knew. No doubt they were all having a big laugh off the possibility of it. Several of his friends had questioned him about the writings that had appeared in the afternoon edition of “Society’s Daily Column.”

  He had hoped to find the lovely horse thief before now, but so far the parties had yielded no more than the park had that morning. He and Andrew had ridden around the perimeter of the park, the paths, and around the Serpentine for most of the morning with no luck.

  He was at a loss how to go about searching for her.

  He’d told every man tonight the same thing: “You know I never listen to the gossip sheets, but The General is safe.”

  He only wished he knew for sure that was true.

  “What are you going to do if you can’t find her?” Andrew asked John.

  “The hell if I know,” John muttered, but then immediately said, “I have a man checking all the liveries in Town, but how can I possibly check all the private stables? I’ll hire someone from Bow Street. It’s like she disappeared into thin air.”

  “We both know that is impossible.”

  He turned and looked at Andrew as they headed toward the ballroom. “Of course. She simply rode out of the park, but to where?”

  “And why? Why did she want The General? That’s what we must find out. Surely she didn’t want to try to sell him. The horse is too well known.”

  “No, I’m sure it’s nothing like that. She said something about being on a mission and needing to borrow him.”

  Andrew gave him a wry look. “Are you sure you would recognize her? Maybe you’ve seen her tonight and you didn’t know it. I mean, it was still rather dark in the park.”

  The lady’s face flashed into John’s mind. Blue eyes, full lips, saucy tongue, and more backbone than he’d ever seen.

  “Oh, no, Andrew. I would know her anywhere. She’s not the kind of lady you would soon forget.”

  “Hmm. That could be a problem, you know.”

  “Why?”

  “When a lady stops being just another pretty face and becomes something more, you’re in trouble.”

  “You think that’s what I’m saying?”

  “Aren’t you?”

  “Hell, no,” John said with more irritation than he was feeling. “She stole my horse when I was trying to help her. I’ve been teased about it all night.”

  “And that pricked your pride.”

  “Andrew,” John said tightly, knowing that was all he needed to say when his friend went too far.

  They stopped at the entrance to the ballroom and looked out over the crowd. There were at least a hundred people in attendance. The ton were inveterate party goers and would stay and dance as long as there was music and drink.

  “Looks like there will be a crush until the host runs us off,” Andrew said. “There’s no other party that I know about. We’ve made the rounds. If she’s not here, we’re not going to find her tonight.”

  “I am aware of that, Andrew.”

  John heard his name called and looked up to see one of the young bachelors he barely knew walking by with two other men.

  “Chatwin, where’s your horse?”

  The young dandy waved to John, but thankfully he and his friends merely laughed and kept going.

  “Don’t pay them any mind,” Andrew said.

  “I’m not,” John replied, knowing it was a lie. He did mind. He was becoming the laughingstock, all because of some blue-eyed horse thief.

  “I don’t believe she’s here. Though I can’t say I’d be hitting the parties if I had stolen an earl’s horse.”

  “Why don’t we head over to White’s? No one will bother you there.”

  John shook his head. “I’m not going to give up until I’ve thoroughly looked over everyone in this place.”

  “After you have, why don’t you go see Anne? She’ll take your mind off the day.”

  “I’m in no mood for a mistress tonight. Besides, I’ve already given her a parting gift.”

  “Really? This is news. You didn’t tell me. When did you find someone else?”

  “I haven’t. Not yet,” John said as they started walking into the ballroom.
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  “Are you sure you want to leave her before you find someone else?”

  He was sure.

  “Anne was happy with the diamond-and-emerald necklace I picked out for her, and she told me her door was always open. But I’ve been ready for a change for a long time.”

  “You always give the same gift, diamonds and emeralds. Why?” Andrew asked.

  “Ladies love them.”

  “They also love pearls.”

  John had always thought he’d give pearls to the lady he loved above all others. The problem was that he was certain he hadn’t ever come close to truly being in love, though he had great appreciation for all women.

  All of a sudden John tensed. His body grew rigid as his stomach knotted with an unfamiliar feeling that reminded him of jealousy. Surprise hit him in the chest with the force of a meaty fist.

  “What is it?” Andrew asked. “Do you see her?”

  “Yes,” John said tightly, unused to the sudden angry feelings swirling around inside him. “She’s walking off the dance floor, and look who she is with.”

  “Who? Damnation, John, everyone’s walking off the dance floor because the music has stopped. Which one?”

  “The lady with the Marquis of Westerland.”

  “No, no,” Andrew said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Not the young lady with Westerland? That dandy! Is she the one?”

  “That’s her.”

  John’s heart tripped.

  “Damnation,” Andrew muttered as he looked at John in outrage. “You were set up.”

  John jerked around to his friend. “What are you talking about?”

  “That bastard Westerland. He knew the route you were taking in the race just as you knew his. I think he planned her to run out in front of you to keep you from winning the race.”

  John gave Andrew a quizzical glance before zeroing his gaze back on the lady. “The race was close. Once she stopped me for any amount of time, he would have won. Why would she run off with my horse?”