The French Maid (5 page)

Ah, he had the fish on the line. He faced her again. “Yes?”

“Why can’t we discuss it right here?”

He cast a meaningful glance at the people straining to overhear the conversation between the notorious Angel of Death and the notorious female rumored to have challenged him to a race. “I’d have thought you’d prefer the privacy of a waltz for that, to prevent any chance of your grandfather finding out what you’re contemplating, but if you don’t care—”

“Oh.” She glanced nervously about. “You do have a point.”

“It’s your decision,” he said casually. “You would probably just as soon forget the whole thing, in which case—”

“No, indeed.” She lifted her chin and said in a carrying voice, “I’d be happy to dance with you, Lord Gabriel.”

“Very well.” With a cordial smile, he took her to the floor, casting a triumphant glance back at Lyons. When the duke lifted his eyes heavenward, Gabe grinned.

Not good with women, hah! What did Lyons know about it?

True, he rarely had dealings with respectable females, but surely he could get a woman to marry him. He was eligible enough, despite the scandal that surrounded his family, and he was generally accounted to be handsome. And he should soon inherit a tidy fortune.

Granted, Miss Waverly had a certain bias against him, but her current situation was very precarious. All he need do was show her his good side, soften her up a bit, and then point out the practical advantages to a marriage between them.

How hard could it be?

Table of Contents

Start