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81 " She knew how to play him so very well.He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly.Her smile was bright enough to light up the room-and make him see stars. "Excellent! I'm so pleased. And now I really should go. I don't want to keep your family waiting."His family. She was going out with his family. His mother and sister, who would no doubt think her absolutely perfect.Perfect for Archer, who his mother was determined to see married, now that she had given up all hopes for Grey. Or perhaps they'd want her for Trystan, although he was still living the life of an adventurous young man."Have fun," he encouraged with all the false enthusiasm he could muster.She flashed a quick grin at him over her shoulder as she made for the door. "I'm sure I will. Your brother will see to that."As far as parting shots went, it wasn't bad. By no means mortal, but deep enough to wound never the less.Alone once more, Grey returned to his chair and pulled the copy of Voluptuous out from underneath the cushion of the other. He stared at it for a moment, contemplating finishing the article on pleasing a woman orally.And then, with a snarl, he flung the pages into the fire, watching ash and embers fly up in the assault. The paper caught quickly, giving off a sudden bloom of heat.Women, he thought as he watched the magazine's mocking text blacken and char.He would be much happier in his misery without them. "
― Kathryn Smith , When Seducing a Duke (Victorian Soap Opera, #1)
82 " So it is hopeless. Is that what you are saying?”Archer smiled. “Nothing is hopeless, but if he means enough to you that you are willing to put up with him, then I will do what I can to help you.”“Why would you do that?” She took a nibble of delicious frosting as her heart thudded hard in her chest. “You don’t even know me.”But what if he could help her convince Grey to rejoin the world?He raised a cake of his own, the frosting stark white against the tan of his fingers. “Because you are the only woman with the exception of my mother and sister who knows my brother intimately and for some reason still likes him. That’s good enough for me. Now, eat some of that cake I was kind enough to fetch you. I wouldn’t want you to tell Grey I was a poor companion.”Rose’s smile caught on her lips. “Are you suggesting I use you to make your brother jealous?”Archer laughed. “My dear girl, it will take better men than me to drive Grey into action.” His expression turned positively rakish. “But I’m as good a place to start as any. "
83 " What did this Madame Moon tell you?”Her friend frowned slightly. “It was so strange. She said there was a man here tonight who was everything I could ever want, and that if I did not find him, my life would be empty and…tragic.”“Good lord.” Rose dug in her heels. “I’m not going near this woman. It’s all about men.”“We’re women,” Eve needlessly reminded her, giving her a shove toward the tent entrance. “Of course it’s all about men. Now get in th…oh my.”Rose turned her head. Her friend was staring at someone on the other side of the room-a man. A handsome, lean, dangerous-looking man with the grace of a cat. A very predatory cat, and he was staring at Eve as though she was the sweetest, plumpest mouse he’d ever seen.Perhaps there was more to this Madame Moon than she first suspected. One look at Eve’s face and she could tell her friend was just as taken by this man as he by her. “Go,” Rose whispered. And then loudly she said, “Eve, is not that Amanda Ross by the punch bowl? She said she had a recipe for a new face cream. Go get it from her, will you?”Eve shot her a startled glance, because they both knew Amanda Ross was standing not two feet away from Vienna La Rieux, who was conversing with Mr. Dangerous. But as startled as her friend might have been by the encouragement, she also realized that both of their chaperones were in line to have their fortunes told and that she might never have an opportunity like this again.“Of course,” she replied loudly as well. “I will be right back.”And off she went. Alone, and the target of exasperated looks by the ladies waiting their turns, Rose ducked into the tent to face her future. "
84 " I see a man.”Rose bit back a sigh. Of course she did. She seemed to see a man in every cup. And here she’d actually hoped that Sadie Moon might be as unusually talented as her appearance suggested.“He hides himself. A mask. He keeps to the shadows.”Rose’s heart rolled over her chest. “What else?”“You want him,” Sadie said, turning the cup in her palms. “You do not understand what you feel for him, or why he pushes you away.”“No.” Rose was breathless. “I don’t.”Those fey eyes locked with hers. “Because he loves you enough to give you up. He is all about duty and honor, but he is ruled by fear.”She was on the very edge of her seat now. “Yes. He’s afraid of coming out of the shadows.”Sadie shook her head, the feathers on her hat bobbing. “That’s only part of it. He’s afraid for you.”“For me?” Rose’s teeth clicked together. “Why?”The fortune teller shrugged. “For that answer, you will have to go to him. You have many men in your cup, Lady Rose.”Disappointed, Rose sagged a little. “For all the good it does me.”A bright grin flashed beneath that amazing hat. “The man who wants you but will not take you. Another who would take everything you offer and give what he can of himself-but it will not be enough. Another who wants nothing from you at all.”Grey. Kellan? And probably Archer. "
85 " And there’s one more thing.”Rose accepted the handshake with a smile, hoping she would see this strange woman again. “What is that?”“The man in your cup-the one who you say hides from the world?”“Yes, what of him?”Sadie smiled. “He’s here. "
86 " From where he sat in the box above the ballroom, Grey was able to watch Rose without her knowing.The Duke of Ryeton, notorious rake and scoundrel, reduced to Peeping Tom. This is what Rose had brought him to. It was exactly one week ago tonight that he’d made lover to her for the last time. In this very building, in a room he canceled the reservation for just an hour ago. "
87 " Your brother is the most ridiculous, hardheaded, stupid man I know!”Rose half expected Archer to chastise her. Instead, he took a second glass of champagne from the footman passing with the tray and offered it to her. “And you are surprised by this?”“Astonishingly, yes.” She took a long, unladylike swallow of the crisp, bubbly liquid.“I’m astounded. Ah, here are two scoundrels you should know to avoid.” His grin told her he considered them quite the opposite.They were good-looking men, one tall and dark, the other almost as tall with brown hair and blue eyes and enough of the Kane countenance that she picked him for Grey's relation instantly. They met Archer enthusiastically, and then turned polite curiosity in her direction."Lady Rose Danvers," Archer said jovially. "May I present the Earl of Autley." The dark man bowed over her offered hand. "And my cousin, Mr. Aiden Kane?" The man who looked a bit like Grey smiled and took her hand next."It's lovely to meet you, Lady Rose," the earl said smoothly. "I hope you are enjoying your time in London?""Oh, yes," she replied. "Lord Archer has been a very entertaining companion.""I don't doubt it," Aiden said with a grin as he clapped Archer on the shoulder. "
