"For now," she said, "you are entertainment."
"Only entertainment?"He pressed a hand to his heart."Cruel."
"Accomplice would require criminal intent."
"Oh, I have that," he said."I simply prefer my crimes small and well-dressed."
Her mouth curved."You make very poor metaphors when rattled, Lord Redford."
"I am not rattled," he said, entirely rattled.
They stood side by side, looking out at the neat garden.
"I meant what I said," he added quietly."No wagers that treat your life as a stake.Only wagers made with you."
She turned her head, studying him.
"You recall my rules," she said.
"I am not entirely frivolous," he said."Occasionally, I listen."
She considered."Very well.For the moment, we may be...allies."
"Allies," he echoed, "until such time as you decide you have had enough of mischief and wish to become perfectly sensible."
"Do not hold your breath."
"Never."
Inside, the orchestra slid into another lively piece.Laugh rang out.The Season waited.
Between the lanterns and the dark, Lady Esme lifted her chin.
James realized, with a faint sense of dread and delight, that in founding his little society he might just have stumbled into the most interesting complication of his life.
Or perhaps the first worthwhile one.
Chapter2
Lady Esme Jones had never seen a teapot look quite so judgmental, its painted roses arranged in a distinct frown.She averted her gaze to the morning room window.
"We must note you danced with Watford twice last night," Mother, the Viscountess of Woodmere said, stirring her tea."That will do very well.He was attentive.You were properly modest.No one can say you showed partiality."
"Except," Harrison added, folding the morning paper, "when you vanished to the terrace with Redford."Harrison's eyes remained flat on hers, his jaw set as if the memory required restraint.
Esme buttered her toast."It was hardly vanishing.There were lanterns.And dowagers.The Bishop nearly tripped over us."
Her mother's spoon paused."You were alone with him, Esme."
"Not for long," Esme said."And we spoke of nothing more scandalous than fresh air and ink."
Mother sighed.“Lord Redford is not the sort of man one is alone with, regardless of topic.We have only just begun to repair the impressions the ton formed when you refused Lord Nevan last year."
Harrison flattened the paper, scanning the columns.
“Lord Redford made a spectacle of you," he said."Dancing in front of half the ton, laughing and drawing attention as he fawned over you.You may find it amusing, but not everyone shares your appetite for disruption."
Esme set her knife down.