Sin With a Scoundrel (The Husband Hunters Club 4)

Tina drank another glass of champagne, frustrated by the turn the evening and her own feelings were taking. She had imagined having Horace to herself and instead she was sharing him with everyone else.

Richard Eversham, at her shoulder, chose that moment to whisper in her ear.

Why not see if you can turn his attention back to you?

How will I do that? You can tell he’s far more interested in Anne than me.

You know how. Do as I told you.

As she sipped from her glass she allowed her shawl to slowly slip farther down her shoulders until her décolletage was no longer hidden. If her bosom was her only attribute, then she must take Mr. Eversham’s advice and show it off as much as possible.

And Horace certainly noticed.

He looked and then turned away and looked back again as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Was he interested or embarrassed? She couldn’t tell, but now she’d begun she could hardly go back. It was time to try her charms on some of the other guests. Why not? What had she to lose now? By next week she might be inhabiting a small room at the Fleet Prison.

With all the confidence born of two glasses of champagne—and Richard at her shoulder—Tina excused herself from the small group that included the object of her heart’s desire and joined the boisterous assembly around the pianoforte. She bent over the pianist to look at the words, giving all those present an extra good view of her attributes, and then joined in the singing. She found she was thoroughly enjoying herself and the company she was in. It was amusing to flutter her eyelashes and touch gentlemen’s arms, and she soon became the life of the party, or at least the small section gathered around the pianoforte.

So what if several of the ladies were staring at her disapprovingly and whispering about her behind their gloved hands? They were jealous, that was all. In fact she was having such a good time that she was a little disappointed when it was time to leave for the theater although it was quite gratifying when several young men asked her to accompany them in their carriages.

Fortunately she had Charles to escort her, as she had no desire to single out any of the young men and have him think she might have any real interest. She was interested in one man only, the husband she was hunting, Lord Horace Gilfoyle.

Actually the theater was a trifle dull after the excitement of the soiree, and she found herself sitting beside her brother and a rather timid gentleman who introduced himself as John Little, a business acquaintance of Horace’s. There were refreshments in the interval, and more champagne. Tina knew she really shouldn’t, but the drinks she had had at Horace’s town house were wearing off, and with them her sense of invincibility where her reputation was concerned.

Of what use is a reputation when you are poor? Let those with money worry about their reputations. You need to marry a wealthy husband.

“You’re still here!” she cried with pleasure. She had thought Richard was gone, but now he was back, whispering in her ear.

“Miss Smythe? Are you well?” Mr. Little was looking at her with some concern, and Tina realized she’d spoken aloud.

She laughed gaily. “Mr. Little, I do apologize. A thought just popped into my head, and I spoke it without considering I was in company.”

“Tina, do be quiet, the play is starting again.” Charles was giving her a disapproving look, which she found amusing considering the number of times he’d overindulged with champagne and become noisy.

She was tempted to tell him so but as she opened her mouth, he leaned toward her and said, “If you don’t shut up, I’ll tell Mama you were drunk.”

Tina subsided into silence, brooding upon the difficulty of having a brother who only noticed one’s behavior when one didn’t want him to. But it was pleasing when Mr. Little gave her a sympathetic smile, as if he understood completely.

As the play drew to a close Tina found herself feeling very sleepy, and Charles kept nudging her. As they were leaving to go home Mr. Little took her hand and asked if he might pay her a visit and, without any real thought, she said of course he could and, after brief good-byes to the other guests, she and Charles departed.

“What on earth got into you?” Charles hissed, as they jolted along London’s dark streets. “I was embarrassed, Tina.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, stifling a yawn. “I had a wonderful time.”

Charles subsided, and Tina was left with her own thoughts.

Congratulations! Richard was still there at her side. You put your mark on tonight’s proceedings, Tina. Mark my words, only good can come of this.

Tina smiled at the passing night beyond the coach window. Yes, it had been a success. She’d started her husband hunting tonight, and surely, very soon, Horace would be hers.

Chapter 8

Richard returned to Five Jasmine Street late in the evening and slept well and rose eager to begin the day. Miss Smythe’s visit was for two o’clock, and he was looking forward to it. In fact his level of anticipation surprised him and made him uneasy. As did his growing urge to warn her about Lord Horace Gilfoyle.

But that was impossible.

Knowing Archie now had a foot in the Smythe household would just have to be enough. Good God, she might already be engaged! And even if she did believe what Richard had to say and not storm out of his house, she might let slip to Gilfoyle the Guardians’ suspicions of him, and that would ruin everything.

Because if Gilfoyle was the Captain, then Richard knew he would stop at nothing to bring him to justice for his brother’s death. Spoiling Miss Smythe’s wedding plans was hardly going to prevent him from taking his revenge; in fact it might make him even more determined to deal with the brute.