The Offer (Baron 2)

Phillip turned to see Charles Askbridge standing at his elbow.

Phillip looked down a moment at his well-manicured fingernails. He said mildly, “Clarendon just arrived in town. He’s a friend, Charles. Would you that I barred him from my home?”

“He still wants her. Just look at the way he’s staring at her. You’re placing Sabrina in a rather awkward position. I wouldn’t do it.”

Phillip just shrugged. “Excuse me, Charles, I believe I’ll dance with Teresa. I can’t wait to see what she has to say. I’ll either start laughing at the absurdity of it all or strangle her on the dance floor. Which do you think is preferable?”

36

Sabrina turned, smiling, and said to Richard Clarendon, “Your mother and son are well?”

“Yes.” He sounded angry.

“Have I offended you in some way, Richard?”

His dark eyes flashed a moment. “Of course not. It is I who have offended myself.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Many times I don’t understand myself.” The girl in his arms was now the Viscountess Derencourt and there was nothing on earth that could change that fact. “I read of your marriage.”

“It’s been nearly a week now. It seems much longer, truth be told.”

He wondered, looking down at her, what would have happened if he hadn’t gone to one of his northern estates after her refusal of him at Moreland. If he’d been in London at the time of her ruin, would he, like Phillip, have tried yet again to convince her to marry him? He didn’t fault Phillip for his course of action; he only wished that it had been he who had been her rescuer. He saw that she was looking at him, a clear question in those incredible eyes of hers, and quickly changed the topic.

“I visited Monmouth Abbey again before coming to London. Your grandfather does much better. That weasel cousin of yours assured me a dozen times if he assured me once that the earl would recover. Trevor really is a paltry fellow, Sabrina, but I swear to you that I didn’t knock his teeth down his throat. I did, however, grab the weasel by his cravat and lift him a good six inches off the floor and shake him until his head snapped.”

She grinned up at him. “That was well done of you. Actually, I’d like to do that, too. I had another letter from Grandfather just yesterday. He sounds better. Thank you for going there, Richard. It’s very kind of you. Did you visit with him?”

“Yes, briefly. His color is better. He’s very pleased that you’re safe.”

He saw that she didn’t want to ask, and said quickly, “Yes, I also saw Elizabeth. She appears to enjoy being mistress of the manor. But you know as well as I do that it has to be one of her only pleasures. It’s becoming common knowledge that Trevor indulges himself with the Monmouth servants. And Elizabeth knows it. Every day he is less discreet. I heard that he was even bedding her maid, Mary.”

“But does Trevor at least treat her well in public?”

“Yes, he’s not altogether stupid. I’m glad you’re out of that household.”

“Poor Elizabeth,” she said. “She doesn’t deserve to be tied to a man like him, no woman does. I told her the truth but she wouldn’t listen to me.”

“I don’t remember Elizabeth ever listening to anybody. You’re still too thin, Sabrina.”

“Give me time, Richard,” she said easily. “Phillip tells me that if we go to Dinwitty Manor, the cook there will make me fat as a flawn within a week.”

“He’s right. It’s a dangerous place to go.” She felt his hand tighten about her waist and blinked at him. His dark eyes glittered.

Richard wished now that he hadn’t come. There was still a tug of attraction for her. It was still too strong for his own peace of mind. Although he enjoyed married ladies, the thought of flirting with Sabrina, of trying to seduce her, was distasteful to him and that smacked of a morality he didn’t want to see in himself. “Your ball is a success.”

“Yes. Phillip has done well by me, don’t you think?”

“You don’t sound very pleased. What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy?” His grip tightened about her fingers.

“Of course I’m happy. It’s also a good thing that I’m no longer that silly young girl from Yorkshire.”

The waltz drew to a close. Richard drew her hand through his arm, his fingers warm and caressing over hers. “Come, Sabrina, let us try some of your punch. I heard from one very happy lady that there’s superb champagne in it. Phillip’s cellars have an excellent reputation.”

She nodded, looking for her husband from the corner of her eye. She finally saw him in laughing conversation with a striking girl whose name she couldn’t remember.

Suddenly there was a rending sound. Sabrina stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh, drat, just look what I’ve done. My beautiful gown, I’ve caught the hem and ripped it. Do forgive me, Richard. I must go fix it.”