Ten Ways to Ruin

be so I can feed this hungry boy. And please let Tessa know that Jane is well.”

“Of course.” Simon wiped his chin and walked out of the room. There was something about seeing his nephew that always lightened his mood. The innocence of a baby, he supposed. All goodness. Something he saw so little of in a gaming hell.

After returning downstairs, he let Harry know that his wife would be indisposed for a while and then let Louisa’s sister know her daughter was well. He never felt at ease in the ballrooms of the elite. Staring about the ballroom indifferently, he decided to try the gaming room. The small gaming room was set up with table games in the center, surrounded by card games. He decided to try his luck at the card table.

He stopped a footman walking by and grabbed a snifter of brandy from the tray. He sipped the smoky liquid and realized it was as good as what he served at Hell.

“Kingsley, good to see you tonight,” Lord Ainsley said, also snatching a brandy. They both sat at the écarté table. “It’s been months.”

“Well, unlike you, I don’t hibernate in Scotland all winter long.”

Ainsley chuckled. “True, but it is far nicer than staying in town.”

Simon tilted his head with a smug smile. “Is it?

“If I’m not mistaken, you spent a good portion of the winter at your brother’s estate. While not quite Scotland, not terribly far from it.”

“Touché, Ainsley.”

He’d only stayed at Northrop Park to await his nephew’s arrival just after the new year. Unlike Ainsley, Simon returned to town in mid-January.

They played a few hands of écarté, and Simon lost a small amount. Lady Leicester refused to have large stakes at her gaming tables. Seeing the lady herself wander into the room, he smiled at the eccentric older woman. She wore a deep blue gown and a turban on her head. Sticking out of the turban were three long peacock feathers, waving like flags in the wind.

Both men rose and bowed to the countess.

“Good evening again, Lady Leicester,” Simon said.

“Good evening, Ainsley, Mr. Kingsley,” Lady Leicester said as she glanced about the room. “Now, why are two of the most eligible gentlemen sitting in my gaming room instead of dancing with all the beautiful ladies in the ballroom?”

“Ahh, but the dancing only just started, ma’am,” Ainsley replied with a smile.

“Well, now that it has, I expect you both to dance tonight. I shall take no rebuttals from you, Kingsley.” She gave him a pointed look. “Many good families would be more than willing to accept you as a husband for one of their daughters.”

“You mean accept my money and connections to the Duke of Worthington.”

“Exactly,” she said with a smile. “Accept the boon your late father gave you. Many dukes would never have claimed their bastard, even if it was done at his death.”

He supposed the older lady was right. While he known for years that he was the duke’s son, it wasn’t until the man passed that he claimed Simon by leaving him a fortune in his will. “I will dance at least once tonight, ma’am.”

“Of course you will,” she said before strolling away.

“I suppose we had better do as she says, or God knows what she will do,” Ainsley commented as he picked up his winnings.

Simon nodded. Lady Leicester had a reputation for calling out people, no matter their rank, if she felt they deserved a good tongue lashing. She wasn’t called the Dragon of Mayfair without cause.

Following Ainsley into the ballroom, he instantly wished he had stayed in the gaming room. Their entrance moved the gaze of several young ladies toward them. Upon further note, he realized most of the looks focused on Ainsley. An earl with a fortune to inherit was a far better option than a bastard like him. Ignoring the innocent stares, he concentrated on who he might know in the room.

His gaze stopped on one lovely blonde who was far too off-limits for anything more than a glance. But after looking around the room, he settled back on Miss Emma Drake. With golden hair and blue eyes, Louisa’s sister stayed on the outskirts of the room with a slight furrow to her brows as if in deep contemplation. Simon couldn’t look away as she scanned the room, but for whom?

To his knowledge, she had no suitors, not that he kept track of that, but Louisa tended to bemoan her sister’s situation. What had Miss Drake in such a serious mood this evening?

She tilted her head and leaned closer to her friend, whispering something. Miss Susan Lancaster said something in return. His curiosity engaged, he wondered what would have Miss Lancaster gesturing so animatedly. He leaned against the wall, now thoroughly engrossed in seeing this silent drama to its end.

Miss Drake moved away from her friend and headed toward the refreshment table. He would love to move in that same direction if for nothing else than to fluster her. Watching her color rise when Simon spoke to her always intrigued him. Instead, he stayed in his position and watched as she neared the table...and Mr. August Simpson. Clenching his jaw, Simon watched her speak with Mr. Simpson.

Simpson took her outstretched gloved hand and kissed the top of it. Simon could think of no one in her acquaintance who would have presented her to that man. Had she just introduced herself to one of the worst defilers of innocents in Society? Miss Drake would never make such a social blunder.

Simon watched Simpson escort Miss Drake to the dance floor. This shouldn’t trouble him. Miss Drake was nothing to him. Except, she was Louisa’s sister. And while he had never bothered with family before now, Louisa had accepted him as her brother-in-law without question. With her assistance Harry and Simon grew closer, inviting him to dine with them quite often. He supposed he owed her to watch out for her younger sister.