“Lady Reid,” he murmured, accepting her proffered hand and bowing over it, his lips only just brushing her skin. “My evening has brightened considerably now that I have seen you.”
Lady Reid’s lips curved gently, her eyes holding his. “Your lips are honey, Lord Weston,” she murmured, as he let go of her hand. “But I shall not be taken in by you.”
Thomas could not help but chuckle, knowing full well that Lady Reid very much enjoyed playing a flirtatious game with any gentleman she set her eyes upon. Being both widowed and wealthy meant that she could do as she pleased, using gentlemen as though they were mere fripperies. He had never yet experienced the pleasures that Lady Reid had to offer, although he very much appreciated her company whenever she deigned herself to draw near to him. He would be the envy of almost every gentleman present.
“Might I not be allowed the opportunity to attempt to find something of import to say, Lady Reid?” he asked, moving a little closer to her, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You may discover that I can be as genuine in my words as in my actions.”
Lady Reid batted her long, dark eyelashes as she looked up at him, tilting her head carefully, as though she were a cat studying her intended prey. “That may be so, Lord Weston,” she replied, her voice soft. “I must consider whether or not I shall give you the opportunity to prove yourself to me in such a fashion.”
Thomas’s heart leapt in his chest – not out of any sort of affection or fondness for the lady before him, but rather because of the hope that he might now become the chosen favorite of Lady Reid. “I must hope that you will find me satisfactory,” he replied with a small bow. “But for the moment, might I walk with you in search of some refreshments?”
Lady Reid looked at him for a long moment, her piercing gaze beginning to bite away at Thomas’s hope. But then, she smiled at him and turned, reaching out one hand to him so that she might place it on his arm – and Thomas’s heart burst to life again.
Walking through the ballroom, Thomas felt as though he were walking on the clouds in the sky, such was his pleasure and delight. Every eye was turned to him, every gaze catching sight of Lady Reid and her hand on his arm. It was a distinct, outward sign that she was considering him, and Thomas was almost breathless with importance.
And then he saw Miss Wells.
His heart dropped to the floor almost at once, his sudden recollection that he was to be supposedly attempting to court Miss Wells stabbing at his mind fiercely. Catching his breath, he forced a smile to his face, as Lady Reid looked up at him sharply, stumbling to find some explanation for his sudden intake of breath.
“I am overwhelmed by your presence, Lady Reid,” he told her, seeing her concern fade and her brows lift from where they had knotted. “You do me a great honor with such attention.” He tried his best to ignore the way his stomach had twisted at the sight of Miss Wells, telling himself that he had nothing to worry about when it came to the lady. He was simply walking through the ballroom with another lady on his arm, and surely Miss Wells could not construe anything improper from that!
Lady Reid gave him a sidelong look, turning her face away. “There may be more of this attention that you so obviously crave, Lord Weston,” she murmured, her words bringing a thrill of excitement to his chest. “If you would like to further your acquaintance with me, then I should be glad if you would call upon me.” She looked up at him again, a knowing smile touching her lips. “Although you should not have any expectations, Lord Weston.”
“I have no expectations whatsoever, I assure you,” Thomas replied firmly, practically feeling the lingering stare of Miss Wells on his retreating back. “But I thank you, Lady Reid, for your generous offer. I should be more than happy to call upon you whenever you are next able to see me.”
Lady Reid nodded, smiled, and let go of his arm. “A dance later, mayhap?”
“A waltz, I hope,” Thomas said, hoping his luck with Lady Reid had not run out. “Or the supper dance?”
Lady Reid’s smile grew. “The supper dance would do me very well,” she replied quickly. “I look forward to speaking with you later this evening, Lord Weston.”
“Good evening,” he murmured, watching Lady Reid walk away and finding his whole being suddenly glowing with the delight of what might yet be with the lady. Of course, that could only come after he had finished his supposed courtship with Miss Wells, but that should not inconvenience Lady Reid in any way. She was not the sort of lady who was eager for courtship and marriage, for she was more than content, it seemed, with her life such as it was. If things went as he hoped with Lady Reid, then all he would have to do was ensure that Miss Wells had no knowledge of it.
“What are you doing?”
The hissed words of Lord Henderson reached Thomas’s ears, and he turned around with a sigh, looking wearily at his friend.
“Whatever is the matter now, Henderson?” he asked, rubbing his forehead. “I did not think that accompanying a lady for a short time was to be frowned upon.”
“Miss Wells has been watching you carefully,” Lord Henderson replied, his brow furrowing. “Do you wish to win this wager or not?”
Thomas shook his head. “You are being quite ridiculous, Henderson. I have done nothing wrong. I will admit that I saw Miss Wells watching me, but I felt no concern.” The lie came easily to his lips. “I have not made an error in judgement, I am quite certain.”
Lord Henderson’s frown did not lift. “Everyone in London is aware of Lady Reid’s status. They know full well that she is not at all inclined towards matrimony but rather seeks close friendships with her chosen gentlemen for entirely different purposes.” His eyes narrowed still further. “And now that you have been seen with her in such an intimate fashion, rumors will begin to spread.”
Unable to prevent it, Thomas laughed aloud at this statement, shaking his head. “I hardly think walking with a lady is in any way intimate,” he replied with a chuckle. “You are much too concerned, my friend. I would have thought that you would wish me to lose the bet in order to make me realize just how foolish I am.”
“You are my friend, Weston,” Lord Henderson stated firmly. “I may have been in my cups when the wager was made, but I must tell you that I am concerned not only for your sake but also for Miss Wells. As much as it pains me to admit it, I do not want you to lose the wager—for you will lose a great deal of money. What will your father say to that?”
Thomas’s mouth went dry as he considered it, going cold all over. He had not given much thought to what his father’s reaction would be, for
he had believed that he would be quite successful in his wager. However, if he failed, and if he did, in fact, have to pay Lord Wiltshire the money that was owed, then most likely, he would have the weight of his father’s displeasure resting on his shoulders thereafter. His father would be furious, his already worn patience broken completely. Would he insist that Thomas wed a lady of his choosing, instead of allowing Thomas to continue on as he was? Thomas shuddered at the thought.
And yet, the wonderful Lady Reid was much too beautiful to give up.
“I have a dance with Miss Wells,” he told Lord Henderson, who did not look in the least bit pleased. “I shall ensure that my attention is given to her solely and that she knows there is nothing to fear as regards Lady Reid.”
Lord Henderson shook his head but said nothing.