A Secret Love (Cynster 5)

Arching a warning brow at him, Alathea gave Chillingworth her hand. "A pleasure, my lord. Are you enjoying her ladyship's offerings?" There was a string quartet laboring somewhere, and a busy cardroom,

"To be honest, I've found the evening a mite dull." Releasing her hand, Chillingworth smiled. "A little too tame for my liking."

Alathea raised a brow. "Indeed?"

"Hmm. I count myself lucky to have spotted you in this crowd." His gaze was filled with appreciation, especially of her height. His lips curved. "Fortunate, indeed."

Alathea stifled a gurgle of laughter; beside her, Gabriel stiffened. Eyes dancing, she essayed, "I'm engaged in planning a ball for my stepmother. Tell me, what entertainments would best entice gentlemen such as yourself?"

The look Gabriel shot her was unmitigatingly censorious; Alathea ignored it.

So did Chillingworth. "Your fair presence would greatly entice me."

She met his gaze with a blank look. "Yes, but beyond that?"

He nearly choked trying to swallow his laugh. "Ah… beyond that?"

"Come now, Chillingworth. I'm sure, if you concentrate, you'll remember what it is that brings you to these affairs." Gabriel's languid drawl deflected the earl's attention.

Chillingworth's brows rose. Leaning one arm on the pedestal's top, he frowned. "Let me think."

Gabriel snorted softly.

"Not hordes." Catching Alathea's eye, Chillingworth continued, "I can't think why the cachet of exclusivity isn't more widely appreciated."

His gaze on the guests shifting and shuffling before them, causing the three other gentlemen, now relegated to the outer ranks, to have to constantly give way, then struggle back, Gabriel humphed in agreement. "God knows why they imagine literally rubbing shoulders all evening to be fun."

"Because no hostess is game to call the ton's bluff, so we're all left to suffer." Alathea swept the gathering with a resigned eye.

"At least," Gabriel muttered, "we can see reasonably well. It must be worse for those who can't."

"I'm sure it is," Alathea returned. "Mary, Alice, and Serena seem to spend half their time trying to find their way about."

Chillingworth had been watching them, taking in this exchange. "Hmm. As to other requirements, while gentlemen such as I-and Cynster here-might be partial to sonatas and airs in their place, having a set of screeching violins set up in a comer merely constitutes unwarranted distraction."

"Distraction?" Alathea glanced at him. "Distraction from what?"

The direct question made Chillingworth blink. He slid a glance at Gabriel.

Alathea's lips quirked. "From your customary pursuits?"

Chillingworth straightened; Gabriel merely threw her a resigned glance. "Don't mind her," he advised Chillingworth. "Although perhaps I should warn you it only gets worse."

Alathea favored him with a haughty look. "You can't talk."

Glancing from one to the other, Chillingworth stated, "You know each other."

Alathea waved dismissively. "From birth-our association was decided for us, not by us."

Gabriel's brows rose. "Nicely put."

The puzzled look in Chillingworth's eyes didn't entirely evaporate, but he settled beside Alathea again. "Where were we?"

"The amenities you prefer for your customary pursuits."

Alathea was enjoying herself; both Chillingworth and Gabriel sent repressive glances her way.

"Very well." Chillingworth accepted the challenge. "Not a dance schedule that includes only two waltzes. Apropos of that, my dear, I believe the orchestra is about to make