CHAPTER 11
Rose Darlington had her cap set for Miles Warner, and there was no way that this little nobody was going to come in and take him from her.
Everyone knew that Rose was the Diamond of the ton. Her pedigree was top notch, and her family fortune was nothing to sneeze at.
With long white blond hair and pale brown eyes, Rose was the perfect example of an English Rose. Right to the perfect blush on her alabaster cheeks. She should know, her lady’s maid had applied the tiniest bit of paint to her high cheekbones.
Not that she would ever admit that to anyone. And if word got out Rose would deny it until her dying day. Only the demimonde used paints for their faces.
But Rose was getting desperate. A few years back, Rose had been asked by some of the other debutantes to join a sort of club. It was something to the effect of the less fortunate banding together.
Rose had categorically refused. She was beautiful, of good stock and needed no assistance in getting a husband.
What really chaffed, was that everyone at that original meeting was now married. First it had been that terrible Sophie, who had wed Baron Mangrove. Next it was the fatty Eden, who somehow ensnared Lord Randall, who was a marquess of all things.
When the little slip of a girl, Eva, nabbed Viscount Moberly. Rose had screamed fits in her room.
The next marriage happened quite unexpectedly. That horrid Hazel, granted she was Miles’ sister, but Rose wouldn’t hold that against him. Hazel had roped the lovely Lord Shore in whist all the world was unaware. It was a havey-cavey sort of affair, and to make matters worse. Rose had not been invited to the wedding!
And then, the most unfair of all, Beatrice Loveless, whom everyone knew was firmly on the shelf, trapped Lord Bosworth who is an Earl of all things. And she was old, and had unfashionable red hair.
Rose had gone into a complete outrage. How could this be happening to her? What was this world coming to?
Miles was one of the few eligible bachelors who had both his looks and his fortune. He didn’t gamble overmuch, nor was he prone to violence. And if rumors were true, he lived most of the year in the country. This would be ideal for Rose. She could send him away for nine months of the year.
Rose had no intention of ever leaving London. That is where the excitement was greatest and where she needed to be.
Rose narrowed her eyes at Miles who had taken little nobody, Henrietta Moberly’s, arm and tucked it beneath his own.
“Lady Hattie, is it?” Rose knew full well that it wasn’t.
Hetty turned to face Rose. “Henrietta, actually, only my closest friends call me Hetty.”
Miles seemed to choke on something, and rounded it out with a cough.
Rose’s smile was insincere, “I hadn’t realized that Lord Chambers was one of your closest friends.”
Miles tightened his grasp on Hetty’s hand, “Yes, well, Hetty and I have quite a long-standing friendship. One that I would like to delve further into. But I am afraid we are going to miss our dance. Please excuse us, Miss Darlington.”
Hetty bit her lip to keep her laughter at bay. Rose Darlington looked like she was shooting daggers at the both of them. Hetty knew that making an enemy of the woman was not the best of ideas. However, she also knew that her stomach had dropped and her heart had sped away with her when Miles had grasped her hand.
“That was well done of you,” Miles swung Hetty around and they took their positions on the dance floor.
Hetty giggled, “I am sorry, Lord Chambers, but you may have some fallout from this evening.”
Miles quirked a brow in question.
Hetty explained, “I think that Miss Darlington is not going to take this lying down.”
The music began and Miles led Hetty into the waltz. “You called me Miles, earlier, I quite liked it.”
Hetty looked up shyly, “If you are certain?”
Miles’ blue eyes smoldered down at her, “I am certain that I want to get to know you better. I am also certain that there is more to you, than I have previously given credit. I fear that you may be right about Miss Darlington stirring up trouble. But I have no wish for it to taint you, Hetty.”
Hetty loved her name on his lips. He was in such perfect control all the time. His coal black hair, always immaculately styled, Miles’ form and address always as it should be.
Hetty wondered what it would be like to see him discomposed. He had certainly seen her at her worst last year when he rescued her in the rain.
“I am not afraid of Rose Darlington,” Hetty replied after a moment. “But I am certain that she has certain expectations when it comes to you, Miles.”
Miles frowned, “I have not given her reason to believe that there is an understanding between us. I have only ever been polite when necessary.”
Hetty shrugged, the simple innocent gesture causing her bosom to rise and fall delicately. Miles felt every movement that she made. She was effortlessly beautiful, how had he not realized this before. Her chestnut hair, with caramel and gold strewn through, shined in the candlelight. Miles felt a longing for more time and dreaded when the time came that he had to let her go.
“You don’t suppose,” Miles started but then stopped himself. Surely, he couldn’t ask that of her.
“What is it?” Hetty flashed him her hazel eyes.
“Do you suppose that I could call on you again? Much like I did tonight if Miss Darlington becomes…”
While Miles searched for the correct word, Hetty felt a bubble of hope in her chest. As to who or why she was feeling it with Miles Warner she didn’t really care. All she knew was that for the first time, in the longest time, Hetty was thoroughly enjoying herself.
“I would love to be your partner in crime,” Hetty twinkled.
Miles was lost in her beauty and almost stumbled. Thankfully he was much too proper to fall on the dancefloor with this goddess in his arms.
“I am forever in your debt then,” he murmured as they came to a stop along with the instruments that had been playing. “Perhaps, I could call on you, Hetty, to discuss our plan?” Miles was holding his breath, praying that she wouldn’t say no.
A wide smile broke across her face, “I would love that.”
Miles bowed over her hand, barely resisting the opportunity to kiss her silky skin once more. “Until tomorrow then.”