“Don’t be ridiculous!” Elliott said. “You will not go to a gaming hell!”
“Why not?” Diana winked at Amber. “I gather you go there quite often.”
“I do,” Amber said. “But if you wish to go, pray have me alongside you. Just as I shall be very pleased to have you with me at Almack’s.”
Diana clapped her hands. “Excellent! We have a bargain.”
“We do not,” Elliott declared, but no one was listening to him.
Amber and Diana were smiling at one another, and Amber’s imagination had taken flight. Who might she dance with at Almack’s? Just think of the eligible gentlemen she would meet and perhaps marry! The very idea brought her gaze back to Elliott. Because she was certain, he would not dance with her. And never, ever marry her. Hadn’t he said that last night? And wasn’t that reinforced now by the way he was scowling at his sister?
Clearly, he did not approve of her ideas on social change. And he certainly didn’t approve of Amber dancing at Almack’s or potentially marrying into his ranks. Which was like looking at a wet blanket on a dreary day. Even the sight of him depressed her.
“Do you know what I think?” Diana asked brightly.
Elliott groaned. “What now?”
“I think you should take Miss Gohar for a ride around Hyde Park this afternoon. If she is to be one of us, then she should be introduced properly, don’t you think? And a tour about the park in the fashionable hour is just the way to show our support.”
“But he doesn’t,” Amber pointed out as she looked at his stunned face. “He doesn’t support me.”
“He will,” Diana returned archly. “He will if he wants me to keep Mr. Lucifer and all those new footmen running about.”
“They’re here to protect you,” he grumbled.
“I have been protecting myself long before you came to London.” Was there bitterness in her tone? Anger? Not exactly. More like resignation to her fate. But that didn’t mean she’d lost her spirit as she boldly challenged her brother.
“Will you support her, Elliott? Will you help her marry well?”
Her brother swallowed the last of his tea, then looked to Amber. It was the first time this afternoon that he had set all his attention on her. And far from having a devoted expression, he looked as if he had just swallowed poison. “It shall be my pleasure to ride with you at the fashionable hour.” His expression softened, and his words came out with sincerity. “But do you want to, Amber? Don’t let my sister use you if this is not what you want.”
“As opposed to how you are using me for your vote? And to dupe Lady Morthan into thinking her grandson isn’t the grandest idiot of them all?”
He flinched, but he kept his expression clear. “Even so,” he said. “I will only do this if you wish it.”
“I do,” she said with absolute truth. “I want to go to Hyde Park. I want to go to Almack’s. I want to marry a young lord and leave my gray cage forever.” She looked to Diana. “Even if I switch a gray cage for a gilded one, it is still an improvement. So yes, my lord, I shall be pleased to go riding with you.”
“Excellent,” Diana cried. “Now go away, brother. Amber and I have to discuss her wardrobe for this afternoon and then for tomorrow’s dance.” She winked at Amber. “And I shall talk to you about all the gentlemen who are likely to be present, who you should entertain, and who should be set aside like bad meat.”
Amber thought she had better information on who was a bounder simply because she knew who frequented the Lyon’s Den, but it was always good to know more. “I am at your disposal…Diana.” It was bold of her to use the lady’s given name after her deception had been revealed. But Diana smiled and then gave an arch look to her brother. “We shall expect you at four o’clock.”
Her brother stood slowly as he stared at her. “You will allow Lucifer and his men to remain here? For as long as I deem it necessary?”
Diana froze a brief moment, but then she nodded. “Yes,” she said softly. “I will allow it and…and attempt to be grateful for it.”
Elliott gave his sister a bow. “Then, I am content. And I will see you this afternoon.”
It was done. Amber’s wildest dreams were coming true all because she was a convenient bargaining chip between brother and sister, not to mention an instrument of social change and possible revenge. None of that sat well. She was a person with desires of her own. But beggars couldn’t be choosers, so she would take what she could and make the most of it.
And maybe, just maybe, she would meet her future husband today.
Chapter Eleven
Politics was a dicey game. Society was a great deal more complicated. And given that Elliott had spent the afternoon failing at the first game, he was not in the best frame of mind to attempt the second. But he had promised his sister, and so he appeared at her front door at precisely four of the clock. He was unhappy, frustrated, and not fit company for anyone. And yet, all of that disappeared the moment Amber stepped into the parlor.
She wore a simple gown of rose, too pale a color for her, he thought, but muted colors were expected of ladies entering the marriage mart. She smiled in greeting even as she turned to accept a fashionable wrap from his sister.
“This will keep you warm if the weather kicks up,” Diana said. “But if you can stand it, keep it off. A little cold engages the male mind.”
She meant that men enjoyed seeing the outline of nipples. If even the vaguest bumps appeared, men would come from everywhere just to greet her.
“She doesn’t need ploys,” Elliott grumbled as he shook out the wrap and put it across Amber’s shoulders. “She’s beautiful just as she is.” He meant what he said to an almost disturbing degree. After all, he knew many lovely ladies, several of whom were considered quite beautiful. Objectively, Amber was fair but not exceptional.
Except when he looked at her, his breath was stolen away, and he couldn’t figure out why. Her face was pleasing with clear skin and a pert nose. Her figure was delightfully curvy, but not overly so. Why was he struck dumb when she entered a room? And why did he watch as she murmured her thanks to the butler and smiled earnestly up at his sister?
Because she was honest, he realized. No coyness, no games. She looked directly at one when she spoke, and he saw no deviousness in her words or form. If she was embarrassed, he knew. And if she wanted something, he knew that as well. Her body was strong, telling him she labored. It didn’t matter to him whether she was a farmhand or the grandest duchess in the land. She was not idle, and that appealed to him. But most of all, when she looked at him, he felt it. He felt her. Her attention, her perception, and even her desire.
He saw that all in her eyes and face when he offered her his arm. He felt her self-possession as they walked calmly toward his phaeton. And when he turned her around to lift her onto the seat, he felt her body tremble and saw her tongue dart out to wet her lips. That was desire, he thought. And it matched his own.
He set her on the seat but did not release her. “I don’t like the idea of introducing you to other men. I don’t like where this might lead.”