Earl of Scandal (London Lords) by Mary Gillgannon Page B

Christian remained by the punch bowl, nursing his brandy.
    The arrival of the London crowd was making him decidedly edgy. Although he had encouraged this gathering, he now wondered at the soundness of the idea. Did he really want to be faced with these reminders of his past, especially with Merissa Cassell in attendance?
    His uneasiness deepened as a statuesque blonde entered a step or two behind the Chesters. “Lady Diana Fortescue,” the butler announced. Christian saw Devon hesitate a second, then move to greet the new arrival.
    As he leaned down to kiss the lady’s hand, she moved very close and whispered something in Devon’s ear. He straightened so quickly, Christian almost laughed aloud. Lady Diana was up to her old tricks. Did she really imagine that she could seduce happily married Devon?
    Christian’s laughter died on his lips as Diana spied him across the room. She approached slowly, allowing him to take in the full impact of her extremely tight, very low-cut gown. Christian felt a chill down his spine. Good heavens, he was Diana’s target!
    “My lord,” Diana gushed, “what a surprise to find you here. I hardly imagined to find someone like you at a quaint country party.”
    “You know Devon and I are good friends. I’m simply visiting for a time.”
    Diana’s delicate brows arched upward. “It’s not even hunting season. I cannot imagine what you’ve been doing with yourself” She leaned forward, offering Christian an eyeful of her décolletage. “I must say, I find the Northrups frightfully boring. I would never have consented to come if I hadn’t known you would be here.”
    “Given your attitude, I’m surprised they invited you,” Christian said dryly.
    Diana moved even closer, brushing her breasts against Christian’s arm. He could swear he felt one of her nipples through his coat sleeve, so thin was her gown. “In truth, they didn’t invite me. I simply came along with Lord and Lady Chester. I knew that Devon was much too well-bred to throw me out, even if he doesn’t want me here.”
    “His wife may have less restraint,” Christian warned. For all her refined demeanor, Caroline
    Langley had a passionate streak, particularly regarding her husband. He could well imagine her coldly ordering Diana to leave.
    “Pooh, she won’t do anything. As long as she knows I’m not after her husband, she won’t have the nerve to make a scene. She’s merely a merchant’s daughter after all. She knows not to offend her betters.”
    Christian raised his brows at this comment, but said nothing. Diana Fortescue was a force to be reckoned with in the ton. In truth, very few people were willing to scorn her to her face.
    Diana surveyed the room with a bored expression and then said, “I can tell it’s going to be a frightfully dull evening.” She regarded him with slitted cat eyes. “Why don’t you and I slip away and find some other means of entertaining ourselves?”
    “The party’s scarcely begun, Diana. It would be most improper.”
    “Exactly.”
    She laid a milk-white, bejeweled hand on his chest, and slowly trailed it downward. Christian caught her wrist as her teasing fingers reached the buttons of his light blue pantaloons. “You may not care whom you shock, but Devon’s a friend, and his opinion matters to me.”
    Diana pulled her hand away. “Very well, but I shall expect you to make it up to me later. I would not have come if I had not heard some deliciously naughty tales regarding you and another lady.” She leaned over and gave his ear a little nip, then whispered, “Honoria sends her best.”
    Diana sashayed off, laughing softly, and Christian breathed a sigh of relief. Thank heavens the Cassell sisters had not arrived while Diana was fondling him. In truth, he found her behavior most distasteful. He really had no desire to go to bed with someone who acted so crudely!
    The thought surprised him. When had he become so fastidious about his bedpartners?
    When you met Merissa