Lord and Master by Rosemary Stevens

raised a gloved hand to cover his yawn.
    In the act of doing so, he spied Miss Kendall being twirled about the room in the arms of Lord Guy. Her auburn hair shone in the candlelight.
    ’Twas a pity Lord Guy would not appreciate her beauty, being too concerned with his own. The coxcomb did know how to dance, he would give him that. He wondered how Miss Kendall’s plan to clear Miss Shelby’s name was progressing.
    Dancing with Lord Guy, Daphne was very much pleased with the way things were going. Even though the fop would never admit it was he who stole the ivory cat figurine from the duchess, he had been brought around to saying he did not think it all likely Miss Shelby had been the culprit.
    Daphne smiled at him. “Oh, Lord Guy, I am happy to hear you say that. Dear Leonie has been so troubled by the whole affair.”
    “Well,” Lord Guy said a bit uncomfortably, “my Aunt does have a way of taking an idea and running with it.”
    Daphne nodded knowingly. “I am certain the duchess would take your word if you were to express the opinion that Miss Shelby was innocent.”
    Lord Guy looked doubtful. “Best, perhaps, to let sleeping dogs lie, what?”
    Daphne looked shocked. “If only you could! But I know someone of your honor and integrity could not let an innocent woman stand accused of a crime she did not commit. No, indeed. Why, it would totally go against your nature.”
    Lord Guy puffed out his chest. “Alas, what we gentlemen suffer—gladly, mind you—in the name of honor. Yes, I shall speak to my Aunt, Miss Kendall, never fear.”
    Daphne felt a twinge of conscience as Lord Guy strolled away. She really had turned him up sweet for her own motives. But these motives were of the purest, she reminded herself, which was more than she could say for Lord Guy’s purposes.
    Her hand was claimed for every dance. She had no time to converse with Miss Shelby, who she thought appeared bored to death, sitting with the other chaperons. Daphne decided Leonie was missing Eugene’s company. The manservant must have decided to wait outside for the earl.
    At last Lord Ravenswood bowed over her hand. “Miss Shelby told me you saved the second waltz for me.”
    Daphne found herself trembling at the touch of his gloved hand and chided herself for behaving like a young miss in her first Season. “Yes, my lord.”
    The music began, and he swept her into his arms.
    If she felt shaky before, it was nothing compared to me rush of feelings coursing through her now. The pressure of the earl’s hand at her waist was light, yet her body responded as if he was using all his strength to pull her against him. She was shocked down to her soul to find herself wanting to close the distance between them.
    None of this inner struggle showed on her face, however. “You will want to know that Mihos awakened before I left home. He took a little water and fell asleep.”
    “I am relieved to hear it. He will not be too much of a burden for you, will he?’ Lord Ravenswood asked, straining to keep his gaze well above the green velvet band that framed the low cut of her dress.
    “Not at all,” Daphne assured him. It was difficult to keep her breathing steady with his face so close to hers. She noticed his eyelashes were black and heavy. “I am looking forward to seeing some of the artifacts you brought back from Egypt, my lord.”
    “I hope you will not be disappointed, Miss Kendall.” God, but her skin looked smooth. He longed to rip off his glove and touch her shoulder with his bare fingertip to see if it could possibly feel as soft as it looked.
    And the way she smelled reminded him of the flowers that grew in spring at Raven’s Hall. “I received a message from my friend, William Bullock, informing me the exhibits have been quite popular since the opening of his Egyptian Hall.”
    “I know I shall enjoy it,” Daphne assured him. She also knew they must be floating over Almack’s, as the feeling she was experiencing could not be of