Lord and Master by Rosemary Stevens Page A

this earth.
    Anthony looked down at the pink curve of her lips. He had a sudden urge to know their taste. He stiffened his shoulders. This would not do. He had already determined Miss Kendall was not a candidate for his countess. “How goes your plot with Lord Guy?”
    The smile faded from Daphne’s lips. There was a definite note of censure in the earl’s voice. She raised her chin. “My lord, I get the impression I do not have your approval in my efforts to help my companion.”
    The earl affected an air of boredom. “On the contrary, Miss Kendall, I neither approve nor disapprove of your actions where Lord Guy is concerned, since they do not pertain to me.”
    Daphne felt her cheeks grow hot. “How true. I do not seek your approval anyway,” she lied. “But just so you know, Lord Guy is going to clear Miss Shelby’s name of a crime she did not commit.”
    Lord Ravenswood raised a brow. “A crime? Are you and Lord Guy taking on a task best left to the Bow Street Runners?”
    “You would have me allow Miss Shelby to be subjected to the questioning of those rough men?” Daphne asked, her voice tight.
    Ignoring the question, Anthony asked one of his own. “Just what is this misdeed Miss Shelby is accused of?”
    Daphne was rattled by his cool demeanor. “It would not be proper of me to discuss it with you. I assure you, though, I am intelligent enough to handle the situation without any help at all.”
    “Of that, Miss Kendall, I am more than confident,” the earl stated dryly.
    Daphne frowned. What did he mean by that cryptic remark? But she had no time to explore the meaning as the music died away and the earl bowed before her.
    “Ah, here is your next partner. Beyond a doubt, you have been in demand this evening, Miss Kendall. But then, with your beauty it could be no other way.”
    Daphne stared at him. One moment it seemed he had thrown her a veiled insult, and then he was complimenting her.
    His gaze held hers for an intense moment. Sir Tredair grew impatient. “I say, Miss Kendall, the reel is about to begin ...” He held out his arm to her expectantly.
    Daphne accepted the poet’s arm. “Good evening, Lord Ravenswood,” she said dismissively.
    “Until tomorrow. I shall call on you at three of the clock.”
    The earl returned to Miss Blenkinsop’s side and claimed her hand for a second dance. Fans raised, and whispering about the couple pervaded the room. Could it be that mouse-like Miss Blenkinsop had stolen a march on all the other hopefuls?
    Daphne mechanically performed the steps of the reel. Her spirits were low, and she was angry at herself for allowing the earl to affect her this way.
    His behavior was a mystery to her. But then, the gentlemen often puzzled her with their long, appraising looks and pretty speeches, which never amounted to anything more.
    What was no mystery, she reflected grimly, was that Lord Ravenswood was making his preference for Miss Blenkinsop clear to all.
     

Chapter Five
     
    “Grraow!” Mihos growled angrily.
    “James,” Daphne said, a touch of exasperation in her voice, “Perhaps it might be best to move the dogs’ bed to the kitchen.”
    James chuckled and limped across the drawing room to obey his mistress. “Yes, miss. I never seen no cat what got along with dogs in my life. Don’t reckon that striped devil will be any different.”
    Daphne rested a restraining hand on Mihos, who lay on his side on the sofa. He had been awake and grumpy since early that morning. He was really too weak to try to stand on his own and took severe exception to the bulky bandage wrapped around his hind leg, reaching back to bite at it angrily every few minutes.
    Matters had worsened when Daphne moved the cat from her bedchamber, where he had slept the night before, to the drawing room. Mihos had raised his nose at once and smelled the sheet of flannel in the corner. He had not been pleased at the canine fragrance exuding from the cloth.
    Now James folded the material and