Pride and Fire by Jomarie Degioia Page B

and nodded toward Michelle. “I am certain you’re all well-acquainted with Lady Michelle Thomas.”
    “Ah, yes,” another of the men put in, taking Michelle’s hand in his. “This lovely lady has long been admired among the ton .”
    Michelle smiled shyly as the man placed a kiss on her hand. She gently pulled out of the man’s grasp to reach for Paul.
    “Have we heard correctly, Leed?” the first man asked. “Has this beautiful creature consented to be your bride?”
    Michelle blushed at all the attention, her hand now resting firmly in the crook of Paul’s elbow. She stood beside him as he accepted their congratulations with a broad smile.
    “Leed,” a familiar voice called. “There you are!”
    Lord Chester joined the group of well-wishers.
    “Good evening, Chester,” Paul said with a smile.
    Chester bowed to Michelle and turned back to Paul. “Your sisters have been driving me quite mad.”
    “Oh?” Paul asked. “Where—?”
    “Paul!” Catherine squealed from where she stood across the room. She hurried over to the couple, her blue eyes sparkling. “Oh, Paul!” she gushed. “Lady Michelle!”
    Michelle was enveloped in the girl’s arms. She returned Catherine’s embrace, accepting her kisses on her cheek. Elizabeth soon joined them, her brown curls bouncing as she jumped up and down. “A sister! Oh, we never thought Paul would ever marry!”
    “That’s quite enough for the moment, I daresay,” Paul said at last.
    “All right, dear brother,” Catherine said.
    “Oh, Lady Michelle,” Elizabeth began with a smile, “when father told us the good news this morning, you could have knocked us over with a feather.”
    “Come, sister,” Catherine said. “This gossip is too sweet not to share!”
    The girls expressed their happy surprise again, finally leaving the couple in relative peace.
    Paul led Michelle over to the row of chairs set up away from the orchestra and bade her to sit. “Would you like a bit of refreshment, love?”
    “Love.” She still gave a little thrill when he called her by the endearment. “Yes, thank you.”
    She watched him as he crossed the room, admiring the dashing figure he cut in his formal wear. She’d touched that fit body last night, had sensed the power beneath those fine clothes.
    Movement caught her attention and she turned to the man now standing before her. She recognized him as the man she’d spoken with at a previous bash, the lanky gentleman with the unfortunate stutter.
    “L-lady Michelle,” he began. “S-so good to see you here.”
    “Hello, Lord Burns,” she said with a smile.
    “Is it t-true?” he asked, sitting down beside her. “Have you b-been plucked from the m-marriage market?”
    Michelle frowned at his statement even as she recognized the truth in it. She managed a smile, keeping her opinion to herself. “I don’t know if one can—”
    “You know, m-my dear,” the man cut in, trailing his finger over her arm. “Now that you’re s-spoken for, perhaps we c-can come to a l-little arrangement.”
    Her eyes widened, a scathing retort bubbling to find its way out. The man misinterpreted her shock for interest and leaned closer.
    “It’s rumored the viscount is a b-bit strapped for funds,” he whispered. “I c-can keep you in l-luxuries, Michelle.”
    She bristled at the man’s insinuations. How dare he say such things! She opened her mouth to give voice to what precisely she thought of his proposal when Paul rejoined her, two glasses of punch in his hands. He glared at the man.
    “Burns,” he said, his voice a low rumble.
    Lord Burns stood then, a false smile on his thin face. “L-leed. I was merely giving m-my regards to your lovely bride-to-be. And c-congratulations to you, of course.”
    Paul’s eyes narrowed. “Thank you.”
    “I do hope you will give adequate attention to the other draws on your time.”
    Paul schooled his expression as he gave a curt nod to the gentleman, making his intent quite clear. With a