Rose Lerner - In for a Penny

In for a Penny

Rose Lerner

LEISURE BOOKS NEW YORK CITY

To my mother.

I wrote this book for you.

I wish you could have read it.

He raised his head. Is something wrong?

She swallowed, opening her eyes. His blue eyes were fixed anxiously on her. What had she done? Why wasnt he touching her anymore? Why would something be wrong?

Well, did that feel good, when I did that?

She flushed. Yes.

Its just youre being awfully still and quiet.

Arent I supposed to be?

He sat up. Why on earth would you be supposed to be?

II dont know, she said, mortified. I didnt want to give you a disgust of me. Ladies dont give in to their base urges.

They dont?

Despite her embarrassment, she wanted to laugh at his confounded expression. I dont know. Do they?

I dont know either. Ive never done this with a lady before. Nev thought for a moment. Did you feel like moving, or making any noise?

Penelope held herself very still. Wellyes.

He sighed in relief. Id really rather you did then. It lets me know Im doing it right. Otherwise I start to worry. He started over

Table of Contents

June, 1819

Thirkell, you know what happened the last time we went to one of the Ambersleighs dos. Lord Nevinstoke winced at the sound of a badly tuned piano from inside the town house. How had he let Thirkell talk him into this? Cant we go to Amys instead? Shes laid in some lovely French brandy, just for us.

Thirkell rolled his eyes and shoved Nev up the steps. After youve danced with my cousin, lent her some countenance, then we can go to Amys and get as drunk as you like.

But, Thirkell, Percy said, I dont think we have any countenance to lend Harriet. Were disreputable, remember? And as Nev has so accurately reminded us, the last time we attended one of Lady Ambersleighs little gatherings, the orchestra fled in hysterics.

Well, if she wouldnt hire such bloody incompetent musicians, Nev grumbled, I wouldnt have had to

Im sure shes forgotten about that by now! Besides, Nev, your fathers an earl, and Percy here is Thirkell broke off.

Yes? Percy inquired poisonously. What am I?

A very good dancer? Nev suggested.

Thirkell shot him a grateful look. Exactly what I was going to say. And were all bachelors. Lady Ambersleigh will be delighted.

Lady Ambersleigh did not look delighted when the three young men were announced. Nev tried to avoid the eye of a young matron on whose new settee he had accidentally upended a punch bowl the month before, and that of an earl from whose son Percy had won almost two hundred pounds at piquet the week before, and that of a lady whomoh, hell, he tried not to meet anyones eye.

There. Thirkell pointed to a mousy girl in the corner. Thats my cousin Harriet. Come on, Ill introduce you.

A few minutes later, Thirkell was dancing with his cousin, and Percy and Nev had engaged her for the following two sets.

What say we investigate the buffet table? Nev asked Percy. I think I might have seen blackberry tarts.

You didnt. Where would anyone get blackberries this early in the summer? Oh, look, its Louisa.

The two young men were standing next to a line of wallflowers. Nevs sister Louisa was not one of those unfortunate girls. Despite her undistinguished brown hair and blue eyes, so similar to his own coloring, she was laughing and flirting with six gentlemen at once on the other side of the room.

Nev was struck by a sudden troubling recollection. Oh, seven hells! My mother isnt here, is she? I was supposed to dine in Berkeley Square tonight.

I dont see her anywhere, Percy said, and abandoned his friend to his own devices. Nev was unsurprised to see him leading Louisa out onto the floor a minute or two later. After all, none of the other gentlemen present had made Louisa her first wooden sword. Besides, Louisa was a minx; it was like her to use an old friend to make her beaux jealous.

A violin screeched painfully. Behind him, someone groaned. Nev turned. A slender, dark-haired young lady tricked out in orange silk was grimacing and whispering in an older ladys ear.

He liked orange, he liked slender girls, and he liked people who disliked bad music. Of course, it was improper to approach her without an introduction; and the older lady, swathed in appallingly purple satin, looked a bit of a mushroom. Nev didnt let that stop him. Unused to worrying overmuch about the niceties at the best of times, the bottle of claret he had shared with his friends before coming to the ball made him even less worried now.

Good evening, he said to the girl. Its awful, isnt it? I wont ask you to dance to this, but perhaps you might take a turn about the room with me? The hors doeuvres looked lovely.

Dark eyebrows arched. Excuse me, sir, but I dont believe we have been properly introduced.

How rude of me. I ought to have said straight off. Nathaniel Arthur Delaval Ambrey, Viscount Nevinstoke, at your service. He seized the hand that was not resting on her mamas waist and bowed over it with a flourish that usually made girls giggle.

She didnt giggle, but a corner of her mouth quirked up. I said properly introduced.

Oh, Penny, dont be so stuffy, her mama said. He was taken aback for a moment by her accent; it was pure Cockney.

It must have shown on his face, because Penny stiffened. Im not being stuffy, Mama. Im merely trying to avoid complete impropriety. Im sorry, my lord, but Im afraid I must decline your offer.

Dont listen to er, my lord. Im Mrs. Brown, and this is my daughter, Miss Brown. Were very pleased to make your acquaintance, Im sure.

Mama! Miss Brown hissed.

Mrs. Browns eyes twinkled. Bring me some lobster salad when you come back, love.

Miss Browns jaw set, but she put one kid-gloved hand on Nevs arm. Well, my lord, shall we walk?

Nev smiled.

They walked for a minute or two without speaking. Nev was surprised when Miss Brown broke the silence. You wouldnt, by any chance, be the same Lord Nevinstoke who broke into Almacks at midnight last month?

The very same. I cant take all the credit, thoughPercy and Thirkell were with me. And it was Percys idea to wear trousers. Were you there?

Her mouth twisted. I have not received vouchers.

Its overrated. Your fathers a Cit, I suppose.

She didnt answer.

Nev repeated the last few sentences in his head and panicked a little. Oh, the devilI mean, the deuceI mean He collected himself. Im awfully sorry, I really shouldnt have said that. Ive had a bit of claret, you know. Please forgive me.

For the first time, she smiled at him. Its all right. I know its obvious Im not old money.

Doesnt matter. I think its terribly clever, you know, making money. My father only knows how to spend it. He paused, considering. And gamble with it, of course.

Miss Brown didnt answer, but she took his arm a little more tightly.

Nev decided to be daring, and covered her hand with his. She looked at him and quirked a brow, but she didnt take her hand away. It was small and warm under his, and she was really very pretty, with fine dark eyes, a straight little nose, and a girlish mouth, thin and expressive. Her complexion, framed by straight dark hair, was almost translucent. He suspected she would freckle in the sun.

Would you like to step out on the terrace? he asked hopefully.

She laughed outright. I hope Im not such a green girl as that. But I will allow you to select some hors doeuvres for me.

A task! My lady has set me a task! But first I beg a token of your favor.

Im afraid my red sleeve embroidered with great pearls is pinned to my other evening gown, my lord, she said with ironic courtesy.