Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

LADY RUSHWORTH'S BALL

T wo weeks later

Two weeks was too long, Chauncy decided as he turned to see Lady Anna Boothe smiling at him from across the room.

Of course, the only reason the Boothes had been invited was because of Sir Edward's skill with a pencil or charcoal. At least, that's what he told himself.

But how delightful that his wife provided such additional pleasure to their visit.

A cluster of newly arrived guests, and powdered footmen bringing in their trunks, criss-crossed the lobby, their chatter mingling with the string quartet tuning up in the distant ballroom, ready for this evening's event.

As he watched Anna and her husband divest themselves of their cloaks, Chauncy congratulated himself on his timing. Five minutes before, he'd been in the tower room with Sir Simeon, orchestrating a plan of action for the several scenarios they believed might play out tonight.

Anna Boothe provided the welcome distraction he needed. Not that he hadn't been distracted by thoughts of her for the past two weeks, when he really had more important matters with which to concern himself.

The intelligence he'd received from London weighed heavily on Chauncy.

Could the Prince Regent really be at risk from the three unlikely suspects named?

Chauncy couldn't see how any of these men, known vaguely to him, might pose a threat, but he was duty bound to follow instructions: Keep the three men under surveillance the entire evening, and have Boothe draw their likenesses.

It was now a pleasure to put aside weighty concerns and say, with complete sincerity, "Lady Boothe, you are a vision in Pomona green," just as her husband left her side.

Anna's smile was like a breath of sunshine as she replied, "It's not often I go about in society. Edward was most gratified to receive an invitation to Lady Rushworth's ball. It was…unexpected."

"I made sure of it." Chauncy felt himself grinning like a schoolboy. Let her think that he was entirely motivated by wishing for a repeat of the pleasures he'd experienced when she'd come to his bed two weeks ago. Since then, he'd been unable to get her out of his mind.

He brought her hand to his lips, surprising both himself, and clearly Anna, as he said, "Lady Rushworth wishes to sit for her likeness in her ballgown just before the ball, for of course your husband's speed in executing his skill is prodigious. I was mightily impressed with the likeness he produced of me… Anna." He lowered his voice so the familiarity would not be remarked upon. Anna . He would soon be calling her that, beneath the sheets, and he couldn't wait.

"Indeed?" Anna's raised eyebrow indicated that she understood the subtext. For when Edward was occupied with drawing Lady Rushworth, Anna would be free to indulge in an afternoon of sensual delights with Chauncy.

Desire radiated through him. It dispelled the nervousness with which he had approached tonight.

It could all go so horribly wrong.

Or it could pass off without incident.

In the meantime, a delightful hour of sensual delights would be just the tonic Chauncy needed to shore up his reserves before it was time to square his shoulders and face the night ahead.

Being responsible for the security of the Prince Regent was weighty indeed.