Rebel Marquess Read Online Free PDF Page B

truth was that the moment she realized whose body she was pressed against, she retrieved the image of that body naked and damp from a bath.
    She only barely got her feet back under her when Lord Rutherford lengthened his arms and released her. She was lucky she didn’t take another spill from the force with which he set her away from him.
    “Oh, my lord,” Lady Terribury exclaimed with exaggerated astonishment, “how noble of you to save my dear Elizabeth from a wretched tumble.”
    Eliza allowed herself only a fleeting glimpse at the marquess, but a tiny glance was all she needed to note that his stern countenance was formed into an expression of stoic indifference.
    “Miss Terribury, I hope you are all right.” Their host, the Earl of Blackbourne stepped forward from Rutherford’s side and smoothly released the marquess from having to reply.
    Eliza nodded and pressed her palm to her abdomen to still the fluttering that hadn’t completely dissipated though the marquess no longer held her. “I am quite all right. Thank you, my lord.”
    Suspecting the marquess would not accept a direct thank you, she intentionally uttered the words of gratitude so they could be applied to either the marquess for catching her or the earl for his concern.
    “You are very kind, my lord,” Lady Terribury added effusively, nodding her head and sending her peacock feathers into an elaborate dance. “I do not believe my daughter has yet had the pleasure of being introduced to Lord Rutherford.”
    Eliza cringed at her mother’s lack of delicacy, but Lord Blackbourne smiled, not appearing the least bit put out by her mother’s forward manner.
    “By all means, allow me the honor. Lord Rutherford, may I introduce Miss Terribury.”
    Eliza curtsied as was expected, voiced the appropriate words, “A pleasure to meet you, my lord,” and wondered if anyone else noticed that the marquess did not bother to say anything. Then again, perhaps such rudeness was typical of him.
    The clear strains of a waltz drifted over the chatter of the talking guests.
    Blackbourne lifted his gaze to scan the crowd. “It seems the musicians are ready to begin. I apologize for rushing off, but I must find my wife to start the dancing before she manages to find someplace to hide. If you will excuse me.”
    He was gone before anyone had a chance to reply and suddenly it was just Eliza, her mother and Lord Rutherford facing each other in silence.
    Rutherford looked as though he wanted to chase after Blackbourne and strangle him. Eliza swallowed hard to keep a giggle at bay. Poor man, snared by her mother and abandoned by his friend.
    “What a pleasant surprise to run into you here at Silverly, my lord,” Lady Terribury declared as an uncomfortable tension fell around the trio.
    Unfortunately, the marquess had chosen the exact same moment to break his silence.
    “Would you join me in a dance, Miss Terribury?”
    Though their voices overlapped, Rutherford’s were the only words anyone took note of.
    Eliza glanced up at him in stunned astonishment, unable to imagine what on earth had prompted such an invitation. And when she looked back to her mother, she practically lost her grip on her composure.
    Lady Terribury gaped at the marquess with her mouth hanging open in shock. “Of course, she will,” she stammered, finding her voice much quicker than Eliza would have expected. “Go on, Lizzie.”
    Eliza would have loved to refuse, but even if she could come up with a good excuse, one did not simply reject an offer to dance when it came from the Marquess of Rutherford. Even when it was obvious he took no pleasure in the invitation.
    It took her a while to realize that though her mother had already voiced her agreement, all that was needed really, the marquess was awaiting Eliza’s reply. “I would be honored,” she muttered as she lifted her gloved hand to rest it on his arm.
    He led her onto the dance floor and they took their positions amongst others already