finished
tying the bow, but she shook her head and tried again. Geoffrey
clenched his teeth as her fingers brushed against his leg causing
jolts of pleasure. Ignoring the impulse to pull her into his arms,
he was trying to memorise the sight of her bent over his knee when
the footman came in with the silver tray holding another card.
“Lady Sophia Grayson wishes to know if you
are receiving Madam.”
Geoffrey silently cursed his sister to hell
as the angel briefly turned away from his garter to glance at the
footman. “Yes of course Jenkins; please bring us a few more
scones.”
“ Very good
Madam.”
She returned to retying his garter for the
second time, but her hands were shaking. Was he making her nervous
or was she affected by his nearness? It was silly to believe the
latter. It was more likely she was coming down with the flu.
“Forgive me my Lord; I’m all thumbs today.” She was retying the bow
a the third time when Lady Sophia sailed in and froze with
horror.
“Mrs Spencer…what are you doing?”
“Tying a garter…”
“Around the devil’s leg?”
“Your brother is not the Devil.” Geoffrey’s
growing anger eased at the kind rebuke. “There! I think that bow
will remain tied. I wouldn’t want you to lose your stocking half
way home; people would laugh at you and it would be all my fault.”
Geoffrey bit his tongue as the angel smiled at him as she struggled
to her feet. He was determined not to lose his temper in front of
the angel. He didn’t want her to know that he really was a
heartless fiend. “Will you eat a scone Lady Sophia?”
“I need to speak with you in private.” Lady
Sophia scowled at her brother making it clear she wanted him to
leave.
“Are you sure you can’t speak in front of
your brother?” Mrs Spencer’s words allowed Geoffrey to return his
sister’s contempt with a triumphant smirk.
“The Duchess said Lyndhurst asked about you
last night. He wanted to know where you lived and if you had a
chaperone, but she refused to tell him. I came to warn you that he
intends to ruin you. Look at him; he doesn’t resemble a corpse
because he’s attended too many funerals. The man is depraved, a
worthless rake-hell who hasn’t a decent bone in his dead looking
body.” Geoffrey clenched his fists in despair as he stood to take
his leave. The angel wouldn’t want anything to do with him after
hearing a list his sins. He knew he didn’t deserve a few crumbs of
happiness, but he needed them. He needed the kind woman in his arms
smiling at him.
“Lady Sophia, your brother may not be a
saint, but…”
“List the most vile things one man can do to
another human being and he’ll have done them all. Look at him! He
doesn’t dare deny it.” Geoffrey could feel the angel’s eyes turn to
look at him, but he could only stare at his sister with hatred for
ruining his small taste of heaven. “He wouldn’t want to deny it.
Who would he be if he wasn’t The Devil’s Corpse? The man couldn’t
perform the smallest act of kindness without making it sordid. How
could you even consider receiving him? Do you wish to be ruined?
Your servants will be sure to spread the word that the good Widow
Spencer received Him and you’ll share his fate. Your reputation as
a virtuous woman is as good as damned. That’s a high price. I never
thought you one of those women who’d do anything to be a
Duchess.”
Geoffrey audibly sucked in his breath as his
temper boiled over, “Mrs Spencer was being kind you hateful
little…” He was abruptly silenced by a gentle hand on his arm.
“I find it comforting to know the entire
Grayson family is concerned for my reputation, however, I’ve done
nothing to be ashamed of. If I find your brother’s company
pleasant, don’t you think that might mean he isn’t as wicked or
evil as people think him? Can’t we give him a chance to prove he’s
something more than his past mistakes?”
“Your tolerance will be your downfall.
Yvette Hines, Monique Lamont