An Earl by Any Other Name(21)

It was the sort of attitude Ivy never had cultivated. Whether that was because her mother had been in service, or her father was a Gypsy, a foreigner, she wasn't sure. The idea of holding herself above others was simply not possible. The silence at their part of the table was starting to draw attention. The two women were focused far too much on consuming the beef Wellington and roasted parsnips.

The food was sumptuous and seemingly endless. Ivy placed a hand on her stomach, all too aware that dessert hadn't yet been served. Her father ran a tight household, not out of a desire to deny them both of fine dinners, but merely because he didn't believe in living to excess. Fine clothes were a must, but wasting food was unheard of. As a Romani, he was raised to respect what he had and never to indulge beyond what was necessary. She respected her father all the more for clinging to the values of the life he'd left behind.

When he had first seen her the day he had picked her up from Hampton House, he had treated her like a young lady, not a child, and told her the truth. He'd never known she'd existed. After a secret and wildly passionate affair with her mother, he realized he had to make his way in the world of the Gadjie in order to be able to have a wife. By the time he'd made his fortune, he'd just learned of her mother's death but hadn't heard about the child until a month later when Leo's mother had sent him a letter. Ivy shook off the dark memories of a time that still made her heart ache and tried to focus on conversation with Mildred.

"I hear you were educated in Paris, Miss Pepperwirth. That must have been quite an enjoyable experience," she said as she nibbled on a dark chocolate truffle.

Mildred turned a caustic eye on her. "Of course." The barest hint of a cruel smile appeared. "You were not educated there?"

Ivy prayed the heat in her cheeks did not become a full blush.

"No, I was privately educated in London."

"Oh, that's a pity. Everyone can benefit from proper schooling." The way Mildred emphasized everyone came out too patronizing for Ivy to stand. She had inherited more than looks from her father. She had his quick temper and could not suffer fools.

"I agree. Everyone should have such opportunities. I have spent the last three years attending lectures at Oxford University and have sat for several examinations. I hope someday soon I will be able to obtain a degree."

Conversation at the table died and Ivy inwardly cursed herself for having made such a foolish comment. A soft, stifled chuckle to her left revealed Mr. Hadley laughing into his glass of wine.

The dowager countess came to her rescue. "Miss Leighton is quite the star pupil, or so I've heard. I'm always most excited to hear about her academic progress." And just like that, the guests were forced to murmur their agreements lest they incur her displeasure. It was expected that no one would quarrel on a subject their hostess was eagerly ready to champion. Leo leaned close, his breath stirring the fine wisps of hairs close to her ear as he spoke.

"You truly are the center of trouble, Miss Leighton. I shall have to dine with an educated suffragette like you more often."

She shivered as his hand accidentally, or so it seemed, ran the length of her right thigh.

She leaned ever so slightly toward him so she could whisper a reply. "Why would you subject yourself to such a problematic dining arrangement? Would it not be better to enjoy a cold and boring evening with a companion like Miss Pepperwirth?" She shouldn't provoke him, but damned if he didn't rile her spirits.


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Leo moved back enough that she could see his face clearly as she studied him from beneath her lashes.

"Are you jealous, Miss Leighton? We are but new acquaintances." There was a thread of insight in his gaze. She certainly didn't like the idea of her charming prince from childhood settling down with someone like Mildred, but it was not because she was jealous.

"You are!" he accused playfully. "There's a hint of emerald in your lovely brown eyes."

She bristled. "I am not jealous, merely confused that you would so quickly turn from distaste to interest where I am concerned. Surely you would have to agree, such an abrupt alteration in your behavior is a little unsettling. Furthermore," she hissed, with a quick glance about to see if she was being watched, "I believe we have moved beyond new acquaintances; otherwise, I might wonder whether you go about kissing all women you've just met."

He had the nerve to grin, and she was torn between slapping him and … kissing him.