Beautiful Tempest(106)

"Yes, you do."

Yes, she did, and while he might not even be in England to have received his invitation, she was hopeful that he would be, which led to this bubbling excitement she could barely contain. Which is why she wasn't listening to what her parents were saying as they sat across from her in the coach, until she heard, "She says she's not in love, but I think the arrow struck her true."

"Good God, George, don't you dare mention Cupid to me," James complained.

Jacqueline raised her brow. "Trying to get my attention, are you?"

"It worked." Georgina smiled. "But I wasn't serious. We know you refuse to fall in love this year."

"About that-"

James interrupted, "It's rude to correct your mother, so don't."

Jack squinted her eyes and scrunched her mouth at her father, but wasn't about to argue with that tone of his. She'd never imagined she would have to elope one day, but obviously that was the only way she was going to get herself married to Damon. If he asked. If he showed up to ask. He bloody well better show up.

Brandon, along with his parents, was waiting by the door to greet them, but the street was already crowded with vehicles, and the music was playing, so the ball had already begun. Judith had followed directly behind them with her husband and parents, so Jack waited for Judy and hooked her arm to her cousin's before entering. Georgina did the same thing, entering with Roslynn. Which left the three men. But Nathan, seeing James's expression, left him with his brother.


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Standing alone with James, Anthony guessed, "You're expecting something unpleasant. What?"

"Reeves is going to be here."

"He wouldn't dare."

"There's never been any doubt about his temerity. And while George assured me she invited no pirates, your minx sent off some invitations, too, and Judy is privy to all of Jack's secrets, so she might have invited him. But you're going to help me spot him before he gets anywhere near Jack."

"If I must," Anthony said drily, but after entering the ballroom with James and seeing how many couples were already on the dance floor, including Jacqueline, he added, "Did George really invite this many? Or has every gate-crasher in London come out for this?"

"The latter. How often does a Malory host an extravaganza? The ton will be rabid with curiosity to find out why we did."

"Point taken. But in this crush, we're not likely to-" Anthony began, but amended, "Well, that didn't take long a'tall. Take a gander at the terrace. Reeves might have an invitation, but he wouldn't want his name announced in a room full of Malorys. He appears to be sneaking in the back way to avoid that, but just this moment he put on his mask. Shall I toss him out?"

"Bite your tongue, that pleasure is mine."

"Well, now's your chance to catch him off guard, while he's got his eyes clapped on Jack."

A few moments later, James told Damon, "You were warned."

The punch had already been delivered. Doubled over-bloody déjà vu-Damon gasped, "God, not again. Must you always lead with your fists, Malory?"

"You were warned."

Damon didn't straighten yet, but he risked a black eye and porcelain being smashed into his cheek to peer up at James to gauge just how angry he was-and wished he hadn't. "What is the bloody point of a masque if you guess who's who? I could say you have mistaken me-"

"You're not that stupid."

"I love her."

"So you are that stupid," James said. "The anguish you've twice caused my family won't ever be forgiven. And you really were warned."

James gripped a handful of Damon's hair on the top of his head in preparation for the next blow, which would likely knock him out. The half mask fell off. The thought did cross Damon's mind that he could fight back, but that brought an image of Jack crying over her parent being hurt, so that was out of the question.

He did have one second to get out, "What if Jack loves me? Would you really deny her happiness?"

"With you, yes. This country is overflowing with eligible men, and I'll find her one m'self in a decade or two-" The pause was unexpected before he added, "Does she?" 

"I don't know," Damon was forced to admit.

"Good." James drew his fist back.

"But I'm going to find out." Damon tore himself away.

He left a damn lot of hair behind in Malory's fist, but quickly weaved his way onto the dance floor. He'd spotted Jack immediately, her domino short this time, barely covering her eyes-as if she wanted him to recognize her. He whisked her away from the fellow she was dancing with, hopefully not another Malory who might object.