The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(261)

"Thank you," Blake said. "We'll both keep that in mind."



They heard a tiny tinkling sound and Philip started and dug into his fob pocket. "It's nearly midnight. I set my watch forward a bit to give me warning. Come have some champagne."



He gave them each a charged glass, and raised it. "To the New Year, and new beginnings."



Blake and Arabella echoed his toast. They clinked glasses, and then the churchbells all over London began to ring.



Philip said, "Well, Blake, if you won't kiss her for auld lang syne, I will." He took her hand and kissed it.



"I shall of course," Blake said warmly. "One for me, one for your brother," he said, saluting her hand twice, "and one each for Christmas, for I was most remiss in keeping my promise to your brother that I would kiss you for the holidays."



Philip then bowed and kissed her hand again. "And now, I shall say good night. Your friend is looking daggers in this direction and will be descending upon us like a fury in a moment. So nice to see you both. Don't worry, I shall see that she leaves safely."



Leonore, her color high, was making a beeline for Blake when Philip bowed and offered her his arm. She looked surprised, but smiled, and after a few moments' conversation, they left.



Both noticed that instead of going to the left back into the ballroom, they headed right toward the cloakrooms and the front door.



"Well, what do you suppose all that was about?" Arabella asked in wonder.



He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck as he said, "I won't lie to you. Leonore is, well, was my er, friend whom I told you about. We had words, I'm afraid, and she was quite angry. I'm very grateful to Philip for taking her home."



"I see. Thank you for confiding in me," she said quietly, trying to subdue the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She knew she had no right to be angry. The woman and Blake went back many years. Auld lang syne.



"I'm just glad I got to you in time, before Roger…"



"That was Philip again," she guessed.



Blake nodded. "Yes. He's a smart chap in many ways."



"I don't think he's such a rake," she observed, before draining her glass of champagne to fortify herself.



"As we have discovered to our cost, one cannot always believe everything one hears, one way or the other."



They both blushed and looked away for a moment.



Arabella said after a time, "It's past midnight now. I think we have done our duty. Would you care to go home?"



"Indeed I would. It's been pleasant dancing with you and seeing some old friends, some, not all," he hastened to add, "but I think we have both had enough excitement for the evening."



"Yes, certainly," Arabella agreed readily.



Several men now began to flock in looking for Arabella.



Blake took her arm before she changed her mind. He fetched her pelisse and his evening cloak. They found their carriage outside and he helped her in, his hand warm on her arm and back as he seated her safely. They travelled home in the coach in relative silence, Blake asking only as they neared the house, "How did you enjoy your triumph?"



"Did you think that was one?" she asked in surprise.



"Oh, undoubtedly. You will have all of London abuzz with tales of your beauty and wit. Mark my words, the invitations will be coming in thick and fast as snow in winter. Mrs. Evans your new chaperone will have her work cut out for her."



"What of you?"



He cleared his throat. "What do you mean?"



"You've had a couple of conquests tonight yourself."



His brows drew downwards. "You must think to make a mockery of me."



"Not at all. I just wonder at the fact that Leonore was the only one almost making a scene." She stared at him levelly. "But what I really wonder at is a man as attractive and eligible as you not having been wed and starting a family of your own years ago."



"Well, I was engaged," he admitted with a sigh. "Rosalie Crane Stanton. You'll be hearing the name a great deal about Town these days. She's just been separated from the man she threw me over for less than week before we were to be wed."



"Oh my, I am sorry. I had no idea."



"No reason that you should. But I am telling you now so you will know what kind of man you have as your guardian."



"I think I already do, but go on, tellme. What did you do after she broke it off?"



He said tightly, "I was on my own and bitter for about two years, and worked like a demon. I threw myself into establishing my practice. The war started, and I was pretty much in the thick of it right the way through. I returned last spring when Napoleon abdicted. Leonore was the only constant in my life then, for good or ill.