The Untamed Earl(50)
The other ladies giggled more.
“Never mind.” Owen slid his hand into his pocket. “About the dance. Is there anything I can do to change your—?” Alex laughed at something Berkeley said, loud enough for Owen to hear, making him lose his train of thought. Then Berkeley offered Alex his arm and they headed back to the dance floor. Two dances with the same man in a row? Had Owen taught her nothing?
“What was that, my lord?” Lavinia’s face registered her pique at Owen’s sudden lack of full-blown attention.
“Excuse me a moment, Lady Lavinia.” Owen didn’t wait for an answer. Instead he stalked off to the dance floor, dodged the couples flying around him, and tapped Berkeley on the shoulder. “May I cut in?”
Berkeley, being Berkeley and the consummate gentleman, hesitated only a moment before turning his attention to Alex. “Do you mind, Lady Alexandra?”
Alex shook her head. “No. It’s fine.”
Berkeley gave Owen a sideways glance as he bowed to Alex and took his leave. Owen glared back. Then he spun Alex into his arms and resumed the dance.
“That was unexpected,” Alex murmured once they’d found their pace. “Why did you do it?”
“The truth is I don’t know why,” Owen replied.
“My, but you truly know how to flatter a young lady, don’t you?”
His lips quirked in a grin. “Why, Lady Alexandra, is that sarcasm?”
“Indeed,” she replied, grinning back at him. “I saw you speaking to Lavinia.”
“Yes, it was nearly as diverting as speaking to a garden snake.”
Alex bit her lip to keep from laughing. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I take that back. A garden snake is no doubt better company.”
“Rejected you again, did she?”
“Frankly, I didn’t even give her the chance to reject me again. I came to dance with you instead. You’re infinitely better company.”
Alex arched one dark brow. “I would take that as a compliment, my lord, if you hadn’t just said Lavinia’s company was less interesting than that of a garden snake.”
“I enjoy dancing with you, Alex.”
She blushed prettily and gazed over his shoulder. “Thank you … I think.”
“I meant it as a compliment.”
“Then thank you.”
She was still looking over his shoulder. Damn it. Was she searching for Berkeley? “Did you enjoy your dance with the viscount?”
“Immensely.”
“Then you were sorry to see me cut in?” Owen hated the grumbly quality of his voice.
“I didn’t say that. I thought perhaps you might need to ask me something about Lavinia.”
“You’re right about one thing: I do want to speak with you, Alex. Alone.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“Will you come outside with me?” Owen asked.
Alex took a deep but shaky breath. She had spent the last hour talking to and dancing with the extremely courteous and kind Lord Berkeley. If ever two men were different, they were Lord Christian Berkeley and Lord Owen Monroe. Oh so different. Where Owen was brash and arrogant, Lord Berkeley was quiet and unassuming. Where Owen was always ready for a drink and a hand of cards, Lord Berkeley had announced his distaste for gambling, and while he’d had a glass of champagne, she barely saw him take two sips of it. Alex had thanked him so profusely for his help that the viscount had finally chuckled and said, “Think nothing of it. I’m always happy to help Lucy Hunt execute her impractical plots.” It was a convenient thing that the man appeared to have a good sense of humor, at least. Although Alex already knew Lucy well enough to know that a certain gameness was a necessity if one wished to remain in her inner circle for any significant length of time.
Alex had tried to explain herself to Lord Berkeley. “I hope you don’t think ill of me, attempting to gain Lord Owen’s attention in this manner, it’s just that—”
Lord Berkeley had held up a hand and shook his head. “No need to explain. We all do foolish things when we fancy someone. Remind me to tell you the story about how I once asked Claringdon to write love letters to Lucy for me.”
Alex’s mouth had formed a wide O. “You? Wrote love letters to Lucy Hunt?”
“No,” Lord Berkeley replied, shaking his head and chuckling. “I asked her future husband to do it for me. Of course, I didn’t know at the time that the two had an affinity for one another.” He laughed again. “It was all rather outrageous upon reflection. But then again, Lucy is known for her outrageousness. It’s what makes her so endearing.”
Alex had studied the viscount carefully. He was tall and blond and broad-shouldered with crystal blue eyes and a ready smile. He was thoughtful, helpful, and a bit shy, which made him even more appealing. According to Lucy, he also had an unfortunate habit of stuttering when in the presence of a female whom he particularly fancied. He hadn’t stuttered once in Alex’s presence. Apparently, he was no more enamored of her than she was of him, Alex thought with a wry smile. Though she couldn’t help but think that Lord Christian Berkeley would make some very lucky lady a fine husband one day.