"You can get the hell out of England. And she

won't notice this." 257

The blow to Warren's stomach was too unexpected and quick to block. It landed solid, feeling a bit as if James had ripped his guts out. It left him doubled over, gasping for breath.

He didn't even notice the Malorys' departure.

Outside the billiards room, Anthony nudged his brother. "Comes to mind that the Yank's a lot bigger and more solid than Eden ever was. How it is you didn't kill that young puppy with blows like that?"

"Because I went easy on old Nick. It was merely a matter of principle, that. And at the time, I didn't know he had designs on one of our nieces."

"Ah, that explains why your American in-law ain't going to be so lucky."

"Quite so," James said before he frowned thoughtfully. "I still say the dear girl was pulling our collective leg. She can't really want that bounder. It defies reason. And to admit it? Especially to him?"

"Know what you mean. In our day, females

kept a man guessing. They didn't spill their guts so you knew exactly where they stood."

"And just how long's it been since you retired from availability?" James asked dryly. "They still don't, you ass. Which doesn't explain why Amy did."

"She certainly didn't inherit that boldness from Eddie boy. Blackmail, and without batting an eye. And the little chit meant it."

"Never mind that," James replied. "Did the Yank seem sincere in his assurances?"

Anthony chuckled. "He seemed sincere in his effort to annoy you."

"You're making that effort. He was no more than his usual charming self."

"Then we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

Chapter 24

Warren played cards with Clinton and two Englishmen the rest of the evening. He didn't quite understand the game, which was his excuse for losing two hundred pounds, rather than his lack of attention. To think he had come here tonight to find himself a mistress. But once Amy had arrived, 259 he hadn't noticed any other woman.

She was still out there dancing with her dozens of admirers. And they'd be calling on her now. His own sister had insisted on it. He could only hope that one of them would catch her eye and turn her pursuit in a new direction.

"Not again, Yank," the man to Warren's left complained--not for the first time.

Warren looked down at the cards crumpled in his hand--again. "Sorry," he said and shoved himself away from the table. To his brother, he said, "I'm going back to the hotel."

"The wisest course, considering your mood."

"Don't start on me, Clinton."

"I don't intend to. We'll see you in the morning."

They had all planned on visiting Georgina once more before they sailed in the morning, since she still wasn't ready to come down to the docks to see them off. Warren had been included in those plans; however, now he was going to beg off. Since he wasn't sailing, he could see his sister later. In fact, as soon as she was up to it, he'd come by and take her and Jacqueline on an outing. It

would be nice having them to himself, without having to worry about interruptions from others in her household. But it would be prudent to stay away from Berkeley Square otherwise.

Warren kept to the fringes of the dance floor on his way out. He didn't try to locate Amy and her bevy of smitten swains, but perhaps he should have, just to note that she wasn't there. She was waiting for him in the hallway, partially concealed behind a potted fern.

The hem of that blue gown with its matching slippers was what drew his eye. He wasn't going to stop.

She didn't give him that option, however, jumping out in front of him to block his way.

"I suppose you're extra mad at me just now?" was her opening question.

To her credit, she actually sounded a bit cautious. Which did nothing to mollify him.

"You could say that. In fact, it would be in your best interests if I never saw you again."

For some unaccountable reason, that reply got rid of her wary look and put the impish sparkle back in her cobalt eyes. "Oh, dear, how dire that sounds. Well, as long as we're owning up to these passions, you might as well know 261 that I'm still displeased with you also. You didn't have to tell them about us, Warren."

"Not us, you."

"Same thing," she said rather blithely. "I hope you know I'm never going to hear the end of it now."

"Good. Maybe they can talk some sense into you. God knows you haven't listened to me."

"They're going to insist that you're quite unsuitable, but we already knew that."

"I knew it. You've ignored it."

"'Course I have. Good sense has nothing to do with these feelings you arouse."

"Christ, don't start that again."

He set her aside. She skipped around him until she was blocking the way again.

"I wasn't finished, Warren."

"I was."

"You do realize that you've given them a chance to talk my father out of giving his approval?"

"You mean something good actually came out of tonight?" he replied.

"Don't sound so hopeful. That merely means we might have to elope."

"Do not hold your breath, Amy. But tell

me, what happened to sending you off to the country? I thought that was your main concern."

At last she didn't look quite so confident. "That's still a possibility, but you needn't worry about it. I'll just come right back."

"And be sent off again?"

"Likely, but I'll still return."

"Let's hope I've sailed by the third time."

She shook her head at him in mild disgust. "I know you're doing your best to keep me angry with you, and mind you, it's working admirably. But fortunately for you, I'll have forgiven you by the morning."

"I won't return the favor."

"Sure you will."

He finally sighed in pure exasperation. "When are you going to get it right, Amy? You should be fighting me off, not encouraging me."

"Show me where it's written."

"You know very well your behavior is shameless."

"I suppose, but I wouldn't be this bold with anyone but you. Haven't I told you that?"

She had, but he still didn't believe it. And if she wasn't pregnant ...

"You hope to snare me with a babe in the 263 belly, don't you? That's why you're so determined to get into my bed."

Good God, he could be quick on the attack. "Why does it have to be an ulterior motive? You must know how desirable you are. Why can't I just want you for yourself?"

"I'm not the least bit desirable." And he'd spentyears developing a disposition that would assure his self-appraisal.

"Ah, but I'm going to fix all that. You're going to be a pleasure to be around, as charming as Drew, as patient as Thomas. There's not much we can do for that temper of yours, except assure that it has no reason to make an appearance. So, you see, you can be as surly as you like right now, and it won't make a difference. It's how you're going to be once we're married that I'm looking forward to."

Warren was a bit in awe of her confidence. He had to shake off the feeling that she just might have some magic capable of accomplishing such wonders.

"No one can be that optimistic, Amy."

"If you could see the good in people like I can, you wouldn't doubt it."

She stepped aside to let him pass. Warren wasn't going to try to have the last word this time. She always managed to top it.

But he was no more than three feet away when she called out, "I only came tonight because I knew you'd be here. Don't stay away so long again, or now that you're alone at the Albany, I just might come to you."

The thought horrified him. Amy, with a bed near at hand? He was going to have to look into changing hotels first thing tomorrow.

"We can leave now, Uncle James," Amy said as she joined him at the refreshment table.

"Thank God," James replied, only to think about it and add, "Why so early?"

"Because Warren's departed."

James rolled his eyes and left to fetch their wraps. He would have to talk to that little minx, and on the way home was as good a time as any. And he wasn't going to let her shock him again as she had earlier, so that he couldn't get a word in edgewise. He couldn't imagine where she'd got such boldness from.

Eddie boy's children had always behaved

exemplarily--good God, he wondered 265 if Jeremy's recent influence was to blame for Amy's defection from the straight and narrow. Of course, that had to be it. Those two had been gadding about too often, and that young scamp's knack for doing the disreputable had worn off on the impressionable girl.

James was still of that opinion when the carriage arrived, and the moment the door closed behind them, he said to Amy, "Jeremy's going to answer for this, see if he don't."

Amy, of course, had no idea what he was talking about. "For what?"

"That display of unseemly boldness you treated us to tonight."

"What's he got to do with it?"

"You learned it from him, obviously."

She smiled fondly at her uncle. "Rubbish. I've always had the tendency to speak my mind. I've just refrained from doing so until now."

"You should have continued to refrain."

"Ordinarily I would, but this situation with Warren calls for frankness."

"There is no situation with that uncivilized

clod. You're going to admit it was all for show, just to save his hide, for some silly reason like feeling sorry for him. Go ahead. I'll understand perfectly. Won't even mention it again."

"I can't do that, Uncle James."

"'Course you can. Try," he said rather desperately.

Amy shook her head. "I don't know why you're taking this so hard. You won't have to live with him."

"And neither will you," James insisted. "I can't think of a single man more unsuitable--was

"He's quite suitable," she interrupted. "You just don't like him."

"That goes without saying, but has nothing to do with it." And it was time for plain facts. "Besides, he doesn't want you, m'dear. Heard him say so."

"I happen to know that isn't true."

James sat forward, his body tensed to do battle, though the culprit wasn't present. "How the devil do you know that?" he demanded.

Amy ignored the battle signs. "Never mind how I know. The point is, it's the ball and chain that comes with me that he doesn't want. But

I'm going to do everything in my power 267 to make him change his mind and want to marry me. If I fail, it can't be because you've interfered. If I fail, it has to be because he just doesn't want me. That's the only thing I'll accept. Otherwise I'll never give up trying, even if I have to follow him back to America. So don't try to stop me, Uncle James. It really won't do any good."

Being stymied like that did not go well with James's nature. Damned if you do or don't. 'Course, he could simply kill the bounder. But George wouldn't like that. Might never forgive him. Bloody hell.

"Your father won't give his permission, dear girl, you may depend upon it."

"After you talk to him, I'm sure he won't."

"Then you might as well forget him."

"No," she said firmly. "That's unfortunate, but something I was expecting."

"Blister it, Amy, the man's too bloody old for you. When you're his age, he'll be tottering about with a cane and a crooked back."

She laughed delightedly. "Come now,

Uncle, he's only eighteen years older. Eighteen years from now, do you expect to be tottering about?"

Since James was in his prime, he most certainly did not. In fact, eighteen years from now, Jack would start attracting men and he fully expected to trounce every one of them.

"All right, so he won't be tottering, but--was

"Don't harp on the age difference, please. I hear enough about it from Warren."

"So why don't you listen to your elders?"

She gave him a disgusted look for getting that in. James was rather proud of it himself. But she shot it down quickly enough.

"Age is such a minor point, and one that can't be corrected. I prefer to concentrate on the many faults Warren has that can be corrected."

"You acknowledge his faults?"

"I'm not blind."

"Then what the devil do you see in the man?"

"My future happiness," she said simply.

"Where'd you find your crystal ball?"

Amy laughed. "You might like to know that Warren said nearly the same thing."

"Good God, never say so. I do not think the

same as that bloody sod." 269

"He'd say the same thing, I'm sure."

James's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Had she just evened up the score on that crack about elders? Well, she was a Malory after all. Stood to reason she'd be quick on the comeback. He could almost feel sorry for the Yank--the devil he did!

"Very good, m'dear, but you don't really want to bandy wits with me, do you?"

She gave him an appalled look. "God forbid. You'd have me shredded to the bone in seconds."

"Quite so."