A Spy Unmasked (Entangled Scandalous) by Tina Gabrielle Page A

Beauxbaton herself? People will undoubtedly ask her about our so-called lessons,” she pointed out.
    He dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. “It’s not a problem. She works for Wendover.”
    “Really? I would never have guessed.”
    “That’s the point, my dear.”
    My dear. The endearment was improper, yet her pulse quickened at the flattery nonetheless.
    “It’s the perfect story,” Kirkland said. “It’s quite romantic, don’t you think, to meet during dance instruction? The women will be gushing over the tale.”
    The gossips would be in their glory. The daughter of the Mad Marquess had snared the most handsome bachelor in the realm while paying to learn how to dance the waltz. His appearance, combined with his title and wealth, had probably sent the debutantes and mamas of the ton into a frenzy.
    His lips curled in a lazy smile. “The Camerons are hosting a ball tomorrow night. Wendover is friendly with Lady Cameron, and she has agreed to announce our engagement. You had planned to attend, correct?”
    “Yes,” she said hesitantly.
    She had agreed to attend only because Lord Cameron had been an acquaintance of her father’s. But now, the notion that her engagement would be publically announced made her highly uneasy. A hundred guests would attend the ball, all of them influential members of society.
    Her chest tightened uncomfortably. It was one thing to tell her cousin she was engaged in the privacy of her workshop, but another entirely to have it announced in the Cameron’s ballroom. There would be no going back; she was agreeing to a betrothal with Lord Kirkland, however long, to aid in investigating the Inventors’ Society.
    “Good,” he said. “We will waltz at the ball and convince everyone of our story. Shall we practice?”
    He stepped close and put a hand on her waist. Their eyes locked and her cheeks grew warm under the heat of his gaze. His shaving soap—a subtle scent of bay rum—teased her nostrils.
    “We cannot,” she blurted out. “There’s no music.”
    He captured her right hand in his. “No matter. We’re just practicing, remember? Put your left hand on my shoulder and follow my lead.”
    Sophia slowly raised her arm, and her fingers grazed his shoulder. The heat from his body seared her fingertips through the cotton shirt. Her pulse skittered alarmingly.
    He began to move, smooth and practiced. “That’s it, Sophia. One and two and turn…you have the basic steps. Excellent.”
    Only it was far from excellent. She was highly conscious of his hand at her waist, his sinewy body inches from hers. A tingling began in the pit of her stomach at his nearness. She stumbled; he steadied her.
    Kirkland looked down, his stare bold as he assessed her. “The ball will be a good test to see how well you can handle the deception.”
    “I assure you, I can handle anything.”
    “Anything?” He pulled her a fraction of an inch closer.
    His touch upset her balance, and she inhaled sharply. He was purposefully trying to unnerve her. “Deception comes that easy to you?”
    “It’s a requirement of my job.”
    “I must keep that in mind when dealing with you, my lord.”
    He stopped dancing, but his hand remained around her waist. “We are entering the enemy’s lair. I need to be certain you won’t panic.”
    Her chin rose a notch. “I never panic.”
    His voice was cold and exact. “Dispassionate control is required, or else dangerous mistakes can occur.”
    “If you’re trying to intimidate me into backing out of Delmont’s house party, then you’re failing. I have mettle, my lord. Your seductive tactics won’t work on me.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “What do you know of seduction?”
    “I’m not completely ignorant. I’m twenty-four years old, and despite what you’ve heard, I’ve attended numerous balls, danced with plenty of gentlemen, and strolled through moonlit mazes. I’ve been kissed before.”
    Ocean-blue eyes studied her mouth. “Where?”
    She