A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano Page B

friend spoke volumes about her selfish character.
    She was a sorry excuse for a friend.
    â€œIs something the matter, Felicia?”
    Felicia pulled herself out of her thoughts and found Grayson watching her closely. “No.”
    â€œYou’re looking a little pale.”
    â€œTo think Eliza truly does seem to be under the misimpression that you’re capable of charm.” Felicia shook her head. “Telling a lady she looks anything other than delightful is not charming in the least, and I suggest you remember that.”
    â€œI thought you took exception to the term delightful ?”
    All the breath left her in a split second. He’d remembered their exchange. No one ever bothered to pay marked attention to anything she said.
    Chills swept down her spine, followed quickly by alarm. What in the world was the matter with her? Grayson Sumner was not the sort of gentleman who should be causing her chills.
    He was too worldly, too jaded, and—as she’d mentioned to her mother—too dangerous.
    Why then did she suddenly find him rather fascinating, even though she knew perfectly well he was less than fond of her at the moment? Could it be possible she was instinctively drawn to gentlemen who were completely unacceptable for her?
    Pushing that disturbing idea aside, she forced a smile. “I readily admit the word delightful does annoy me upon occasion, especially since I’ve come to believe it was used to humor me instead of compliment me.”
    Grayson crossed his arms over his chest, and time seemed to stop moving as he looked her up and down again.
    Heat flooded her face, but then he stepped closer to her and smiled a smile that actually appeared to be genuine. “Today you, my dear Felicia, look incredibly delightful, and I assure you, I’m not trying to humor you in the least.”
    His words swirled around her mind, and much to her surprise, her vision suddenly went a little misty as unexpected tears stung her eyes.
    It was a sincere compliment, something she hadn’t received in quite some time, if ever, from a gentleman. She blinked rapidly to hold the tears at bay, even as she spun on her heel and walked as quickly as she could to the small table where she’d left her reticule. She opened it, pulled out a handkerchief, dabbed at her eyes, and when she felt sufficiently composed, turned to find Grayson and Agatha watching her closely.
    â€œGood heavens, Felicia, are you all right?” Agatha asked.
    Felicia waved the handkerchief in the air. “Don’t mind me. I seem to get overwrought at the strangest things these days—not that I get overwrought on a regular basis—but . . . I’m fine now.”
    Grayson frowned. “You don’t appear fine.”
    â€œThere you go again, being charming,” she muttered. “I just want everyone to stop pitying me.”
    Grayson’s lips twitched ever so slightly. “Dissolving into tears when someone tells you that you look delightful is a wonderful way to go about seeing that happen.”
    â€œHe does make a good point,” Agatha added as she stepped up to Felicia’s side and took her arm. “I’ve just had a marvelous idea, one that will forever stop people from pitying you.”
    Apprehension was swift, replaced with outright alarm when Agatha began towing her toward the door. “What’s your idea?”
    â€œI’ll tell you when we get to the restaurant.”
    â€œWe’re going to a restaurant?” Grayson asked.
    Agatha nodded. “Of course we are. I’m starving, and I won’t be able to explain my idea properly until I get something to eat.”
    Felicia dug in her heels, causing Agatha to lurch to a halt. “I’m not going anywhere until you explain at least a little of this plan of yours.”
    Agatha tightened her grip and tried to pull Felicia forward, but when Felicia wouldn’t budge, blew out a