Tempting Miss Allender (Regency Rakes 3) by Wendy Vella Page B

between us that is yet to be explored.”
    Not bloody likely, Patience thought. But just like Lord Belmont, she could not stop the man as he started walking toward the floor with her hand now on his arm. Why did men insist on making decisions for her? Patience was independent; she made her own choices and had been doing so for many years. Running her brother’s household, juggling the finances, and ensuring he stayed safe and out of their cousin’s reach had been no easy task, yet she had done it.
    “I really have no wish to dance,” she protested, this time with a little more force. As they had arrived on the dance floor, she had to comply, but this was last time. Next time she’d set him and that arrogant Lord Belmont firmly back on their heels. Joining their group, her heart sank as she saw Mathew smiling at her. Dragging her eyes away from his handsome face, she looked at the woman he was partnering. Elegant and beautiful, with soft brown curls and a petite figure, she looked the perfect match for a man like him.
    “Good evening, Miss Allender.”
    “Lord Belmont,” Patience said as they passed.
    “My dear Miss Allender, I will call upon you tomorrow, and we shall drive through the park in my new curricle. I had it sprung especially to accommodate my needs, and I daresay you have never seen such a beauty.”
    Patience shot Mathew a look to see if he had heard Mr. Dundrill’s words. Honestly, the man would not have been able to speak in hushed tones if his life depended upon it, and if he did not watch his step with her, it might just come to that.
    “I am busy tomorrow, Mr. Dundrill, and as I have told you, I am here in the capacity of a chaperone, not to go driving in the park.”
    Mr. Dundrill’s lips formed a thin line at her refusal, which did nothing to enhance his already homely features.
    “Did I detect a note of annoyance in your tone, Miss Allender?”
    Men are fools , Patience thought, ignoring Mathew’s words.
    “I am not rebuffed, my dear Miss Allender, merely determined that one day I shall turn to see your magnificence beside me upon the seat of my curricle.”
    “Oh, do be quiet, Dundrill. You are embarrassing the poor girl and making me nauseous.”
    Patience could do nothing to stop a snort of laughter at these words spoken by an elderly lady to her right.
    “Best way to treat the man, my dear. Laughter shrivels ardor, I’ve always found, the woman added before dancing away.”
    Mr. Dundrill sulked through the remainder of the dance, but was back to his obnoxious self when he returned her to Lucy’s side. Lucy was not happy to see her.
    “You were rude to Mr. Stanhope, Patience.”
    “And you are too trusting,” Patience replied.
    “I merely introduced you, nothing further,” her sister snapped. “He did not speak out of turn, nor ask for my hand in marriage. He merely complimented you by saying I had spoken of you, and you were rude!”
    “I do not trust like you.”
    “That is no excuse for ill-mannered behavior.”
    Lucy rarely got angry, and especially not with Patience, so it stung that she was attacking her when her crime had simply been that she was looking out for her sister.
    “I was merely endeavoring to gauge the man’s personality.”
    “No, you were not. You gave him no opportunity to engage. You simply attacked.”
    Looking at the anger in her sister’s eyes, Patience knew that there would be no reasoning with her at that moment, and was relieved when Lucy’s next dance partner arrived to take her away. Needing some fresh air, she headed for the French doors, uncaring if it was wrong or right of her to be going outside unaccompanied.
    There were plenty of people about. Most were wandering along the flagstones or had made their way down the steps and were walking the gardens. They looked magical as the torches flickered shadowed light over them. She longed for the privacy of a secluded path to wander down.
    “Cousin, how wonderful to see you here.”
    Patience