Not Proper Enough (A Reforming the Scoundrels Romance) Read Online Free Page B

Not Proper Enough (A Reforming the Scoundrels Romance)
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of the room that could not see probably thought he’d slapped Fenris.
    Fenris half turned. “What is that noise?”
    Thwap, thwap, thwap
, went the gloves against Lane’s palm. “Fox. Do mine eyes deceive? Gentlemen,” Lane addressed his companions, “did you not hear his lordship ask the girl to dance?”
    To this there came a chorus of agreement. Eugenia tensed.
    “To be sure,” Fenris said. “I’m begging for the honor.”
    “The man who stole away the Incomparable is reduced to begging for dances?” Lane snorted. “I thought you were over your penchant for blowsy girls.”
    Fenris went perfectly still. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    But he did. Of course he did. Some years ago, Fenris had leveled just that insult at her. He’d called her blowsy, a remark that spread through the Ton like fire and refused to die out.
    “If your sensibilities were nice in any respect,” Lane said, his hand still over his heart, “you would not be here pleading for yet another blowsy country girl to dance with you.” He winced, but whether his pain was metaphorical or physical, Eugenia could not say. “Where’s your pride? You’re to be a duke, one day, man.”
    Fenris looked him up and down. “If you had the brainsof a lobster, you would possess twice the intelligence you’ve displayed tonight.”
    Lane frowned. “Brains?” He opened and closed his mouth several times and squinted as if thinking pained him. “Twice the intelligence?”
    “I fear it’s not a compliment.” Hester shook her head sadly.
    “Mr. Lane.” Eugenia felt sick to her stomach as she stepped off the cliff with no protection but the hope that she was right that Lord Fenris’s regard for Hester was sincere. “I believe Lord Fenris is suggesting that in a contest of mental acuity between you and a large crustacean, the crustacean would win.”
    Dinwitty gaped. “Of a…lobster?”
    “Yes,” Fenris said. “A lobster. As Mrs. Bryant so helpfully explicated, a large crustacean.”
    Lane’s eyes widened. He tipped his chin downward until it collided with his cravat, which spoiled his attempt to look down his nose at Eugenia. She would gladly accept the man’s blistering scorn as long as he let Hester alone. His lip curled as he turned his attention from her to Fenris. “You go too far.”
    “On the contrary, Mr. Lane.” Fenris sounded bored. Bored beyond anyone’s capacity to endure such tedium. “I did not go far enough. I cannot fathom why a gentleman would behave as you have this evening.”
    One of Lane’s companions, Eugenia did not see who it was, barked again, to the general hilarity of the rest of Lane’s followers.
    Lane gestured at the men behind them. “Give his lordship your condolences, men.” He spoke over several sotto voce mutterings behind him. “I believe his lordship has forgotten himself. My God.” Lane glanced toward the heavens. “Save us from watching him dash his reputation to shreds on such inferior shores as these. You should not, sir, seduce in so poor a country.”
    “I beg your pardon,” Fenris said in sharp tones.
    Lane slapped his gloves on his palm again. “None shall be given.”
    “You would be wise to have a care what you imply about me,” Fenris said so coldly she could practically see snowflakes dancing in the air around him. If you don’t, it will be your mistake to rue. I shall not, however, permit you to imply anything untoward about me and any lady in this room.”
    Hester, Eugenia was aware, watched Lord Fenris with a sharp gaze.
    “I’m sure,” Lane said, “that I’ve heard more than enough insults for one night.”
    The world was perverse. Eugenia had long dreamed about serving Lord Fenris the ice-cold revenge he so deserved. Since the day she’d learned of Fenris’s campaign against her she had imagined all manner of ways to make him pay. She had never, not once, imagined she would align herself with him or feel in any way compelled to defend him. “What insult do

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