‘My behaviour?’ Her brother’s eyes widened in a credible imitation of innocence. ‘What possible concern could you have about that?’
‘I see no need to explain myself. We are both aware of your reputation with women.’
He slowly began to smile, clearly enjoying himself. ‘And what have you heard about my reputation, pray tell?’
‘Amongst other things, that you are fickle and heartless,’ Anna said, boldly meeting his gaze. ‘We’ve gone through three maids in the last year and I suspect your unwelcome attentions towards them had much to do with the reasons they all left. If you must indulge yourself, kindly do so in a manner that does not disrupt the household or result in frightened young girls being sent back to the country in tears.’
His eyes narrowed and for a long moment he stared at her in silence. ‘Well, well, so the pretty bird has sharp talons,’ he murmured finally. ‘Who would have guessed?’
‘Guessed what?’ their father asked, joining them.
‘Nothing.’ Anna turned her back on Edward, shutting out his obnoxious comments and his condescending gaze. She knew he enjoyed goading her and most of the time she was able to rise above his petty teasing, to treat his remarks with the chilly disdain they deserved. But tonight he’d touched a nerve and, despite her best intentions, she had lashed out at him, a reaction she would no doubt come to regret. ‘We should go in. I have no desire to keep the Baroness waiting.’
They were escorted by the butler into an elegant drawing room where most of the guests had already assembled. Anna saw Lydia talking to Lord and Lady Bessmel and smiled in acknowledgement of her friend’s wave. She left her father and brother and went to join them.
‘Good evening, Lord Bessmel, Lady Bessmel,’ she greeted the older couple. ‘And, Lydia, I’m so pleased to see you. How is your mother this evening?’
‘Much better, thank heavens,’ the girl said, clearly relieved. ‘This last megrim has been very difficult for her, but the doctor gave her something that seems to be helping. But what an exquisite gown, Anna. Surely one of Madame Delors’s?’
‘I thought the occasion demanded something suitably festive.’ Anna took a deep breath and glanced around the room. She had no idea if Sir Barrington had been invited, but she found herself looking for him regardless. ‘Have you seen our hostess yet?’
‘No, but I expect she will be down shortly.’
‘Not the thing for a lady to be late for her own dinner party,’ Lord Bessmel remarked.
‘Patience, Harry,’ Lady Bessmel said, patting her husband’s arm. ‘I’m sure the baroness is simply waiting for the right moment to make her appearance. Most Europeans have a flair for the dramatic. But what lovely pearls, Annabelle. Your mother’s, if I’m not mistaken.’
‘Yes,’ Anna said, surprised that the countess would recognise them. ‘How did you know?’
‘I remember her wearing them. White or pink pearls are relatively common, but that shade of gold is quite rare.’
‘They were a gift to her from Papa,’ Anna said fondly. ‘He always said Mama had the perfect complexion for them.’
‘She did. Fortunately, so do you and they go perfectly with your gown, which I must tell you is absolutely exquisite. But look, I do believe the baroness comes.’
As expected, all eyes turned towards the door where the baroness, resplendent in sapphire satin, stood for a moment framed in the doorway. Her lovely face was wreathed in smiles, but Anna was quite sure it wasn’t her smile or her gown that caused the collective gasp of astonishment that echoed around the room, but the magnificent diamond-and-sapphire necklace that was draped around her throat.
‘Forgive me, dear friends, but a minor crisis upstairs delayed my arrival,’ she announced to her assembled guests. ‘I trust you have been attended to in my absence.’
‘We have been very well treated,’ Lord Bessmel said as the baroness joined them. ‘The important thing is that you are here now and looking quite spectacular, if you don’t mind my saying so.’
‘I don’t mind you saying so at all, Lord Bessmel,’ Julia said with a soft gurgle of laughter. ‘In fact, I am convinced it is the one thing a lady never tires of hearing. Anna, my dear,’ she said, pressing her cheek to Anna’s. ‘How beautiful you look tonight. You will most certainly rob the gentlemen of their senses. And, Lady Lydia, how delightful to see you again. I trust your mother is feeling better?’
‘She is, Julia, thank you; she is so sorry she couldn’t be here this evening. Unfortunately, noise tends to aggravate her condition.’
‘I understand,’ Julia said with a sympathetic nod. ‘Megrims are such tiresome things. You are lucky not to be afflicted.’
‘Good evening, Baroness.’
Julia turned and her smile brightened. ‘Lord Cambermere, Lord Hayle, I am so pleased you were both able to attend.’
‘An opportunity to spend time in the company of a beautiful woman should never be missed,’ Cambermere said as he brushed his lips over her hand in a courtly, old-world gesture. ‘And may I say you look magnificent this evening.’
A becoming flush rose in her cheeks. ‘You are very kind to say so.’
‘Kindness has nothing to do with it,’ the earl assured her. ‘I’m sure there isn’t a gentleman in the room who doesn’t agree with me.’
‘Fortunately, most of them come with wives,’ Edward cut in smoothly. ‘Those of us who are single definitely have the advantage this evening.’
His smile was charismatic and his words flattering. Anna saw her father’s expression falter as Edward neatly inserted himself between them, but Julia’s attention was already diverted, her head turned towards the door. ‘And here is yet another handsome gentleman come to join our group. Good evening, Sir Barrington.’
Anna hadn’t needed to hear Barrington’s name to know that he was in the room. She’d felt the atmosphere change, a subtle quickening of interest as he crossed the floor like a sleek black panther moving through the forest. She saw heads turn, watched eyes widen and flirtatious smiles disappear behind discreetly raised fans. Obviously she wasn’t the only one impressed by the width of his shoulders and the unfathomable depths of those cool grey eyes—
‘Anna!’
Hearing Lydia’s voice, Anna turned, but it wasn’t until she saw the slight widening of her friend’s eyes that she realised she had been staring. Botheration! The last thing she needed was Sir Barrington Parker mistakenly thinking she was interested in him. Or worse, infatuated by him.
Fortunately, the gentleman seemed completely unaware of her preoccupation, his attention now focused solely on his hostess. ‘Good evening, Baroness,’ he greeted her in that distinctively low, seductive voice. ‘Forgive my late arrival. I was unavoidably detained.’
‘You owe us no apologies, Sir Barrington,’ Julia said easily. ‘You are here now and that is all that matters. I believe you know everyone?’
Sir Barrington nodded, his gaze touching briefly on each of them as he paid his respects. Finally, he turned to Anna, his mouth curving in that maddeningly provocative smile. ‘Lady Annabelle.’
‘Sir Barrington,’ she said, wishing she possessed even a fraction of his composure. ‘We have not seen much of you this past while.’
‘I was out of London for a few days on business, but made sure to return in time for this evening’s gathering.’
‘And for the fencing demonstration,’ Lord Bessmel said with a wink.
Sir Barrington turned to stare at him.