Read On a Wild Night for Free Online Page B

a good portion of the ton by creating a salon in the tradition of the previous century. Her rooms were furnished with an eye to luxurious comfort and fashionable elegance; her ladyship’s refreshments were always of the best. As for the play, on the few nights on which gaming was permitted, the wagers were rumored to be astronomical.
    For the most part, however, Lady Hennessy concentrated on providing entertainment guaranteed to attract the most blue-blooded rakes in town. This in turn ensured the attendanceof the cream of the married ladies looking for distraction, which in turn guaranteed that every rake worthy of the name invariably returned to Gloucester Street. Her ladyship’s genius lay in perceiving the connection between her two principal groups of guests, and promoting it; there was an excellent string quartet playing softly in one corner, and the lighting, provided by lamps large and small, wall sconces and candelabra, created patches of soft light and shadow more conducive to the discreet pursuit of passion than the harsh light of a chandelier.
    There were whispers of other rooms which were occasionally given over to private parties. Although curious, Amanda was certain she wouldn’t need to experience such functions. Lady Hennessy’s public rooms should be more than sufficient for her purpose.
    Reggie frowned. “Rather quiet, ain’t it? Not what I expected at all.”
    Amanda hid a smile; Reggie had expected a cross between a bordello and a public house. Yet while the elegant crowd conversed in quiet, well-modulated tones, while the murmurs, chuckles and laughter were distinctly well bred, the tenor of the comments, the tension that passed between couples in close converse was anything but mild. As for the glances exchanged, some could have set flame to coal.
    Almack’s was the ton’s marriage mart; Lady Hennessy’s was a market of a different stamp, frequented by the same class of both sellers and buyers. It was said that on any given evening during the Season, more aristocratic male blood was to be discovered in Gloucester Street than at any other venue in the capital.
    Completing an exhaustive survey, Amanda was relieved to see no one she would rather not—like one of her father’s cronies. Or one of her mother’s circle. Or any of her cousins’ friends. That had been her only fear in embarking on this strategy. Reassured, she relaxed, and gave her mind to her immediate next step.
    â€œI’m parched. Do you think you could get me a glass of champagne?”
    â€œRight-o. I think the refreshments are laid out in there.” Reggie nodded to the connecting salon, and headed in that direction.
    Amanda waited until he was out of sight, screened by shoulders and broad backs. Then she stepped into the crowd, and let her eye roam.
    It took her five minutes to gather three admirers of precisely the right stamp. Gentlemen well favored, attractive, elegantly turned out, who were witty, charming in a bantering way, and who were all extremely interested in discovering the reason for her appearance in Lady Hennessy’s salon.
    Amanda had attended too many balls and parties, too many houseparties, to feel challanged by the task of crossing verbal swords with the three—Mr. Fitzgibbon, Lord Walter and Lord Cranbourne—while concealing her intentions. Indeed, the very fact she was so glib in shielding her purpose only fired the gentlemen’s imaginations and anchored them within her circle.
    By the time Reggie found her, she was creditably beseiged.
    Greeting him with a smile, she accepted the glass he’d brought for her and made him known to her three admirers. His expression bland, Reggie acknowledged the introductions. Ignoring his severe look when he turned back to her, she smiled at Mr. Fitzgibbon. “You were describing boating on the Thames by night, sir. Is the experience truly worth the inconvenience?”
    Mr. Fitzgibbon was quick to