“What a horrible insult,” Lila said, untangling herself from La Roux at last. She ventured back to the balcony overlooking the dance floor and lifted a fresh glass of champagne from a roving servant.
The pair peered over the wooden railing to spy on the dancers below. Chairwoman Weberly and Chairwoman Holguín listened intently to Senator Serrano on the side of the ballroom.
“What do you think of the Holguíns?” she asked. “I enjoy your candor.”
“I think the family couldn’t get any dirtier if they rolled around in mud all day. I’m amazed their matron has not been hanged. I bet that little cabal is twisting Serrano’s ear right now, urging him to do something he won’t understand the implications of.”
“You don’t think highly of the senator, do you?”
He leaned into her again, pressing his cheek against her ear, and gripped her hip. “Serrano is too dim for the Saxony Senate. If he makes it to Unity, he’ll do so on nothing more than the twist of his pretty little cock.”
“So you’ve seen it, then?”
“Seen what?”
“His pretty little cock?”
“Mine’s nicer.” Their cheeks brushed as he pulled back, his nose grazing hers. “Would you like to become familiar with it this winter?”
“You’re very blunt and eager, aren’t you?”
“There are plenty of places where I take my time. Research is one such place. As chief, you have often been described as bold, with a rather shocking sense of humor. You are not one to waste time in your work.”
“Is this work?”
“I suspect it is for a woman like you, but I’m trying to make it fun for you.” He chuckled and sipped his champagne. “You give as good as you get. I like it. I don’t think you would have asked Louis to introduce us if you had not already culled me from the senate’s herd. I’m happy to have made the cut.”
“Do you believe yourself to be the only one culled?”
“Of course not, but you are here with me when there are a thousand other men in the ballroom you could be flirting with. Since I am enjoying myself very much, I intend to put forth my best effort. Is it working?”
The senator’s grin reached his eyes this time. Lila was a good enough judge of character to note his happiness, though she didn’t know if it was due to her position, her personality, or because he believed her trapped.
Although she wanted a peek at his palm, Lila grew distracted by a different sort of want altogether. Her body had been responding to him during their conversation, regardless of her feelings for Tristan.
Why did the Baron have to be so amusing?
“You’re welcome, by the way,” Lila said, ignoring his question.
“For what?”
“For rescuing you from Ms. Charlotte Weberly. I suspect she wanted to wrangle you into a season. Imagine that.”
“Yes, imagine that. Is there any reason why I should not accept a season with her?”
“I suspect you might be wrangled elsewhere,” Lila replied carefully, giving him absolutely no confirmation of her intentions.
The intentions were there, of course. She knew very well how she could take a peek at his palm. If La Roux was the Baron, she’d find out very soon.
The insinuation of a season seemed to be enough for La Roux. Less than an hour later, Lila engaged a limo to ferry them back to the great house.
As they climbed inside, she sent a quick message to her mother.
Ride back with Jewel.
Chapter 20
La Roux paced around Lila’s bedroom and stopped before the miniature Randolph coat of arms hung above her couch, tracing the twin silver wolves that howled and lunged in opposite directions. “I’ve never been inside a finer home,” he said, mouth quirking as he folded his hands behind his back. “I’d like to see more of it.”