Chapter 4
Another ball that night, as it turned out, held at the home of Lord and Lady Addington, one street over from the Argyle Rooms and the hotel where Alistair had learned Madame Melisande was staying. He’d noticed that the French widow, whose charms could be rented if not actually purchased, had become a common element in Miss Parnell’s activities.
Madame Melisande had arrived at the Venetian breakfast shortly after Alistair and his party, and his fiancée had quickly excused herself to the ladies’ retiring room. She’d come back looking less than satisfied, moments after Melisande had reappeared.
“Unless you plan to depart from respectability,” he whispered in Miss Parnell’s ear as they made their way through the Addingtons’ receiving line, “I’d like to know your interest in the Fr
