Gentleman's Trade

AFTER THE BALL

Rain fell in buckets that spring. It bounced off balconies, drenched gardens and, to lovely Vanessa Mannion's dismay, turned New Orleans' main lane into one big puddle. Even with her skirts held high, Vanessa could not prevent mud from spattering her gown -- which wasn't half as alarming as being caught with ankles bared by that uppity Britisher, Hugh Talverton. He may have been dashing, but his delight in American mishaps made Vanessa bristle, and his jokes about her generous display of leg turned her pink cheeks red.

Distressed, Vanessa icily ignored Hugh at a gala ball. Yet when Creole and plantation beauties buzzed about him, she simmered near to boiling, and in a fit of pique, pursued another would-be suitor. How could she have known that her feminine ploy would lead to a tangle of heartstrings, romance awry, and a most delightful lesson in love?