The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) (10 page)

“Would you two stop this nonsense!” Paxton eyed his sister, no longer amused by this last information. “You know I don’t like you playing cards.” She gave him a tight-lipped smile that said without words, “Who really cares what you like.” He sighed inwardly, trying not to feel negativity toward his mother and her absence from Lydia’s side. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Yes. It’s late and I’m tired.”

“Did you win or lose?” Cole asked.

“I won. I seem to have a knack with the cards,” Lydia proudly boasted.

“That’s because I taught you.” Paxton was in fact glad his sister won and hadn’t lost her pin money again.

“Leave it to you, dear brother, to try to take credit for my inborn skill. Besides, Mother taught me too. Have you heard from her?” Lydia asked.

“Yes. There is a letter at home for you. She says she is off to Bath to enjoy the minerals and wants you to join her.” Lydia would refuse. This he already surmised.

“I’m not going to Bath. It’s full of old people trying to gain back their youth by soaking in those smelly mineral waters. I’d prefer to stay here.”

“Then you shall.” Paxton wouldn’t send her to Bath if she didn’t want to go, and admittedly, he’d be lonely without her. But one day she would move out of his home and he was in charge of making sure this happened soon. What were the odds of Lydia marrying this Season? In his opinion, she appeared to be extremely fastidious. After all, this was Lydia’s second Season and she had yet to find even one interesting man. At least this is what she claimed.
Ugh, sisters!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next day, the Stonehaven house was filled to capacity with gentlemen and female callers. Evelyn and her mother did their duty as hostesses, making sure all the guests were offered a variety of small sandwiches. Tea and other beverages were kept supplied, and although it was customary to only stay for a short period, it seemed all the guests were not in any particular hurry to leave.

When the parlor was nearly bulging, people spilled out into the foyer. Everyone was having a wonderful time. Among those in attendance were Lady Spritewater, her two nieces, Lady Joanna, and Lady Cynthia. Lord Bakersfield was also present, and he brought along Viscount Briar. Lord Benton and Count Vernon had arrived alone. It seemed as if all the young notables were visiting.

Eve glanced at the door to see the Duchess of Arlington, Lady Rebecca, with her cousin Lady Lydia. She craned her neck around a few guests and was happy to see they were escorted by Paxton and Cole. She smiled at something Lady Joanna said and then excused herself to greet the new arrivals. She welcomed the newcomers with such enthusiasm that she thought she heard Cole laugh.

Her mother hurried over and escorted them into the crowded parlor, signaling the butler to assist them with coats.

Paxton nodded at a few gentlemen acquaintances and approached Eve with a bored expression on his face.

“You are not enjoying yourself, my lord?” she asked, observing his casual attire of black trousers, white lawn shirt, and dove-gray tailcoat.

***

Paxton stared at Eve, not able to help himself. She looked lovely and he tried to remind himself he was here for Lydia, not to seduce the beautiful lady in front of him. But knowing she was willing to marry him unsettled him and filled his mind with limitless possibilities. “Not bored, merely intrigued. I see the rumors are true.”

“And to what rumors do you refer?” Eve asked, obviously trying to act casual but Paxton sensed she was anything but.

“I was told all the young bucks are out to capture the hand of the fair Lady Evelyn.” Paxton brought her hand to his lips, but with irritation at his flirtatious behavior, he quickly dropped it. They finally had an understanding, and he wanted to respect it.

Eve blushed. “I guess I haven’t heard that bit of gossip, which of course is highly exaggerated.”

“Ah, modesty,” Paxton said while looking about. He saw many male eyes watching them with interest. “Lydia insisted we not refuse your mother’s invitation. She also wanted to know if you would accompany us to my cousin’s gala this evening. I probably should have allowed her the asking.”

“Well, you know I would love to join you.” Eve saw Lord Bakersfield coming toward them and smiled. This caused Paxton to clench his teeth with disquiet, which he knew he shouldn’t feel. “If you’ll excuse me, my lord,” she said before turning away from him.

“Of course.” Paxton watched as Lord Bakersfield swooped down on Eve as if he had just pulled her out of the River Styx. The dandy evidently felt threatened by him, which made Paxton smile. The thought gave him satisfaction, but he was bothered when he noticed the marquis escorting Eve to the back corner of the room, and more so when he noticed the happy expression on Eve’s face. She obviously enjoyed the lord’s attentions. He tried to picture the Marquis of Bakersfield married to the fair Lady Evelyn Manning; the dandy would surely stifle her honesty, which was unfortunate. Bakersfield seemed high in the instep to Paxton, far too haughty for someone with Eve’s candid nature.

“Why are you scowling?” Cole followed Paxton’s line of vision. “Don’t tell me. Let me guess. You are having a hard time trying to decide what to purchase Lady Evelyn for a wedding gift.” Cole smiled when Paxton glared at him. “You don’t think Lord Bakersfield is the right man for the chit for he is much too green, spoiled, and stuffy for Lady Evelyn. Am I correct?”

Paxton crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you finished?”

Cole laughed. “Look at all these young ladies. I can smell the various fragrances of perfume, and my heart speeds up. Did you look at Lady Johanna? She has the blondest hair and the prettiest figure I’ve seen in years.”

“I believe she is spoken for.” Paxton looked at the young lady in question. She was sitting with her hands daintily placed on her lap, a diamond glittering from her ring finger as she conducted a conversation with a group of older ladies while they oohed and awed over the gem.

“Well, she’s not married yet,” said Cole. “And besides, since when has that stopped me?”

“Ah, back to debauchery. Perhaps I should point out that she is too proper for the likes of you.”

“You forget I need a duchess not a doxy.” Cole sounded annoyed.

Paxton looked at him. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Well, what are you waiting for? She should be charmed out of her clothing by now.”

Cole watched Lady Johanna and sighed. “She is of gentle breeding, which shows in her mannerisms. No, I cannot approach her yet. I must proceed slowly, take the time to plan my moves carefully so I don’t frighten such an angel away.”

Paxton shook his head in amazement. “You’re incorrigible.”

***

Count Vernon was tired of listening to the boring and idle chatter of silly females. He needed information to aid Napoleon and wasn’t learning anything useful among this gaggle of women. He turned his head to observe something a young woman said and found the Earl of Devonhurst and the Marquis of Geary watching him closely. He knew his cover was good, but merely being a Frenchman did seem to draw hostility. He nodded at the pompous men and approached his decoy.

“Excuse me, Lady Evelyn. May I have a word?”

Eve excused herself from the bothersome Marquis of Bakersfield and turned to Henri.

“I have been invited to the Duke and Duchess of Arlington’s soiree this evening, and I would like to know if you would do me the honor of escorting me?”

“I am sorry, my lord. I would have accepted, but I’m afraid I already have an escort for that particular event. Lady Lydia Witley has asked me to accompany her and her brother. Perhaps another time, for I always enjoy your company.”

“
Bien sur
, another time then. I must depart. I promise to call upon you soon.” Henri placed a chaste kiss upon her hand, said his goodbyes to her mother and Lady Spritewater, and left.

***

“He is an interesting fellow.”

Lord Bakersfield had come up behind her and, like all the men she spoke with lately, he couldn’t seem to help himself from commenting on Henri. The men around her really needed to have some faith in her ability to choose a spouse, she thought. After all,
she
would have to spend the rest of her life with the man
she
chose. Eve tried not to allow Brandon’s tone to offend her. She was aware that he was trying to gain an idea of where their relationship was heading. Truth be told, she was too. She wasn’t stupid enough to pin all her hopes on the Earl of Devonhurst. He was, of course, her first choice at this point, but things could change.

“Yes, the count is interesting.” She changed the subject back to the conversation they were having before Henri’s interruption. “What were we discussing earlier?”

“You were telling me how you wanted to throw a ball when your father returned and how you were going to decorate the entire ballroom with orchids. By the by, Serenity told me she’d love to take you for another ride in the park. Tomorrow perhaps?”

Eve loved riding and she really did want to give Brandon a chance, even if he asked for her company through his horse. He seemed kind and attentive, and she had to admit he was pleasing to the eyes. He was also a future duke and political figure, which meant a match between them would thrill her father. “I think a ride in the park sounds splendid.” She could tell he was readying himself to leave. “Are you attending the Arlington party this evening?”

“If you are going to be there, I will make a point to attend.”

“Wonderful. I will see you then.”

“Until this evening.” Brandon bowed over her hand, placing a lingering kiss upon it.

“That was quite a show.” Paxton came up behind Eve the second Brandon stepped out the door. She had been holding the hand Brandon kissed and staring at the marquis from the window, trying to visualize herself as his wife. For some reason, it was difficult to imagine, which annoyed her, since Brandon seemed ideal if one were to list his attributes.

“I didn’t think friends were supposed to be jealous of a friend’s suitors?”

“Point taken, but this friend is only watching out for you.”

Not likely
. She recognized jealousy when she saw it. “Perhaps you’ll remember you are here for your sister’s sake and not mine.”

“I see I have said something to upset you. As a new friend not quite accustomed to your…um, shall we say, fluctuations of disposition, I think I’ll take my leave.” He turned and walked away.

Eve sighed in contemplation and then went after him. She stopped him in the hall, pulling him into her father’s study. The study was empty, and although you could barely hear the sounds of people in the other room, she left the door open for propriety’s sake. Eve approached the brandy decanter on the intricately carved side bar and poured herself a small dose. She drank down the contents in one swallow as she’d seen her father do when he felt put upon. She sputtered and coughed as her eyes filled with tears. “Oh my…” Then she continued to hack loudly.

Lord Devonhurst approached her and whacked her on her back a couple of times. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling at her, but at least he controlled his laughter. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, and he turned her toward one of the twin leather chairs facing the stone fireplace and she sat.

“Thank you.” She wiped away the tears from her eyes and then glanced at him as he took the seat next to hers. “I don’t know how men can drink that stuff. It tastes like poison.”

“Been drinking your fair share of poison, have you?”

Eve laughed. “No, but I imagine that is what poison would taste like. I appreciate that you did not laugh at me. I must seem pretty naïve and silly to you.”

“Not at all,” he told her. “Brandy is an acquired taste, and it really should be sipped and not guzzled, unless one is experienced with the stuff.”

“I guess there is a proper way to do everything in life.” She looked into the empty fireplace and back at him. “I know it’s not at all proper to be in here with you alone, but I want to apologize for my behavior. I didn’t mean to snap at you about Lord Bakersfield. It’s just, well…” She looked at the carpet beneath her feet, then decided honesty seemed to have served them well thus far. “I like him, and I didn’t think his kiss goodbye was by any means improper.” She looked over at him to find him watching her intently. “I guess, when I’m around you, I have mixed emotions. Just because we are friends does not mean the attraction I have toward you will instantly disappear.” He still said nothing.
Well, what did I expect?
“That’s all I had to say. You can leave now.”

***

Paxton was aghast at her last words. First, she admits to liking Lord Bakersfield, which rankled even though he did not want it to, and then she claims to have mixed feelings in regard to Paxton and shares the fact that she can’t contain her attraction to him. What was he supposed to say? What was she trying to tell him? And did he really want to know?

To top it all off, she dismissed him like a servant. “I cannot be set aside so easily, my sweet.” She was honest and he would reciprocate. “First of all, I’ll admit the attraction between us is mutual, and as for your interest or lack of interest toward Lord Bakersfield, you are right that it is not my concern. I apologize for overstepping our lines of friendship earlier. As I have told you, I have never had a female friend and this is all new to me. I ask that you bear with me for I truly do mean well, at least I think I do. I look at you and I see a kind of pure innocence and pertinent manner not often found in such a passionate lady. Ladies may be innocent, or pertinent, or even passionate, but never have I witnessed a lady with all three qualities. It is truly rare to find someone like you who is so open and honest with her feelings. Not many women of my acquaintance know how to be candid, except for my sister and my mother, and I find it a refreshing quality in you to say the least. I’m sorry if I offended you with my surliness but, unfortunately, it’s in my nature. I’ve been told I acquired my nature from my mother.”

“All right. You’re forgiven,” Eve said. She smiled so sweetly at him that his heart sped up.

Paxton knew it was time to take his leave. He never should have allowed her to pull him into the study in the first place. She trusted him and that made his need to have her even stronger. “Friends, then?” He stood.

“Friends.” Eve threw herself in his arms, clasping him around his waist.

Paxton held himself still, trying to ignore the flowery scent of Eve in his arms. He gave her a quick pat on her back before pulling himself out of her embrace.
She is going to be the death of me.