The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) (9 page)

The earl was back to ignoring her, but now he refused to even look in her direction. Eve suddenly smiled as someone else walked through the main entrance. She was not about to approach the Earl of Devonhurst. After all, she did have her pride. Nevertheless, she could try to make sure he’d come to her again before the night was through. Excusing herself from Henri, Eve left to set her plan in motion.

CHAPTER TEN

“Excuse me, my lord. I don’t believe we have had the pleasure of an introduction. I’m Lady Evelyn Manning.”

Cole was taken aback for a moment by the woman’s boldness in approaching him. It wasn’t exactly proper for a young lady of quality to be so forward as to introduce herself. Half of the people in the hall were awaiting his reaction, and thus to prevent her from embarrassment, Cole put on his usual charm and made a formal bow. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Lady Evelyn,” he said loud enough for others to hear. He brought one of her gloved hands to his lips, and in a quieter voice, he said, “I am Cole, the Marquis of Geary. My father, the Duke of Scottsdale is well acquainted with your father. I had the honor of meeting your family last week. Unfortunately, you were dancing and I missed the opportunity for an introduction to the most talked about beauty in London.”

She smiled and acknowledged his compliment with a nod. By the scrunched expression of distaste she wore, it was clear that she wasn’t thrilled to be the talk of the town. “I assume people will talk about anything trivial in London.”

“Only when the lady’s beauty makes her worthy of such praise.” He noticed a becoming blush fill her cheeks.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Cole wasn’t sure why Lady Evelyn had approached him, but he liked that she had. He scanned the room, watching all of their spectators and decided to give their audience more to talk about. “Would you care to dance, my lady?”

“It would be a pleasure, my lord.” Lady Evelyn passed him a sly smile as she took the arm he offered.

Cole caught her look and groaned inwardly. She was a lovely woman with her coppery red hair and captivating cerulean eyes. Normally he would have applied all his charm to capture this beauty, but one thing stopped him. Paxton would kill him. For although his friend wasn’t willing to admit his feelings, Cole was well aware how much the Earl of Devonhurst wanted this particular lady, but then so did most of the men in London. “Are you enjoying your Season, Lady Evelyn?”

He twirled Lady Evelyn around and she grinned at him enticingly. “It has been wonderful, albeit exhausting. To be honest, I’m looking forward to a visit in the country where the pace is slower.” She paused. “I’m sorry. That must sound dreadful.”

Cole shook his head, indicating that he agreed with what she had said. If one wasn’t used to the hustle and bustle of London, it could definitely be overwhelming. “Not at all. It seems natural to feel more comfortable in the place you were raised. Do you plan to visit the country soon?”

“No. My mother wants us all to stay in London for a while and make sure I’m…settled first.” Eve glanced around at all the people watching them and he felt her body tremble for a second.

“You mean happily betrothed?”

She focused back on their conversation and blushed. “I’m sorry. I assume this is one of those subjects I shouldn’t be discussing with you.” He pulled her close and then spun her around again to the wild waltz, and she laughed.

“You may speak to me about whatever you wish. I happened to notice you are an acquaintance of Devonhurst’s. Any friend of his is a friend of mine,” Cole replied, wanting her to discuss her intentions toward his closest confidante while letting her know she could not run roughshod over him by trying to gain Paxton’s attention, which was exactly what this minx was doing.

The delightful lady scrunched her freckled nose as if in serious thought, seemingly feigning ignorance, as if she were trying to recall Paxton’s name. “Oh yes, Lord Devonhurst, the rogue who never wishes to marry and plans to neglect his responsibility as an earl to beget an heir. He’s a friend of yours?” She raised her head and rolled her eyes skyward in distaste as if to say Cole’s choice in friends lacked proper thought.

Cole couldn’t help himself. She was so serious in her mien that he burst into laughter, which in turn drew more curious stares in their direction. “Yes. He is the one to whom I refer.”

***

Upon seeing Cole and Eve laughing and dancing in each other’s arms, Paxton felt a muscle jump in his cheek from grinding his teeth. He had warned her away from Cole.
It seems she didn’t wish to take my advice.
Excusing himself from the men he was conversing with, he elegantly made his way across the ballroom floor and right up to them. “Cole, I’d like to continue this dance with Lady Evelyn.”

He tensed, sensing Cole was about to argue for he had clearly been enjoying himself. He assumed Cole was also most likely curious what else Lady Evelyn had to say for she did not seem to have a Londoner’s ability to hide her thoughts and feelings. Paxton found that trait delightful, and he knew his friend undoubtedly concurred. Obviously sensing Paxton’s irritation, Cole wisely decided not to cause a scene. He shrugged and kissed the top of Evelyn’s hand. “It has been a pleasure, my lady.”

Eve curtsied a farewell to Cole, and Paxton quickly pulled her into his arms.

“You are bound to break my back if you don’t loosen your hold,” she said. “It was rude of you not to wait for the next dance. The crowd looks completely scandalized by the scene you caused. I do hope you’re happy.” Paxton noticed her smile was one of triumph, and he had indeed caused gossip to ripple across the room. Now they all would think he was laying claim to her. She seemed quite proud of herself.

“I’m not the type to care what the society matrons think of my actions. I thought it best to interrupt and inform you that Cole is
not
one of your suitors.”

“You interrupted our dance to warn me away from your friend? That is the second time, I might add,” she said airily, and she laughed. “I think Lord Geary is a fine candidate for marriage. I hear he is as rich as Crocus and heir to a dukedom. I think I’d make a wonderful duchess, don’t you? Oh, and did you know his father and mine happen to be friends. I’m sure my mother would find him a more than suitable for me.”

Paxton was having a hard time staying calm. He wanted to throttle the woman. Instead, after making sure no one was observing them, he escorted her off the dance floor and down the long carpeted hall.

Eve tried to pull her arm out of his grasp in protest, but he wasn’t relinquishing his grip. “Where are you taking me?” she asked. “You have no right to manhandle me. I demand you release me.”

Her effort to pull away was fruitless and he pushed her into a dimly lit room and shut the door firmly behind them. She could likely sense his anger, but she refused to cower, and actually lifted her chin defiantly and stared into his furious gaze as he glared at her.

“I wish for you to explain yourself,” she said as she wrenched her arm away from him and groped around in the semi-dark for a place to sit.

Paxton still didn’t speak. He was trying to compose himself as he lit a few scattered candles around the room. He noticed they had entered a small feminine sitting room. He looked at Eve seated on the pink velvet settee, her back ramrod straight, her hands folded tightly together in her lap, and her blue eyes sparkling defiantly. He turned away, fighting the never-ending urge to take her into his arms. He then turned back and starred at her.

“Well?” Eve looked at him questioningly. “I can’t stay here long and you should hope no one saw us leaving together, or rather, that they did not see you dragging me away.”

Paxton was at a loss. What could he say? How could he explain that, for a moment, he became insanely jealous and had decided she was no longer allowed to talk to Cole, ever. He knew he was behaving irrationally. He took a seat on a yellow upholstered chair across from her and ran his hands through his hair. “Cole is not interested in marriage any more than I am, Lady Evelyn.”

“Come now, my lord. Titled men do need heirs, and most do take the responsibility quite seriously.”

He knew her comment was an attack on him, not Cole, and his stance on matrimony. He also knew that what she said was true, for one of the most important things in a titled man’s life was to secure the title for as many generations as possible. She was angry with him, and in a way, he didn’t blame her. He had treated her horribly earlier with his bold manner toward her person and his cruel words, and now he was ordering her about like a naval commander. “I’m sorry for my behavior this evening. I think we need to call a truce. You have made it clear that you wish for us to wed, and, hopefully, I have made you understand that marriage between us isn’t feasible. I happen to like you and I would like it very much if you would agree to be my friend. I never actually had a female friend, aside from my sister, but I would like to try.”

She was silent, most likely deciding if she should take offense at his suggestion. He was, after all, asking her to give up on her dream of them together. He hoped this silly idea of hers would dissipate. He didn’t wish for her to see him as some kind of challenge, a trophy to be won. She appeared disappointed, but he couldn’t blame her. In London Society, he was indeed a catch. He laughed to himself.

He reached across and took her hand, giving it a gentle pat. “What do you think?”

She suddenly smiled, which should have forewarned him of things to come, but it hadn’t. “Then friends we shall be,” she said. “Now, as your friend, I would appreciate it if you weren’t so forceful with your opinions. I’m not interested in Cole as a suitor, and therefore you can stow your advice in that regard…friend.”

“Call me Paxton. My good friends do.” To his mind, she had accepted his offer of friendship far too easily, but then, friends was all they could ever be and she needed to realize this.

“All right. Paxton, would you escort me back to the party. I believe my evening will be very productive since I shall be busy finding your replacement.” Eve laughed as if she was jesting, but the thought of her with another man didn’t sit well with him.

Then Paxton took her arm and managed to laugh good-naturedly all the way down the hall. He was glad they weren’t arguing and that she had agreed to be friends. He only wished his body understood that decision and remembered that it was forbidden to bed one’s friends.

***

Eve was happy throughout the rest of the evening, for although she had lost a potential husband, Paxton was turning out to be a fun and interesting friend. He was no longer ignoring her but helping her on her mission to find herself the perfect suitor. He assisted her in choosing dance partners, giving her important private information about certain gentlemen around the room. She did notice his agitation when Count Vernon approached, but she pinched his arm and whispered in his ear, “In case you’ve forgotten, the war’s over.” Paxton then quit scowling.

She spent the rest of the evening with Henri as they mingled with various circles, conversing on everything from farming to Napoleon’s exile in Elba, the latter seeming to be Henri’s favorite subject. By two o’clock in the morning, Eve’s feet were sore from dancing and she was tired of the constant conversation. She found her mother and Lady Spritewater still in the card room talking with Lady Lydia over a game of whist. After conversing with them for a while, they all agreed it was time to go home.

***

“Where did you drag her off to?” Cole asked Paxton upon his return.

“It’s not what you think.”

“And how do you know what I’m thinking?” Cole tried to sound offended.

“Because
it’s
what you’re always thinking.” Paxton sighed, knowing his friend wouldn’t let up. “I took her to some stupid sitting room, where I warned her away from wolves like you, and then I told her we could be friends.”

Cole laughed, seemingly believing Paxton was daft or jesting, but Paxton’s expression clearly said he wasn’t anything but serious. “You interrupted our dance for such nonsense?”

“No. I interrupted your dance because you were having too much fun with an innocent lady who does not have the practice or prowess to fight your adept lecherousness.”

Cole shrugged. “At least you admit I have such a gift.”

“You’re the most notorious rake I know.” Paxton laughed at how Cole took his words as complimentary.

“Regardless of my prowess, you didn’t have to warn Lady Evelyn away from me. I know you’re infatuated with the woman. I would never dream of stepping on your toes.”

“I’m not infatuated!” Paxton was going to add that, in regards to Evelyn Manning, Cole hadn’t a chance in hell of stepping on his toes, but he let the subject drop. He did not wish to have any feelings other than friendship toward Eve.

Cole laughed at the anger in Paxton’s tone. “All right. Calm down. I’m harassing you.”

Lydia walked up behind them. “And what, pray tell, are you teasing my brother about now, Lord Geary?”

“Why, Lady Lydia, what a pleasant surprise. Where have you been keeping your lovely self all evening, my pretty dove?” Paxton often wondered if Cole could shut off the drivel he often spouted, but compliments and flattery were Cole’s specialty.

His sister was well aware of Cole’s philandering, and she tended to enjoy throwing compliments back at the marquis, but in an overly-dramatic voice. “Oh, my lord, I didn’t think you’d heed little ol’ me. Well, now, I am truly flattered someone of your exalted caliber noticed me at all. If you must know my whereabouts, I was in the card room.”

“Now I am the one who is sorry, for that is the one place I had not looked,” Cole said solemnly, and Paxton laughed.

“To know you looked at all is enough,” said Lydia.