by Rose Gordon
He bit back a smile when he watched her smile slip and disappointment twist her lips into a snarl. He hated being such a heel, but really she was not the least bit fascinating; and if he had to suffer through dinner with her, she was going to do some suffering, too. He was going to make sure of it.
She recovered quickly though. “That would be delightful, my lord. Since you earlier expressed your understanding and penchant for rules, I am convinced you would be the best person to consult with about rules and strategy.”
Andrew nodded and resigned himself to a dinner companion that might drive him to commit suicide later.
Just then the butler appeared and announced that dinner was served.
Relieved that he wouldn’t have to make idle chitchat with just Lady Olivia much longer, Andrew offered her his arm and started walking briskly toward where the butler was leading the party down to dinner.
“Could you slow down? My slippers do not allow me to walk as fast as you,” Lady Olivia said sharply.
“Of course,” Andrew muttered.
When Andrew and Lady Olivia entered the dining room, his eyes immediately searched for Brooke. Unfortunately she was seated on the far end of the table by Mr. Cook, her sister Liberty and Mr. Grimes. Brooke’s face looked as hard as steel. He tried to give her an apologetic smile, but it did nothing to soften her face
Dinner would have been excellent if not for such poor company. The whole meal Lady Olivia cooed, simpered, batted her lashes, and several other pathetic attempts at flirting. It was enough to make even the hungriest man lose his appetite.
After dinner, the men stayed in the dining room while the ladies went to the drawing room. The separation only lasted an hour, but Andrew felt every one of those sixty minutes.
Andrew walked down the hall with the gentlemen on their way to join the ladies in the drawing room. If not for the fact that he was going to see Brooke when he arrived there, he would have gone up to his room. Just the knowledge that she was in there, maybe even waiting for him, made him walk a little faster down the hall.
He was disappointed when he walked in the door and his eyes did a quick sweep of the room, revealing that Brooke was absent. He wandered around to make sure he hadn't just overlooked her, but that only confirmed that she wasn’t there.
It would seem impolite if he were to leave right away, so he made his rounds and politely inquired to Carolina about Brooke’s whereabouts.
“She complained of a headache a half hour ago,” Carolina told him stiffly, watching his face as he absorbed her words.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he murmured, and he was. He had wanted to talk to her and now it didn’t look like he’d get the chance. “If by chance you should see her tonight, please tell her I hope she feels better tomorrow.”
“I’ll be sure to let her know, my lord,” Carolina replied coolly before turning back to the ladies she had been speaking to before he interrupted her.
Andrew could tell her demeanor toward him had changed tonight, and he knew why. She probably assumed he was toying with her daughter’s affections. Any mother who was in her position would treat him the same. The truth was she had no reason to think otherwise.
After making small talk with a few others, he decided he would also go to bed. But first he needed to seek Alex out to confirm he was able to go on a tour of the grounds with him and Brooke tomorrow. Thinking of the tour made him inwardly smile. He had made up his mind earlier tonight that he was going to steal another kiss from her on the tour. With Alex acting as the chaperone, stealing a dozen kisses would pose no problem.
Alex had left the gentlemen before they had gone to the drawing room to meet up with the ladies. Andrew looked around and noticed that Alex wasn’t in the room, either. No matter. If Alex wasn’t here, he’d be in the library, most likely with his nose stuck in a book.
Andrew slipped from the room just before Lady Olivia could sink her talons into him again. Walking down the hall, he threw glances over his shoulder to make sure she had not followed him. He wouldn’t put it past her at this point to attempt getting caught alone with him. The thought made him shudder.
Andrew put his hand on the handle to the library door and was about to open it when he heard a female giggle erupt from inside. Stunned, he took a step back. He had no idea why Alex would choose to entertain a female companion in the library of all places. Personally, he could think of many better places to enjoy their company, but Alex was Alex.
Maybe it would be best to wait until breakfast to ask Alex, Andrew thought. He turned to walk away when he suddenly heard a familiar voice and his body froze.
Getting over his shock, he walked back to the door of the library with the intention of hearing the voice better. It had sounded light and musical, strangely like Brooke’s. He shook his head, why would Brooke be in the library with Alex? And what on earth in that room would she possibly find humorous?
He put his ear to the door so he could hear the voice again to either confirm or disprove his thoughts. When he heard the voice again he knew instantly it was Brooke. He couldn’t make out what she was saying, but he knew it was her and she had giggled about something—no, two somethings. He had clearly heard her laugh twice. Now her voice had taken on a different tone and so had Alex’s. Alex almost sounded on edge now.
Andrew fought the urge to swing open the door, barge in and demand to know what was going on, but his feet were rooted to the floor. Did he really want to know what was going on in there? He knew some people married their cousins. Was that what was this was? Were these two planning to make a match of it? No, that was impossible. They hardly knew each other. Plus, their interests were so opposite of each other they both would struggle in a marriage to each other.
Andrew heard a noise that sounded like a person walking toward the door and he quickly stepped aside.
The door flew open and through the shadows Andrew watched Brooke dash out of the library and run toward the staircase.
When she was out of sight, Andrew indulged his temper and barged in the library. “What was that about?” Andrew demanded curtly. He could feel the tension that had taken over his whole body. What was going on with these two?
“I should ask you what you’re about,” Alex shot back angrily.
“What I’m about? I’m not the one secretly meeting with a young lady in a library,” Andrew accused.
“Calm yourself, Andrew. I wasn’t doing anything utmost, unlike you.”
“Unlike me? What exactly are you insinuating?” Andrew’s voice filled with disbelief.
“You seem to be trifling with my cousin and I won’t countenance it.” Alex looked as if waiting for him to deny his charge.
Andrew just stared at him. “What do you mean trifling with her?”
“You were courting and kissing her in London, and now you’ve thrown her over for Lady Olivia.”
“She told you that?” Andrew asked, feeling his anger toward Alex dissolve. His anger in general hadn’t dissolved; it was now directed squarely at Lady Olivia for her role in the mess.
“If you're referring to her telling me you kissed her? Then yes, she told me about the museum. If you are referring to you throwing her over for Lady Olivia? Then yes, she told me about that, too.” His eyes still held their sharp edge. “Andrew, you might be my closest friend, but that doesn’t mean you have free reign to run over Brooke’s feelings with no consequences.”
Andrew didn’t want to know exactly what Alex meant by that comment, so he ignored it. “I didn’t throw Brooke over for Lady Olivia,” he said defensively. “This afternoon Lady Olivia made clear her intentions to woo me. She even had the balls to propose to me. Which, much to her dismay, I refused. Tonight in the drawing room she made up some outrageous story that I had asked to escort her to dinner and how I was backing out of it by escorting Brooke. I didn’t know what else to do; several people overheard this exchange including Lady Algen and Mr. Thomas who, as you know, are notorious gossips. I chose what I thought w
as the less damaging action: I took Brooke back to her parents and escorted Lady Olivia to dinner.”
“And you didn’t think this would affect Brooke?” Alex asked earnestly.
“It wasn’t until I saw Brooke’s face in the dining room that I realized how much I'd hurt her, but it was too late. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her during dinner. I had hoped to talk to her in the drawing room, but she'd already left by the time I got there. I decided it was best to talk to her tomorrow when I take her on a tour of the grounds.” Andrew sat down in a chair across from Alex. “That reminds me why I came to the library in the first place. I need you to accompany us tomorrow on a tour of the grounds. She won’t go without a chaperone and she has no maid.”
Alex’s eyes looked around the room for a few minutes before they settled back on Andrew’s. “Andrew, are your intentions toward Brooke honorable?” he asked quietly.
Andrew stiffened at Alex’s question. He wasn't sure how to answer. If he were to say the truth, which was a big fat no, Alex would not only refuse to help him tomorrow, but would probably have him thrown out of the party as well. On the other hand, if he said his intentions were honorable, Alex would expect an engagement to be announced soon; especially if Brooke was caught in a compromising situation, which was his plan. What a tangle.
Andrew stared at Alex’s imploring eyes and quietly asked, “What do you think?” It was the simple way to answer, it wasn’t a lie or the truth, he was just avoiding the question and relying on his gentleman’s honor to carry him through.
“I believe you have a serious interest in her, and I believe that you will make the right decisions where she is concerned.” Alex’s tone was still hard, but his face had softened considerably.
Andrew heard Alex’s words and knew what his friend was implying: if any harm, scandal or otherwise, were to fall upon Brooke, Alex expected him to do the right thing. He swallowed. He couldn’t back out now; he’d gone too far and too much was at stake. He’d just have to cross this bridge when he got to it.
And then burn it.
Chapter 16
Mama had not been the only one to check on Brooke before retiring for bed; both of her sisters had come, too.
Between the three of them, she was showered with more sympathy than she'd received in her entire life. All of them said they were sorry about what happened, they hadn’t expected the earl to treat her that way, and how horrid they thought Lady Olivia was.
She agreed wholeheartedly with Lady Olivia being horrid. Even if she had reasons for it, like Alex believed. That was no excuse. She was a wolf disguised in sheep’s clothing. Brooke was certain all those complaints and the like were just an act to cover up her true self.
As for the earl losing interest in her and tossing her aside for Lady Olivia, well, that was a different matter. She had a plan. She was going to win him back, and in such a way that Lady Olivia would have to go find another helpless soul to tether herself to. Andrew Black, Earl of Townson belonged to Brooke.
Brooke hadn’t told her sisters or Mama of her plan when they came to visit, she wasn’t sure they’d approve. Madison might not say anything, but Liberty and Mama would go into hysterics. They’d probably even be appalled at the idea of her flirting so outrageously in order to claim the man she loved. Loved? Could she? Is that why she hurt so badly when she saw him and Lady Olivia together? Is that why she had that hurting, angry, empty feeling in her chest? She would have to examine this more deeply later, because for now she had to get ready to go downstairs and break her fast.
All the way down the stairs she couldn’t help but hope he was in the breakfast room and would dine with her. She wondered why she was hoping for that as she reached the grand staircase. Why did this man stir these feelings? She wondered if they truly were feelings of love. How could they be? How could she love him so soon? The two of them had only spent a few afternoons together. But those afternoons had been so magical to her. She’d felt differently when Andrew had touched or kissed her than she had when any of the other London gentlemen had. Did that mean she loved him though?
Or were her feelings just an intense amount of jealousy? She was jealous of Lady Olivia. She knew she was, there was no point in denying it. If she wasn’t jealous, she would not be trying to hatch a plan to win him. But that didn’t mean she loved him, she decided.
She stuck to her decision for all of ten seconds, because when she walked into the breakfast room her decision wavered. Immensely.
Andrew was sitting at the end of the long table, his startling blue eyes trained on the door. When she walked in, he jumped up and with a bone-melting smile, asked her to join him.
After Brooke filled her plate at the sidebar, she sat down next to Andrew and felt her skin growing warmer.
“I trust you slept well,” he said casually.
“I did. And you?” she asked lightly, wishing they could avoid trivial small talk.
“Yes. I spoke to Alex last night,” he told her, his lips twitching a little, like he knew a secret he wasn’t going to share. “He has agreed to go with us following breakfast to look over the grounds.”
Brooke smiled brightly. She had to start thinking of what she was going to do and say during the tour to get his attention back. “I’m glad you remembered that you had offered,” she said shortly.
“I would never forget a promise I made to such a fine lady as yourself,” he replied, his voice had taken on a silky tone.
“Good. See that you are able to keep all your promises in the future,” she shot back sternly. Just because he had remembered the promise he had actually made to her, her wounded feelings were not forgotten.
“I wanted to take you to dinner last night. I never made such a proclamation to Lady Olivia, but she had me trapped. I would not like to have embarrassed her by pointing out before all of those people that I had not indicated a wish for her company at dinner,” he said apologetically.
His words brought Brooke up short. That was precisely what Alex had told her. Andrew’s honor would not allow others to be embarrassed, nor would he himself purposely embarrass anyone else. She had believed it for the most part last night, but it made her feel much better to hear him say it. But just to be sure she asked, “Are you telling me you have no interest whatsoever in Lady Olivia?”
“None,” he said simply, looking straight into her eyes as he said it.
“I am happy to hear that.” And she was, too. Actually, relieved was a better description.
“Now that we have that settled, are you ready to embark on our tour?”
Brooke gestured to her plate where she still had half of a pear slice sitting there beckoning for her to eat it. “I should like to finish my pear then we may be on our way.”
“All right, you finish your breakfast and I’ll go locate Alex. He finished eating before you came down. He’s most likely in the library reading,” he said as he got up from the table.
“Where shall I meet you?”
“Just stay here, we’ll be back in a matter of minutes.”
Once he had left, she finished her pear slice and began to dream about their tour. Would he try anything? He hadn’t tried to push his leg against hers during breakfast the way he had done previously, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try anything while they were on their tour. Would he try to kiss her on the tour?
She sat there with a little smile playing on her lips because she had decided yes, he was going to kiss her again. She would see to it that he tried. She was also going to make sure he didn’t get his kiss, at least not right away.
Brooke woke from her whimsical trance when she heard footfalls coming from the hallway. That must be them, she thought excitedly. They have returned, and now they could go on their tour.
Nobody else in the room seemed aware of the excitement Brooke was having, but several heads turned in her direction when they heard her gasp at the sight of the group that entered the breakfast room.
Alex walked in first, his face contorted in a
way that made clear his irritation.
Following him was Andrew, Lady Olivia clutching his arm as if she were clinging onto a lifeline she'd been tossed while drowning in the Thames.
“A tour you say,” Lady Olivia cooed. “I should like to join you. Please allow me this great pleasure. I need only break my fast, nothing more; then I shall be ready to go.” Her words were directed at Andrew, but her smug smile was directed straight at Brooke.
Andrew walked her over to the sideboard to help her with her plate. “All right,” he agreed, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.
Alex sat down next to Brooke. “I’m just as displeased by these developments as you are,” he mumbled and made a sour face.
Brooke took pleasure in his statement, misery loves company after all.
The four of them sat in silence. Brooke was scowling. Alex looked annoyed. Andrew’s face was getting more rigid with each passing second. Lady Olivia was the only one who seemed to be enjoying the situation, of course that was because she was the center of everyone’s attention.
When Lady Olivia had finally taken her last bite and wiped her mouth for what seemed like the fiftieth time, she announced, “That was most excellent. I am now refreshed enough to go about our tour.”
“You ate enough to be refreshed to walk to the nearest village and back without needing anymore refreshment,” Brooke mumbled under her breath.
Alex heard her and chuckled.
Brooke flushed embarrassedly, but neither Andrew nor Lady Olivia gave any indication of hearing what she'd said.
Andrew stood first. “Alex, I forgot something in your library, would you mind helping me locate it before we go?”
