The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series)

by Hilden, L. A.

  She hated his controlling ways, his tendency to order her around as if he owned her. “No,” she said calmly. “I think I will stay, thank you very much.” She stood, and this time she moved far enough out of his way to avoid his reach. “I appreciate the warning. Nevertheless, I’m not dimwitted and so your appearance wasn’t necessary. I do not like to be ordered about, which I’m sure holds more true for women in general than you can guess. Perhaps I will be able to give the authorities some useful information.” With that said, she yanked open the door, took one last look around the conservatory, and with a firm nod of approval at what she saw, she left.

  Paxton sighed loudly and went to follow her. “Hell and damnation! She’s impossible!”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  For the rest of the night, Paxton watched Eve flirt outrageously with the count. Finally, unable to tolerate another moment of such a display, he went out on the veranda for some air. It was chilly, and so he found himself, thankfully, alone. After a while, he heard a couple approaching and he slipped into the shadows behind a baluster. He was not in the mood for conversation, nor was he ready to return to the party and watch Eve fawn all over the count. He should make his leave but was reluctant to leave her alone.

  It was then that he realized it was Eve and Count Vernon who had escaped to the outdoors. What the hell is Eve doing traipsing off alone with that scoundrel? They spoke in whispers and he cursed the fact that he could not hear them, but at least he could see them.

  ***

  Eve was growing tired of working her wiles on Henri. He had yet to tell her anything useful. He needed to trust her enough to confide in her, and there wasn’t enough time for her to create that kind of trust, at least not with simple conversation. Henri put both his hands on the stone railing as he looked over the Talisman’s yard. Eve shivered as a cool breeze flowed over them. She wanted desperately to learn something useful about the count, to prove to Paxton that she was not only a capable woman but intelligent enough to trick Henri and stay out of harm’s way.

  She leaned her body toward Henri, acting as if she sought his warmth.

  Henri immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. When he did so, Eve leaned into his touch, smiling at him teasingly. “You are an extremely handsome man, my fair count.”

  He complimented her beauty absently and continued to look at a copse of trees off in the distance.

  “Thank you.” She ran her fingers down his arm, trying to gain his attention.

  ***

  Henri would have had to be blind not to notice the devotion Lady Evelyn was bestowing upon him this night, and he grew curious by her behavior toward him for she had never paid him this much attention. But, he reminded himself, who could say? Women were daft, and it was tiring and useless to speculate on their thought processes. Instead, he decided to come right to the point. “What are you playing at, Lady Evelyn?”

  Lady Evelyn blinked her eyes innocently and then softly answered, “I don’t think it would be proper for me to ask for a compliment from you.”

  Not wishing to play games, Henri grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her up against the railing, knowing she could feel the coldness of the banister through her gown. She seemed to prepare herself for a fierce embrace and was clearly surprised when he gently brought his mouth down upon hers, giving into manly need that was as old as time.

  “Is this what you wanted, ma petite?” He broke away for a second to ask, and then went to continue his assault. Although she had tried to turn her head, he would not allow it. He promised himself he wouldn’t respond to an English wench, but this one was definitely the exception, so lovely and soft in all the right places. He didn’t need this provocation, though. He wanted her to be his distraction so others wouldn’t notice him. He certainly didn’t need her distracting him from his mission. He was in England for one reason and one reason only and meant to follow through with his plans.

  There it was. His signal, a birdcall heard in the distance. He thought Lady Evelyn heard the call too, but she said nothing. When the bird called out again, he quickly backed away.

  “If you’ll excuse me, Lady Evelyn. Nature calls.” Henri wanted to laugh at his play on words but held back. “I will return shortly. I think it would be best if you waited for me inside where it’s warmer. I would hate for you to catch a chill.”

  Taking back his coat, he walked into the darkness toward the copse of trees. At first he had the strangest inclination that Lady Evelyn would follow him. The last thing he needed was some stupid English lady botching his plans. Then he realized he was being overly suspicious. The silly chit wasn’t about to chase after him to watch him drain his tally whacker. As the calling bird grew louder, he knew he was near his destination. “Merdi, David. Would you quit whistling before others decide to investigate?”

  ***

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Paxton came out of the shadows and Eve jumped at the question hissed at her with such anger.

  The Earl of Devonhurst looked livid as he came toward her. Her brain yelled at her to run and run fast, but her heart sped up at the mere sight of him and she stood rooted in place. As he came to hover near her, she took a small step back. She had never seen him this irate, and the sight was indeed frightening.

  She assumed his anger was due to the dreadful kiss she shared with Henri. Eve had tried to get Henri to release her, and she had wiped the count’s touch from her lips the moment he went off chasing after some silly whistle. Eve almost mentioned the oddness of hearing a bird to Henri, but she realized playing dumb was a wiser strategy when it came to the Frenchman. Nevertheless, everyone knows few birds call out in the night, and the sound she had heard wasn’t the cry of an owl or any other night bird she had ever heard.

  She looked at the furious expression on the Earl of Devonhurst’s face. She hadn’t known how else to gain the count’s attention and trust if she didn’t feign attraction to him, but kissing him had not been her intent. Surely Paxton understood this. She assumed he witnessed the disgusting overture and was jealous of her encounter with the count. It was the second objectionable kiss she had suffered through on a balcony, and Paxton had witnessed both. Although she had not encouraged the retched duke’s forced kiss, she had indirectly encouraged Henri’s. She wrinkled her nose in distaste that she had to suffer through a kiss with an enemy to her country for the good of the commonwealth.

  “A gentleman would not hide in the darkness and not make his presence known.” His presence alone would have prevented Henri from accosting her in such a manner and she didn’t like the fact that he had stayed hidden. She feigned outrage at his actions, but in truth she was more appalled by her own.

  “You have gone completely mad! What kind of game are you playing?”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “Don’t play coy with me, Eve. I saw you. You enjoyed the Frog’s kiss. You think him a villain and yet fall willingly into his arms.”

  She could only hope his watchfulness and protection proof that Paxton wanted her. At the same time, she was reminded that he didn’t love her in return and her happiness disappeared. According to her mother’s wisdom, desire and love didn’t have to synchronize. This thought angered Eve and she found herself wanting to hurt him in return. She wanted the earl to feel a little heartache for the rejection she felt by him. “The kiss? Yes, well, I won’t deny it. The count is a fine kisser.” She hesitated and then hurriedly added, “You saw it, and so I guess you know it was quite nice.” She shrugged as if kissing men on balconies was a normal occurrence for her. Surely he saw me push Henri away.

  She flinched at his hateful look. Perhaps lying about my feelings toward the encounter with Henri wasn’t such a good idea, but Paxton angered me first. Truthfully, she had felt fear when Henri kissed her, but she didn’t tell Paxton this. She had only leaned into Henri when her fear
made her body lurch in his direction. She had quickly pushed away from him. She didn’t care for Paxton’s disgust and wished her mother were here to give her some needed advice for she was unsure how to handle the Earl of Devonhurst. She willed herself not to burst into tears. I was trying to do the right thing. Did he not see that?

  Paxton stared at her wordlessly, his fists clenched at his sides. She didn’t know what else to say and wished she could take back her words, but it was too late. Giving her one last evil glare, he turned and left. Instead of using the steps provided, he jumped over the railing of the veranda. Making his way to his vehicle, he leapt inside, cursing the day he ever met Lady Evelyn Manning. She could hear his disparaging remarks through the darkness, and her heart splintered. She fought off the urge to sink to the ground in despair. She had a horrible feeling she destroyed whatever feelings Paxton may have had for her.

  ***

  Eve stayed out on the veranda contemplating the cruelty of her words. She hadn’t meant to be crass with him. She was mad at herself for wanting him so much and blamed him for not feeling the same. She knew want was the right word, for it was obvious they both desired each other, but Paxton just didn’t want her for a wife, and that hurt.

  Deciding to move her mind away from him, she turned her attention to Henri. He was taking an awfully long time in the trees. She looked off at the clump of towering oaks standing in the distance. The birdcall had come from the same direction the count had taken. Knowing it couldn’t have been a bird, she decided to investigate.

  She snuck to the trees as quietly as she could, grateful for the breeze that caused the leaves to rustle. She hoped the leafy disturbance was enough to cover up the sound of her footsteps. She hid herself behind one of the large oaks, scared to breathe. Peeking around the trunk, she saw Henri speaking to a man who looked like one of England’s undesirables. The man’s clothes were in tatters and he seemed hunched over as he peered up at Henri in frustration. She ducked back behind the tree and concentrated on listening to their voices. They spoke in French, but then, Eve understood French quite well.

  ***

  “So all you found out was that they increased the number of garrisons along the coast lines, but you didn’t find out their locations? Did you find out why they are still strengthening border control?”

  “How the hell should I know? The English are tight-lipped. And I might remind you that they are aware I’m French. This doesn’t encourage them to share military secrets in my presence,” Henri said heatedly.

  David, also known as the mole, knew how to go undercover and not be caught. He had dealt with Henri’s kind before, men who thought they could lie so well that no one would ever think they were infiltrators. It was this same arrogant breed that usually ended up behind prison walls. David was one of France’s best spies and he didn’t appreciate Henri’s snide remarks. If he didn’t need the man, he would have put a bullet in him there and then. “It looked to me like you were enjoying a bit of manly sport before I interrupted you. Be sure you remember that our job comes before your prick.”

  “A man does find it necessary to have his needs met on occasion.”

  “Don’t forget where your priorities lie.”

  Henri grunted. A stick snapped in the distance, and the men turned to see Lady Evelyn running back toward the manor.

  “Now you’ve done it! You let that English bitch follow you!” Mole pulled out his gun and handed it to Henri. “Kill her!”

  “Tu es con! I don’t need a gun! I have other ways of dealing with a mere silly female.”

  Henri took off at a run to find the girl before she caused any trouble.

  ***

  Eve was running scared. That confounded stick had given her away. She was smart enough to realize that she was now in serious danger. She had not dared to stop to retrieve her cloak, or to inform Lady Lydia of her early departure. She walked as fast as she could without causing too much of a stir through the ballroom and out the front door. She practically catapulted herself into the safety of a hack and shouted for the driver to hurry. She cursed Paxton for being right. She should have stayed out of the count’s affairs.

  “Where to, milady?” the driver hollered back.

  Eve looked around frantically. Oh my god, we aren’t moving. “Anywhere, just go!” As the driver sped away, she loudly uttered the address she wanted.

  ***

  The Witley household was in complete disarray. The Countess of Devonhurst, Lady Veronica, had stopped for an unexpected visit. Her luggage was piled ceiling high and her servants stood behind her as she looked around the London manor. She huffed at James while he ordered various servants to do her bidding. Being the ever-dutiful butler, James did the tasks effortlessly and didn’t even show the slightest inkling of surprise at the countess’s surprise visit.

  “Where is my son?” Veronica asked with an air of authority as she delicately removed her gloves one finger at a time.

  “I do not know his whereabouts, my lady. Would you care for some tea?”

  Veronica slapped her gloves in his chest, indicating that he should put them away. “Why are you not informed of his whereabouts, James? Perchance you are slipping in your duties?”

  James flinched at the insult as if she smacked him. “He left in quite a hurry, my lady, forgetting to inform me of his schedule.”

  Veronica harrumphed and walked into the ladies sitting room at the back of the house, James close behind her. She noticed a few subtle changes, a new chair, a new tapestry, a couple of Ming vases, but aside from that, the room looked the same as when she last saw it. She sat down on the plush royal blue sofa. “I assume my son has the master suite. See that my luggage is put in the adjoining chamber. I’m sure the room is still unoccupied since my unappreciative son refuses to wed.”

  James nodded. “I will see it done, my lady.”

  Like most of the staff, James was well aware of the countess’s resentment toward her son’s bachelorhood. She felt it Paxton’s duty to beget an heir, and she deemed his lack of concern for fulfilling that duty disrespectful to his father and unappreciative to his title. Since servants were aware of the importance of maintaining the lineage, she saw no reason not to speak of her irritation.

  “I would like some tea, James, and see that my daughter is fetched.” Veronica waved him off to do her bidding. When he continued to stand there, she lifted her brow in question. “Well, what is it now, James?”

  “I regret to inform you that Lady Lydia is not in the residence, madam. She has chosen to stay with your niece the Duchess of Arlington to help with redecorating.” James backed up a few steps after this announcement.

  “I travel all the way from Bath and you are telling me that neither of my children are here to greet me?” She scowled. “And it’s cold in here.”

  “I will have a fire lit.” James immediately began to stack wood on the grate.

  ***

  A couple of hours later, James was ready to quit his beloved position. The countess was making so many changes that his head was spinning. She kept shoving lists of things she needed into his hands, things she wanted done to the manor, things that had to be immediately moved to the attic, and foods that she wanted prepared. Amidst all this chaos there was a knock at the door. James was happy for a respite, however short, and went to open the door.

  He was shocked to find a trembling woman standing alone on the landing. Her skirts were soiled and a few leaves held onto the hemline. “Yes?” he asked, looking down his nose at her, indicating his displeasure at finding an unchaperoned and filthy woman on the stoop.

  ***

  Eve nodded at the Earl of Devonhurst’s discerning butler. She was well aware that it was strictly forbidden for a lady of quality to approach a man’s residence unescorted, but at this point, she could not have cared less about the proprieties of Society. Her life
was at stake. “Is his lordship home?”

  The butler looked affronted and he glared at her with obvious disdain. “This is a respectful household. Take yourself elsewhere.” He went to close the door in her face but she threw her body into the door. The butler’s mouth fell open in surprise.

  Eve was growing angrier by the second. She was scared and she needed help. She could not allow this man to turn her away. “Listen, if you don’t admit me, I will sit on this porch all night shouting continually for his lordship. Is that the kind of attention you want for your respectful household?” Eve’s voice dripped sarcasm.

  She nearly smiled when the butler sputtered in response, not knowing how to respond to her threat.

  “For goodness sakes, James, who is it?” a voice asked.

  “It is nothing to concern yourself with, my lady,” the butler answered over his shoulder, trying to block the woman from Eve’s view.

  Eve leaned more heavily on the door. “Who is that if not his lordship’s guest?” She pushed harder trying to see inside the house.

  The butler tried to hold back the door, but the person behind him had approached and obviously yanked it open. Eve fell into the entryway. She scrambled to her feet and quickly dusted herself off to find dozens of eyes staring at her.

  “All of you back to work!” the butler shouted at the curious staff.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Eve found herself face to face with the Countess of Devonhurst, Veronica Witley, Paxton and Lydia’s mother. She noted that the countess didn’t share much resemblance to her dark-haired children. She was fair skinned with blond hair and blue eyes, but she was petite in frame like her daughter. Eve thought she looked too young to have given birth to Paxton and Lydia. She wouldn’t have even guessed it was their mother if the stuffy butler didn’t immediately announce her presence after Eve had picked herself up from the floor.