He sensed Lady Aubrey’s unease throughout the rest of the performance and wanted to curse when she quickly dismissed herself after the final applause. That same curse formed on his lips when his body tightened at the sight of her swaying hips.
He needed to push Lady Aubrey out of his mind and focus on what he had come here to do.
“My brother should be back momentarily. I hope it isn’t too much of an imposition to keep me company for a few more moments,” Lady Victoria said silkily.
It was the last thing he wanted to do, but manners dictated that he was stuck for a few more minutes. Precious minutes that he could have used to discover the masked woman.
“It would be my pleasure,” he finally said, though it was the complete opposite from what he felt.
“Thank you. I hope you enjoyed the performance. You seemed rather entranced by it.” It wasn’t difficult to catch the edge in her voice. Had she sensed his attraction to Lady Aubrey?
“Yes I did. Lady Elinor has a singular voice.”
“Indeed. I wish I had half the talent.”
He felt a gentlemanly comment form in his mind, the comment that was expected of him, but he just couldn’t give it. “Few do.”
He felt a corner of his mouth quirk at the annoyance she tried to keep from her face. Did she think she could manage him? He wanted to laugh. People had tried to manage him since birth, and no one had been able to. A petty woman looking for a husband wasn’t much of an opponent compared to the greedy, self-serving men he often avoided.
“Ah, I see your brother has returned.”
Viscount Lawrence rejoined them, taking Lady Victoria’s vacant seat. “I apologize for my absence. I assume Lady Elinor was as spectacular as ever?”
Bradford nodded, grateful to have him as a buffer. “Quite. She seems to get better every time she performs.” He paused for a moment. “I hope all is well. I assume that no one is ill since you aren’t in haste to leave.”
“A small problem is all. It should be righted by morning.” He grinned, downplaying the urgency in which he left the performance. “I am glad I was able to return before you left, I had hoped to issue an invitation to you in person. It has been some time since I’ve had a gathering at my estate, and I was hoping to get a small party away for two weeks. May I count on you as a guest?”
The thought of leaving for the country appealed to him, but he had to find the woman. What excuse should he give? His search for the lady was not something he wanted Lady Victoria to find out about. He could only imagine the sabotage she would employ to deter him from his goal.
“Would you not miss the ladies?” Viscount Lawrence was as good looking as his sister and was known to be much favored amongst the women in the ton. With his raven hair and crystal blue eyes paired with his charming persona, there weren’t many women willing to turn away from him.
Viscount Lawrence grinned knowingly. He had no doubts as to his reputation. “I had hoped to include as many ladies as I do gentlemen. I don’t intend for this to be a hunting party.”
Those words had him postponing his regrets. Should he accept? It was just as likely that the lady would be included in Viscount Lawrence’s invitation as not. If he chose to stay in town, he could lose the opportunity of the intimate surroundings the country would offer.
It was more likely that if she were included, that he would recognize her in the relaxed atmosphere than in the large, formal gatherings of the ton.
About to give his answer, he heared the rustling of skirts followed by the crisp scent of apples. Good Lord, she even smelled like them. All thoughts of finding the other woman left his mind as Lady Aubrey took her seat beside him.
“Lady Aubrey, how well you look this evening.” Viscount Lawrence offered her a grin that had most women drooling. Bradford had an overwhelming desire to glare at the man, but quickly suppressed the urge.
A tinge crested her cheeks, making her appear more ravishing than before. “Thank you, my lord. You are most kind.”
“I speak only the truth.” He threw her one last grin, and Bradford decided to ignore it since the Viscount didn’t show any interest other than flirting. “Now, back to the house party. I thought it might be nice to get away from the constant musicales and soirees, no matter how delightful. Can I count you in our numbers, Wathersby?”
With a nod, he accepted. It was too good of an opportunity to find the woman and get to know her in such a relaxed atmosphere to refuse. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Excellent.”
The gleam that entered Lady Victoria’s eyes was enough to make him shudder. He had no idea what plans she was concocting, but he knew none of them would be good. Her interference could make his search more difficult, but he had no doubt that he could handle Lady Victoria.
Viscount Lawrence’s grin returned to Lady Aubrey. “Your family has been invited as well, Lady Aubrey. I expect your invitation will arrive on the morrow.”
“I’m delighted. I must confer with my family but I believe you may count on our attendance.”
The joy in her voice had his muscles clenching. Why her acceptance shot relief through him he couldn’t say, but it worried him slightly. She was lovely, but he couldn’t be distracted by her. He had given a pledge to another woman just last night. He was true to his word. There wouldn’t be another for him besides her.
Why, then, was his desire for Lady Aubrey so raw, so elemental, his mind teased.
Unable to stop himself, he looked at her, soaking her up one last time.
Her eyes met his. He thought he saw a flicker of longing in her eyes to match his own, but it was quickly snuffed out.
“If you will excuse me, I have an appointment that I must leave for,” he heard himself say lamely.
“Of course. I’ll see you at my estate in a week.” Viscount Lawrence bowed his head.
Whatever had been constricting his breath seemed to loosen as he moved closer toward the door. At least it did before he glanced back and saw the stricken look on Lady Aubrey’s face. He didn’t know what had caused it, but it moved something within him. Turning back toward the doorway, he rubbed the sudden ache in his heart.
CHAPTER 4
As Viscount Lawrence predicted, the invitation to his house party arrived at the Langston residence the next day. With the prospect of a large group of unmarried men under the same roof as her two unmarried daughters, Aubrey’s mother was in a frenzy. This was apparently the opportunity that her mother had been waiting for to find perfect matches for her daughters. At no other time was it allowed to have such close contact with members outside their family. And the close bonds that could form between a man and a woman at such a party had her mother completely occupied with overseeing the packing of their belongings with enthusiasm.
In fact, Aubrey was glad for the peace and quiet she would receive in the country. Just the thought of what she had been through to prepare for the two weeks of husband hunting this invitation provided, had her bending over with fatigue.
The only positive aspect of it was that she had been unable to dwell on what had happened, or rather what had not happened, between herself and Bradford. However, with several hours of travel ahead of them, there was little else to do but think of the upcoming meeting she would have with the duke.
She had already accepted how naïve she had been to believe he would recognize her and confess his undying devotion. One night couldn’t erase all of the years she had known him, all the years he had felt nothing for her.
Maybe her sister’s optimism had rubbed off on her. Charlotte was just entering society and would undoubtedly receive an obscene amount of proposals. But Aubrey couldn’t afford to dream like that. She had been out for several years and had only ever received one proposal from a fortune hunter that had made it clear he was forced to extend such an offer.
She had promised to stay a spinster if marrying someone like him was the alternative. In fact, she had become somewhat resigned to such a fate.
At lea
st she had until she had been kissed by Bradford.
She hadn’t felt the same since. It had been little over a week and she could still remember the feeling of his arms around her, the spicy scent of his skin, and the rich taste of his lips. It had been more than she had ever imagined she could feel in a man’s arms.
And she wanted to feel it again.
It was hopeless. If she hadn’t learned that during last week’s musicale, she needed to. At that moment the cloudy sky erupted, dumping buckets of water onto their moving vehicle. The horses slowed, finding the instant mud under their hooves difficult to maneuver through.
Her mother looked up from her needlepoint. “Oh dear, I fear this weather will make us quite late for dinner this evening.”
Charlotte smiled as if the weather was a boon. “If anything, it will make our entrance all the grander for being the last to arrive.”
“Quite right, my dear,” her mother said with growing enthusiasm. “All eyes shall be on the two of you.”
Charlotte bounced with excitement at the prospect, but Aubrey didn’t join her. All she wanted was peace and time to recuperate in the country. Bradford had unlocked a longing within her that she hadn’t known existed. She needed to find a way to close it off and resettle her mind back to a life of spinsterhood. It was too dangerous for her well being to believe, even for a moment, that there might be a chance at happiness with Bradford.
While her sister would be pursuing a marriage with one of the bachelors at the party, Aubrey had every intention of escaping into the serene outdoors as often as possible.
The rain finally stopped after a few hours, the clouds parting to show a glimpse of the setting sun. With any luck they would be late enough where they would need to take a dinner tray in their rooms.
They weren’t so lucky.
Eager to be out of the confines of the carriage, her family waited for the footman to open the door, but just barely. Fortunately, the rain had let up and they were able to walk into the Viscount’s estate without the aid of an umbrella.
“Good Evening, I am Laverston, the Viscount’s butler. Allow me to show you to your rooms.”
Laughter echoed from down the hallway where the other guests were assembling for conversation before they entered the dining room.
“What time will dinner be served?” her mother asked, clearly wanting to join the group.
“In forty-five minutes. If it pleases you, I will inform my lord that you will join them.”
Her mother looked over her two daughters, beginning at the top of their heads and ending at the hem of their skirts. “I believe we shall have enough time to change and freshen up. Please inform the Viscount we will join the party.”
“Right away, my lady.”
Charlotte and Aubrey were to share a room during their stay, which didn’t bother Aubrey in the slightest. If she were forced to endure another’s company, she could do far worse than her excited sister.
Her mother nodded in approval at the pastel colors that dominated the room. Aubrey knew that her mother favored lighter colors, garnished with a touch of lace. “We will be in the room across the hall from you. I’ll send Bitsy in as soon as she is finished unpacking a gown for myself,” she said before leaving quickly to attend to her own appearance.
“Are you unhappy to be here, Aubrey? You were very quiet throughout the journey.” Charlotte looked over her shoulder as she began to untie her laces.
Moving toward her, Aubrey swatted her sister’s arms out of the unnatural position. “Here, let me help you with that.”
“Thanks.”
“And it’s not that I am unhappy. In fact, it is nice to be back in the country air again. I was just lost in thought.”
“Is something the matter?”
It would be so easy to tell her sister everything that had happened between Bradford and herself. She would understand, empathize with her. But Aubrey couldn’t bring herself to confide in her sister.
What had happened between them on the terrace was like a dream. It was special, private. And she didn’t want to share it with anyone.
Besides, she couldn’t bear to see the look of pity on her sister’s face. There wasn’t anything that could happen between the two of them and Aubrey knew it. Her sister would too.
“Not at all. Just a bit tired. Mother has been ordering the household around like a general in battle all week. I’ll be grateful to take to my bed tonight.”
Charlotte chuckled at the analogy. “Mother has been truly fearsome. I hope to never be on an opposing side from her. I would be destroyed.”
While they poked fun at their mother, Bitsy entered and the whirlwind of silk and petticoats began.
With two minutes to spare, their family descended the staircase and was led to the rest of the group.
The conversation quieted as they entered the room, waiting for her family to be announced. The tingling feeling she had had before the masquerade returned. Odd.
Everyone knew who she was. The mask was off. But there was definitely something in the air. Something heavily charged and ready to strike at a moments notice.
“The Viscount and Viscountess Norcliff, Lady Aubrey, and Lady Charlotte,” a liveried servant announced in the doorway.
After a few nods of greeting, many people turned back to their conversations. While her parents spoke with an older gentleman, whose name escaped her at the moment, Aubrey glanced around the room to take stock of the other guests. And to look for him.
Most of the people there were whom she expected to see. A mix of eligible bachelors and heiresses were scattered amongst their families and chaperones. The occasional widow was thrown into the mixture, no doubt to create a little diversity among the guests.
Lady Victoria was in a corner, speaking softly with another gentleman. But that gentleman didn’t happen to be the duke. Where was he? Had he not arrived yet?
“Dinner is served,” another servant announced.
Forgoing tradition, couples filed into the room regardless of rank and found their assigned seats.
Arm and arm with her sister, she was pleased to see that they were seated in the middle of the table. In her opinion, the middle was always the best because conversation from either end of the table could be listened to. It didn’t matter how dull your dinner companions were next to you if you could join in with others.
After a servant assisted her into her chair, she was pleased to find an elderly gentleman next to her. While he may lack in conversation at points, elderly people didn’t care for the confinement of propriety and tended to say or do things that were outside of what was acceptable. Which made them all the more fun.
However, to the left of her, the chair was empty and she was left staring at Lady Victoria on the other side of the empty seat. Great.
Standing at the head of the table, Viscount Lawrence gestured for the men to take their seats. “I am grateful that everyone has arrived in safety this day, and I hope that the next two weeks will be both entertaining and relaxing.” He smiled cheerfully to the group in front of him and Aubrey was surprised to see a dimple flash in his cheek. “I must apologize to my sister and Lady Aubrey for the empty seat between them. The Duke of Wathersby was delayed by some business, but I have been informed that he will join us shortly.” As he tilted his head to look over the group, his damp black hair shimmered in the candlelight like shiny ink. “Enjoy your meal, and may this be the first of many fine evenings together.” He finally took his seat and raised his glass to drink to his toast. Many followed suit, tasting the tart white wine.
Glancing to the open seat again, her eyes met Lady Victoria’s before she pointedly turned away, clearly snubbing Aubrey.
Aubrey couldn’t care less. The woman was not someone she wanted to speak with or even pretend politeness with. It was best to let Lady Victoria take the brunt of criticism for her rudeness than for Aubrey to be moved to violence. On more than one occasion, Aubrey had felt compelled to slap her. Fortunately, she had always be
en able to reign in that impulse.
Soup was served with fanfare as the servants moved quickly, but also quietly, through the room. The spicy vegetable flavor was magnificent, and Aubrey couldn’t help but feel grateful for the fantastic chef she would obviously be enjoying over the next two weeks.
“The Duke of Wathersby,” a servant announced from the doorway.
Aubrey’s heart leaped into her throat. He was here. Glancing up at him, she felt her heart jumpstart, racing so fiercely she was worried others in the room would hear it.
Dressed in his evening wear, she couldn’t imagine a man more handsome than he. His fitted coat, closely tailored so that it emphasized the breadth of his shoulders, showcased the thickness of his arms. The pure white neckcloth was starched to straight points, drawing the eye up to his chiseled facial features. His jaw was pleasantly square, giving him the appearance of dependability. His light brown eyebrows, which matched the exact tone of his hair, crested over kind eyes. There wasn’t anything cunning or devious in the duke. He was everything a man ought to be.
And completely out of her reach.
Viscount Lawrence stood in greeting. “Wathersby, how fortunate. Come join us.” He held out is hand, offering the chair between Lady Victoria and Lady Aubrey.
“Thank you,” he said graciously, only hesitating for a moment when he caught sight of Lady Victoria.
Aubrey quickly smiled into her napkin. If Lady Victoria had seen his reaction to her, she was pretending that nothing was out of the ordinary. She wouldn’t care if the duke liked her or not, nothing would interfere with her plans to have him.
The conversation around the table resumed once he had taken his seat.
Taking a bracing sip, Aubrey tried to still her nerves. She had thought that the next time she saw him, she would have her feelings under control, but her body seemed to mock her. Her stomach kept turning over, flipping in knots. Would she always feel this way around him?
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