Devin found his aunt in the parlor. She was a good ten years younger than Donald, still trim of figure, no gray yet in her black hair. She had two guests, though one was probably a client, he surmised, since the woman held a dog in her arms and seemed hesitant to set it down with so many other dogs in the room. Lydia might have other pastimes, but training and breeding dogs was her favorite, and at least a half dozen dogs and puppies always littered the house. Three of them were lying at her feet, another was curled into the corner of the sofa, and two young ones were fighting over a scrap of lace they’d found somewhere in the house. The other guest, a younger woman, was bent down laughing at the puppies’ antics.
Lydia stood up. “Devin, allow me to introduce Lady Brown and her daughter Jacinda. They were just leaving, though Jacinda mentioned knowing you.”
Devin didn’t recognize the young woman, but didn’t embarrass her by saying so. “A pleasure, ladies,” he said with a slight bow.
Jacinda had straightened and now gave him a slow smile. Taller than her mother, lithe, she was quite pretty with her blond hair and brown eyes, so he knew he wouldn’t have forgotten her if they had actually met before. Young enough to be one of the ton’s debutantes this season, she had an intriguing, sensual glint in her eyes as she looked him over. He wouldn’t have expected a debutante to look at a man that way.
Her mother was eager to leave and said as she started for the door, “Thank you again, Lydia. I will remember to trim her nails more often now.”
Devin was disconcerted until he realized the woman was talking about her dog, not her daughter!
The girl walked past him a little too closely as she followed her mother. “A shame you didn’t return home sooner,” she whispered in a pouting tone.
He always tried to be polite to his aunt’s clients, but this might have to be an exception. This girl was obviously trouble, the sort he steered clear of.
“Where do you know me from?” he asked bluntly.
“I don’t. But I’ve heard so much about the infamous Cupid, it seems like we’ve already met!”
“Jacinda, come along,” Lady Brown called from the hall.
Jacinda sighed. “I hope I’ll see you at the Hammonds’ upcoming ball. I will reserve more’n one dance for you so we can . . . get acquainted.”
That pause was a little too long. Devin shook his head. “I highly doubt that’s going to happen. Run along, your mother is waiting.”
She smiled, then sauntered out of the room with a sexy swaying of her hips. Devin rolled his eyes.
Lydia returned a moment later to complain with a laugh, “Lady Brown thought I was a dog doctor! But I was still able to help. Her poor dog was limping because she’s never once trimmed its nails. Oh, before I forget, the front door was quite busy today, much much more than usual.”
“I noticed the stack of invitations in the hall has doubled in size.”
Lydia gave him a lovely smile. “I’m not surprised. Look how handsome you turned out. Hostesses in this town must love you. Meeting anyone I should know about?”
Devin almost laughed. His aunt would be pleased if he married and gave her some babies to fuss over. Oddly enough, she didn’t view his illegitimacy as an obstacle, but then she was quite certain it would never come to light. She and Donald had made sure of that. But they didn’t know that while he didn’t care what most people thought, he couldn’t take that cavalier attitude into a marriage. Yet they did expect him to marry to carry on the family name. He couldn’t do it, not unless he could find a woman who wouldn’t care what his mother had been.
“It’s Cupid who’s getting all those invitations, Aunt Lydia.”
She rolled her eyes at him. His aunt and uncle had both laughed uproariously when he’d told them about the nickname he’d garnered. “Don’t you believe it,” she said. “You’re an eligible bachelor, that’s getting you invites. And I hope you took my advice and remembered to order some formal attire for this Season. Two of those invitations in that pile are to upcoming balls.”
Bloody hell, he’d forgot. He didn’t own a single set of fancy evening clothes. “I’ve been busy. ’Fraid it slipped my mind.”
She gasped. “Devin!”
Chapter Eleven
AMANDA WAS PRACTICALLY TIPTOEING out of the house. Her father would have to pick that exact moment to leave his study and notice her making her way to the front door.
“Where are you off to, m’dear?”
She couldn’t tell him! If she failed at her mission, she’d have to admit it, and that wouldn’t do a’tall. So without actually lying, she mentioned the other things on her agenda that she did plan to do later that day.
“A walk while the sun is out. A quick visit to Lilly’s house to let Rebecca and Rue know I’ve come home for a few days. And I’ll probably stop in Norford Town. But I’ll be back in time for luncheon.”
“Invite them to dinner then.”
“A good idea!”
She waved and slipped out the door before he offered to come with her. The ducal mansion spread out so widely, it was quite a trek to the stable, so she hadn’t lied about taking a walk! Her mother’s touch was still evident in every room of Norford Hall. She’d redecorated the entire house before she died, and no one wanted to change a single thing. The mansion was so large, it was quite easy for guests to get lost in it. Each of the three separate wings on the ground floor contained three parlors.
Norford Hall. This was home, the one place that could fill her with peace and a sense of well-being. Family, servants she’d grown up with who were like family, so many memories. Rafe and Ophelia still lived here most of the year. And Amanda’s grandmother Agatha lived here, too, though she rarely left her suite of rooms. Most of the family dreaded visiting her upstairs because she kept those rooms so hot, but everyone did nonetheless. Agatha also couldn’t remember anyone’s name anymore, she was so advanced in years. She always mistook Amanda for one of her many daughters. Amanda didn’t mind, she just went along with it, which was much easier than trying to correct Agatha.
When Amanda reached the stable, she walked through it and found old Herbert where she’d asked him to meet her. She was still amazed she was going to do this. But she had to!
On the way back from Devin Baldwin’s horse farm the other day, Ophelia had taken Amanda straight to Bond Street to order a few riding habits. Amanda hadn’t agreed to any lessons yet! She was still mulling that over and resisting the idea. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t tried to get back on a horse after she’d mended from the accident. She could still remember the fear that had overcome her. But perhaps it had just been too soon, with that horrible pain still too fresh in her mind. So she didn’t decline Ophelia’s offer to set her up in advance with the proper clothes—just in case.
She was still quite excited over her meeting with Kendall Goswick. He was the first young man in a long while whom she was actually attracted to. A lot! She wasn’t about to cross him off, as Ophelia had put it, just because she was afraid to ride. Surely that couldn’t be a real detriment to a budding romance. But what if it was? Dare she take that chance?
By the end of that day she’d worried herself into a frazzle over it and finally concluded that she ought to at least try to get back on a horse. But she wasn’t going to ask that infuriating horse breeder for help. No and no again! So she decided to return to Norford Hall with her father the next morning. Spending a few days in the country with family and friends was sure to bolster her courage. And she’d sent a message to the old groom who’d given her riding lessons when she was a child that she was ready to try it again. If anyone could get her back on a horse, Herbert could. He’d been nothing but kind and patient with her.
Herbert was waiting for her behind the stable. The horse he’d brought for her looked as old as he was. Amanda had managed to keep her fear blocked away—until she actually stood next to the horse. With the moment at hand, the memories of her accident, the pain, so much pain, all came back to her. . . .
“We’ll take this very slow, m’lady,” Herbert said, sensing her anxiety. “There is no hurry.”
She didn’t answer him, so he stood silently while she stared at the mount he’d saddled for her. And stared. And stared. And broke out in a sweat.
Finally he said, “Don’t worry about it, m’lady. Riding isn’t for everyone.”
She sighed and walked away. No, it wasn’t for everyone. She’d have to tell Kendall Goswick that. And if he lost interest in her, well, too bad for him. The Season had barely begun! Lord Goswick certainly wasn’t going to be the only new face in London this year, although it hadn’t sounded as if he was even going to take part in the Season. But if he wanted to see her again, other than on a horse, he might. Besides, she still simply couldn’t believe that he’d base matrimony on a silly requirement such as a woman’s enjoying riding. Ophelia had merely thrown out the worst conclusion possible; that didn’t mean she was right.
In much better spirits, Amanda returned to London with her cousin Rupert and his wife, Rebecca. They had stayed in the country a few extra days to visit with Rebecca’s mother, Lilly. Amanda was even able to talk them into escorting her to her second ball of the Season tonight. And her friend Larissa Morrise stopped by that afternoon to visit while Amanda was preparing for the Hammonds’ ball, to fill her in on what she’d missed the last few days.
Like most of Amanda’s school chums, Larissa had already married. She was also quite enceinte, five months so, and avoided evening entertainments because of it. But she still made daily calls to her friends who were in town, and like Phoebe, she loved to gossip. Devin Baldwin’s name was still on the tip of everyone’s tongue, apparently, though Larissa was the first to mention that a few of the younger debutantes had set their caps for him.
“Jacinda Brown, in particular, is bragging that she’s going to win him.”
Amanda stared at her friend incredulously for a moment before she scoffed, “But he’s a horse breeder.” She could have added, And utterly lacking in refinement and rude to boot, but then her friend would ask her why she thought so, and she’d rather not talk about her encounter with him at his horse farm.
Larissa giggled. “So? Nothing out of the ordinary in that, when so many nobles take up that interest. Horses, dogs, if it can race, it’s something they’ll bet on and get involved with!”
“And who is Jacinda Brown?”
“One of the debutantes this year, and a little too bold, if you ask me. She pretends to be more sophisticated than she can possibly be. But the latest on-dit is Viscount Altone, who will be making his very first appearance in London at tonight’s ball. They are saying he’s going to be the prime catch this year.”
“Why?”
“Well, he’s handsome and already titled. And his father’s a marquess, and rich.”
“Are you sure?”
“About what?”
“That he’s handsome?”
Larissa giggled again. “No, not sure a’tall, since I haven’t met him to verify that part. I’m just repeating what I heard yesterday. But there’s usually some truth to the gossip making the rounds.”
“Or none a’tall. And I’ve never heard of him before—” Amanda stopped and suddenly grinned. “Or have I? His name wouldn’t be Kendall Goswick, would it?”
Larissa shook her heard. “No, Robert Brigston is his name, but who’s Kendall Goswick?”
“A charming young man I met a few days ago.”
“Why haven’t I heard of him?”
“I don’t think he’s been to London yet. He just came back from Ireland, where he went to buy a horse. He told me all about it.”
And not much more, Amanda realized. That was all he’d talked about when they met. She groaned inwardly. She was probably going to have to forget about him—no, that hadn’t been determined yet.
Amanda said, “But I’ve never heard of Robert Brigston before.”
Larissa shrugged. “Neither had I, but that’s probably because his family lives in the north. Where was it?” She frowned, then brightened. “Essex, I think. No, it might’ve been Kent, or—never mind, it will give you something to ask him when you meet him, won’t it? But this is his first time in London, as far as anyone knows.”
Amanda frowned. “Not fresh out of the schoolroom, is he? That would make him younger than I am!”
Larissa made a face. “That’s quite possible, but he won’t know that. But perhaps he’s not. He could have been taking the tour of the Continent and only just returned. So many men do, before they start looking for a wife. But the moment I heard of him, I thought of you.”
Amanda sighed. Every single one of her friends had expected her to marry before them. Every single one of them, after she was married or engaged, had taken a turn at matchmaking for her, with a cousin or a brother, even a young uncle! Or like Larissa, just by letting her know whom to keep an eye out for. She knew they were only trying to help, and she loved them for it. But it only reinforced her feeling that she couldn’t manage finding a husband for herself on her own. She was a failure. Soon she was going to be an old maid. Was she being a little too critical of herself?
It was quite possible. After all, until she’d met Kendall Goswick, the only man these last two years who had sparked her interest even a little had been the Scotsman Duncan MacTavish, and he’d been engaged to Ophelia. They’d had an on-and-off engagement that had never progressed to marriage because he’d gone and fallen in love with Sabrina Lambert while he and Ophelia had been figuring out that they just didn’t suit. All the other men that Amanda had met hadn’t been interesting a’tall—no, that wasn’t quite right, either. Some had been handsome, such as John Trask and Farrell Exter. Quite a few had been funny, making her laugh a lot, such as Oliver Norse. Oliver had been so friendly that she was still friends with him. But not one had drawn her eyes to him repeatedly or tugged at her heartstrings.
It was her fault! Was she too picky? Were her expectations too high? Well, she’d have to turn that about and right quickly. And yet, love was supposed to just happen, wasn’t it? She’d always thought that she’d know the very moment she saw him that she was in love. But if that was so, he was taking his bloody time making an appearance.
She glanced back at her friend suddenly and asked, “Did love show up for you instantly?”
Larissa laughed. “Goodness, no, it just sort of snuck up on me.”
“Then when did you know?”
“When that first Season of ours was over and I’d gone back home to Kent—and was missing Lord Henry so much I could barely stand it.”
“That’s right, you met him again in the spring, didn’t you?”
“Yes, at a country gathering. He proposed before it was over.” Larissa grinned. “He’d been missing me, too, something fierce.”
Amanda sighed to herself. That was likely the problem right there. She’d been expecting love at first sight, to simply know immediately when it happened, and because that didn’t happen, she’d given up on all those young men who might have suited her just fine—eventually. And all because she didn’t fall in love with any of them on a fantasized time schedule!
Chapter Twelve
DEVIN GLANCED AROUND THE ballroom, taking note of the people he already knew. He spotted a few clients and was surprised to see Owen Culley. Not exactly where Devin would expect to find the elderly nobleman, although Mabel Collicott and Gertrude Allen, who were also up there in years, were in attendance. But he knew why they were attending this ball and every other major social event this Season. He hoped they’d steer clear of Blythe. The girl was anxious enough without having to deal with someone as bullish as Mabel.
“Don’t fidget, it makes you appear nervous,” Blythe scolded in a whisper.
He almost laughed. Blythe was the one who was nervous, her terse tones a dead giveaway. It was the only time she wasn’t a pleasure to be around. But Devin wasn’t about to point that out to her or her cheeks would turn red. He did want her to shine tonight, but not w
ith embarrassment.
He knew why she was nervous. The invitation to this fancy ball had been sent to him, not her, and it was the first invitation that had actually specified that he could bring only one guest. If not for that, he would have asked William along as well, though his friend claimed to have another engagement tonight that couldn’t be put off and had even asked if he could borrow Donald’s coach for it, since Devin and Blythe would be using the grand old Pace family coach tonight.
Thank goodness Blythe had been prepared and didn’t have to scramble at the last moment for a ball gown, as he’d had to do for his fancy duds. He’d never use that tailor again. But Blythe already had her wardrobe for the Season, which William was now in debt for. “Bloody expensive, getting a sister married off,” Will had complained more than once in the last months.
“It’s these new clothes,” Devin said, explaining his fidgeting. “They’re uncomfortable, stiff, scratchy.”
Blythe’s green eyes briefly moved over his black attire, broadcloth with velvet lapels. “They don’t look uncomfortable and they do fit you nicely.”
“The tailor lined them with wool! Raved about women having their petticoats made that way, so why shouldn’t men get an extra layer for the cold season, too. Bloody idiot.”
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