Let Love Find You

by Johanna Lindsey

  Chapter Forty-Three

  AMANDA WAS LATE COMING downstairs for the first official night of the house party because Alice had been late returning with the gown they had decided on for the evening. “I expected there to be other maids in the pressing room, which is why I went early, but I had no idea there would be so many that a line had formed out into the hall!” Alice said the moment she rushed into Amanda’s bedroom.

  “It’s all right,” Amanda assured Alice. “I had a late lunch, so I’m not hungry yet for dinner. But I do want that gown to look perfect. How is it now?”

  “Perfect indeed.” Alice helped her into it.

  The blue velvet complemented her eyes, and the gown was a bit daring because it was a shade darker than the pallid pastels she and all the other unmarried young women were restricted to. The gown was not dark enough to raise eyebrows, but so well suited to her coloring that she would have picked it out even if she were married and allowed any color she wanted. She was so looking forward to that benefit of marriage. Pale colors did not help her to shine, and she definitely wanted to shine tonight with Robert already in attendance, and hopefully Kendall arriving before the evening was over, if he hadn’t already.

  As she walked down the house’s grand central staircase, she caught sight of Blythe Pace entering the parlor with her escort, who for once wasn’t Devin! Amanda hurried to catch up to them.

  “Welcome to Norford Hall, Blythe,” Amanda said, then smiled at Blythe’s brother. “And you must be William!”

  He bowed over Amanda’s offered hand. “We’ve met, Lady Amanda.”

  “Yes, of course, Devin mentioned that. It’s just that I’ve met so many people over the last few years.”

  William sighed dramatically. “It’s my bane to be forgotten by beautiful women!”

  “Not a’tall.” Amanda smiled. “I do remember you now. And I’m delighted to see that you have recovered from your accident in time to join us here.”

  He blushed slightly, evidently embarrassed that she knew about that, but Amanda quickly turned to Blythe and said with a grin, “Lord Oliver is here, if you haven’t noticed yet.”

  “Where?” Blythe said excitedly.

  Amanda glanced about the room and spotted Oliver chatting with John Trask and pointed Blythe in that direction. William chuckled. “I suppose it’s time I met this chap who’s turned my sister’s head. She’s done nothing but chew my ear off about him—”

  Blythe poked her brother to silence, blushing, but was obviously so eager to greet Oliver that Amanda said, “I’m going to make my way to the buffet. I’ll speak with you both later.”

  Blythe did indeed drag her brother straightaway to Oliver’s side, and Amanda even caught Oliver’s look of pleasure when he spotted the younger girl heading his way, so Amanda had a feeling that eagerness went both ways. How nice for her friend!

  But she wasn’t interested in the buffet yet. She’d also spotted Devin conversing with Lord and Lady Dowling when she’d looked around for Oliver, and he had some explaining to do about her riding lessons becoming common knowledge. She headed in his direction.

  “Goodness, Devin, I’ve met so many people over the years, names elude me. You might ask Lord Culley. He and his wife were living in London at the time.”

  Amanda was nearly tapping her foot, she was so impatient for Devin to finish his conversation with Lord and Lady Dowling and notice that she wanted a word with him. Should she intrude? Better than eavesdropping like this. How could he not see her standing to the side of him?

  But he appeared to be in hot pursuit of information, and it was probably her fault, for reminding him about his mother the other day. He was trying to find friends of hers now, at least that’s what it had sounded like. To find out more about her because he’d lost her when he was so young? But then a more likely reason occurred to her. He could be trying to find his father!

  “Here you are, and alone? Dare I hope you’ve arranged that just for me?”

  Amanda whirled around and met Robert’s engaging grin. How the deuce could he call this “alone”? The parlor was so crowded right now you couldn’t turn around without bumping into someone . . . what was wrong with her? Was that actually annoyance she was feeling over being bothered by Robert Brigston instead of delight that he’d found her in a crowded room? But he was keeping her from her current purpose, which was to find out how Jacinda knew about Amanda’s riding lessons, so she would rather talk to Devin. . . .

  She sighed to herself and put her arm through Robert’s to lead him out to the foyer. Devin would just have to wait. She hadn’t had a chance yet to speak to Robert since he’d arrived. When she’d gone downstairs earlier to look for him, he’d apparently already been shown to a room and was getting settled in, but then she hadn’t waited around for him to appear, when she should have. Really, she needed to get her priorities straight, and Robert Brigston was one of them.

  The foyer was crowded, too, of course it would be. Despite the size of the house and that probably a half dozen rooms were quite empty on the ground floor, people were still going to congregate near each other, and at the moment that meant near the parlor, where the bulk of the guests were gathered for the evening. Ophelia hadn’t arranged any entertainment for tonight other than a splendid dinner. She should probably have opened the ballroom for that, when more than half the guests had already shown up.

  Walking Robert slowly down the hall, glancing in each room to see if any were less crowded, she began, “Let me say how delighted I am you could join—”

  “She wasn’t ‘alone,’ as you put it, Brigston, and she’s certainly not going to be left alone with you.”

  Amanda gasped, stopping in her tracks. Robert let go of her arm instantly, and she certainly couldn’t blame him. Devin’s words weren’t just rude, his tone actually sounded threatening! So he did know she’d been standing there next to him in the parlor and he’d heard what Robert had said to her.

  She turned and saw that Robert appeared offended, and rightly so. Devin, of course, didn’t care. Insulting people was a habit of his! But his tone hadn’t been contrived. He did actually look angry.

  Robert struggled to compose himself in the face of such obvious animosity and made an attempt to make light of it by saying, “You know, old chap, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were interested in her yourself.”

  “I’m interested in her happiness, but we’ve already had this conversation, haven’t we? If you want to have it again, we can do so—right now.”

  Robert stiffened, but backed down immediately. He actually walked off without another word, leaving Amanda incredulous and outraged by Devin’s rude behavior. She looked up at Devin, but he was staring after Robert and she had a feeling he was about to follow him. Not before she gave him a piece of her mind!

  “My name isn’t Blythe,” she said vehemently. “You aren’t my chaperone. I’m in my own home. What the devil d’you think you’re doing, scaring Lord Brigston off like that? What was that about?”

  He took her arm and continued with her down the main central hall. In a moment they were out of anyone else’s hearing. Only then did he say, “I’ve told you he’s not for you. Why can’t you just trust me on that?”

  “Why can’t you trust me with your reason for saying it?”

  Their eyes locked. For a moment she thought he was going to confide in her. But instead he put her on the spot.

  “Do you love him?” he asked bluntly.

  “No, not—”

  “No was sufficient. So do yourself a favor and don’t try to love him.”

  They’d reached the end of the long hall. He wasn’t trying to find them an empty room to continue to speak privately in. He hadn’t even glanced in those they’d walked past. He simply turned them about to head back toward the crowd, albeit slowly now.

  Whatever he knew about Robert, he obviously wasn’t going to share it with her. It could be no more than Robert wasn’t his choice for her, Kendall was. No, that woul
d be a petty reason, and Devin certainly wasn’t like that. And it couldn’t be jealousy, much as she might like that possibility, when everything he was doing for her was to prepare her to be Kendall Goswick’s wife.

  Reminded of Kendall, her earlier anger returned and she put him on the spot for a change. “My learning to ride at this late date in my life was confidential. I thought you knew that. So how is it possible that Jacinda Brown, whom I met for the first time today, knows about those lessons?”

  He frowned. “She does?”

  “You didn’t tell her?”

  “No. I only mentioned it to Blythe, when she wanted me to escort her to a morning event and I had to tell her why I couldn’t. I was expecting you for another lesson. She must have mentioned it to Miss Brown, who’s tried to become chummy with her recently.”

  No lovers’ tryst? That took a little heat out of Amanda’s reply, just not all of it. “Why would you tell even her?”

  He raised a brow at her. “I wasn’t aware you were keeping it a secret.”

  “Of course I was!” she whispered furiously. “It’s embarrassing enough that I don’t know how to ride at my age, but now Kendall might hear of it!”

  He gave her a pointed look. “Why would that embarrass you when he will be highly flattered that you’d learn just for him?”

  “I can’t let him know that! That’s something to tell him after we marry, not before.”

  “Why?”

  She huffed, “Obviously because it will make him think he’s already won me, so he’ll stop trying.”

  He rolled his eyes at her. His good humor had apparently returned because she was aggrieved over what he would consider something silly. Her reaction was a bit overdone, she realized, yet she still felt as if she were going to explode with exasperation, or aggravation, or—oh, she didn’t know what had her so highly charged that she was looking for things to rail about, but something did and it didn’t want to go away. And being this close to him just seemed to make it worse.

  Devin suddenly stopped. She followed his gaze and saw that Lord Kendall had just been let in the front door and was handing his coat over to the butler. She looked back at Devin to mention his arrival, only to see that Devin seemed to be wrestling with himself. Myriad emotions were crossing his features, all too fleeting to grasp, but he ended by dragging a hand through his hair and turning abruptly about, giving his back to the entry door.

  Then he glanced down at her and with a sigh said, “Kendall is here.”

  “Yes, I noticed,” she replied stiffly.

  “I should take you over to him.”

  “I can do that well enough on my own, thank you very much. This is my house. I’m allowed to mingle and greet guests—or is there a reason I should cross Kendall off my list, too?”

  She was being sarcastic, yet she actually held her breath, waiting for his answer. He didn’t give it immediately. When he finally shook his head no, she walked away from him. She felt like crying. Did she really expect him to object to her pursuit of Kendall after that last kiss they’d shared? Well, she’d show him that she didn’t care. She could look after her own marital prospects.

  She approached Kendall with a gracious smile. “I was beginning to worry that you wouldn’t be back in time from Scotland to join us. I’m so glad you’ve returned in good time. Was this trip successful, too?”

  He bent to kiss her hand. “Indeed, in fact, after this party I may have to see about enlarging my stable, or building a new one!”

  Not a word in greeting or even a compliment? No, that was her fault! She’d introduced the topic of his trip, which of course made him think of his crowded stable. She would have to get used to that, if she picked him. Perhaps she ought to find out what he thought about her riding—without a sidesaddle.

  “I’m looking forward to riding with you tomorrow. Norford Hall isn’t Hyde Park, but the grounds here are extensive.”

  He beamed at her. “What a splendid idea! I confess, I was going to suggest it m’self.”

  “Then let the butler get you situated. We’ll have a chance to talk more when you return for dinner.”

  She ended that rather quickly, having spotted Mabel Collicott bearing down on her. . . .

  Chapter Forty-Four

  AMANDA BRACED HERSELF. THE old dame, with her friend Gertrude in tow as usual, barely spared a greeting, simply latched onto Amanda’s arm and dragged her straight across the parlor to stand before Farrell Exter. He didn’t seem surprised that they were joining him, which made her wonder if Mabel had actually told Farrell he was now in the running for her simply because the old matchmaker had recommended him. She wouldn’t dare! Would she?

  Farrell looked a bit disheveled tonight as if he’d slept in his clothes. He did arrive yesterday, so it was possible. Had he not brought his valet with him? There was ample room in the servants’ wing for maids and valets who came with the guests, but not everyone brought one along. Which was why Ophelia had made sure plenty of extra valets and maids would be on hand. She did think of everything, after all.

  Amanda wondered if she should mention that, but dismissed the thought, since it would probably embarrass Farrell. And he didn’t seem to think anything was amiss with himself. He immediately took Amanda’s hand to kiss it.

  “Ah, the most beautiful lady in England, you take my breath as usual, Amanda.”

  Farrell did know how to turn a nice compliment, but that was about all he knew how to do well. But Mabel was beaming at him and said to her friend Gertrude, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, “They do make a beautiful couple, don’t they?”

  Amanda was embarrassed enough to cough. That remark was out of line even for a matchmaker. Mabel’s friend must have thought so, too.

  “I believe that could be said no matter who Lady Amanda stands next to.”

  That salvaged the moment, but to change the subject, Amanda told Farrell, “I believe Ophelia is planning on setting up whist tables throughout the house tomorrow.”

  His eyes lit up as she’d guessed they would, so she was surprised to hear him say, “I’m giving up gambling.”

  “Even for fun?”

  “Indeed, I’ve finally figured out there’s no fun in losing.”

  It had taken five years for him to conclude that? A lousy gambler, he wasn’t good at lying either. She didn’t for a moment believe that he’d give up something he craved. Had Mabel convinced him that he had a chance with her? Was that why he was saying what he thought she would want to hear? She ought to be honest enough to tell him to look elsewhere for his “pot of gold.” He might be amusing at times, but he certainly wasn’t the man for her.

  John Trask saved her from having to make that unpleasant confession right then and there—either from jealousy, since he hoped to win Amanda, too, or simply because he shared Farrell’s love for gambling. Amanda didn’t know and didn’t care.

  John grabbed Farrell, telling him excitedly, “A moment, old chap. You’re the only one who can tip the scale on a wager we’ve got going,” and he dragged Farrell away.

  Amanda took that opportunity to tell Mabel, “I don’t want to hurt his feelings but I will if you persist. Who is paying you to recommend someone so inappropriate for me? I assumed it was my father, but now I’m beginning to think you work for Exter’s family instead.”

  Mabel gasped. But Julie had been close enough to hear that, and she, apparently, already knew what Mabel had been trying to do. Joining their little group, Julie said gruffly, “Good God, Mabel, have you gone batty in your old age? How dare you try to foist a ne’er-do-well on my niece?”

  That left Mabel red-faced and speechless, but then Julie didn’t expect or want a reply. Having made her contempt known, she added insult to injury by giving the old dames her back and leading Amanda away with her.

  “Well, I never!” Mabel huffed as soon as Julie was out of earshot.

  For once, Gertrude didn’t hold her tongue. She didn’t like to argue, which was why Mabel, with her more domin
ant nature, had got away with cowing her for so many years. But Mabel wasn’t always this way. She used to be sensible. She’d just got too overblown with their successes, most of which could be credited to Gertrude’s sound advice. But Mabel really had gone too far this time.

  “I saw that coming,” Gertrude said. “The Lockes aren’t fools. That member of the family is simply more outspoken than the rest. And Julie was absolutely right. Even you know she’s right. If I can’t recommend Exter in good conscience, neither can you. And don’t think I don’t know why you’ve done it. Just because his mother’s a dear friend of yours whom you’ve known even longer than me.”

  Mabel was a little shocked that Gertrude was openly disagreeing with her. “But he will make a good husband—with the right wife.”

  “You mean someone who will overlook the fact that he’ll never amount to anything other than a pile of debts? I warn you, Mabel, if you persist in ruining the reputation you and I have strived to achieve over the years, just to help out an old friend, then I think you and I are done.”

  “The boy has to marry, Gertrude. He’s driving his mother to drink, she’s so worried over him.”

  “I don’t believe that’s our problem, is it?”

  “Since when don’t we help friends—if we can?”

  “When it would hurt other friends. But if you truly want to help them, then look for someone who would feel elevated to be a member of his family. I can think of at least one social climber who would be thrilled by that association, enough to overlook his gambling habits, and two others who would be thrilled, but only if he actually gave up those habits. That would be the sensible approach to helping out an old friend.”

  Mabel sighed. “I know you’re right. It just would have been such an achievement for him to land a duke’s daughter. I suppose I got carried away. I’ll break the news to him.” Then with a conciliatory smile she asked, “Which gel would overlook his nasty habit?”