by Claudy Conn
“Don’t play your games with me,” he snapped. “I want to know who you danced with, who caught your eye, and I want to know about you and Warren.”
“Ah, the ball. Mrs. Addleput sends you her best, by the way, and Lady Merriweather said to be certain to tell you that you were greatly missed, and young Merriweather has flouted his parents’ wishes and asked the young woman he loves and has … ahem … how shall I put this, ah, yes, fathered a child with, to be his bride. Faith, if he didn’t go down on one knee for all the world to witness. Asked her right there in the ballroom and went off with her and her parents.”
“No? Really?” Her uncle was momentarily diverted. “Good for him. Finally showing some backbone, eh?” He then recalled what he really wanted to know. “Yes, but get on with it, girl. You and Warren?”
“Get on with it, Uncle? Me and Warren? Whatever do you mean?” she teased.
“Do you feel any different about him? Will you change your mind and marry him?”
“Well, as to that, I think I allowed him one dance, but he was very busy … flirting up the Parker girl, so I am not sure what you can mean—will I marry him?” She shook her head, “Uncle, the man I marry will only want me, and want me for who I am.” She sighed. “Is that so very naïve?”
“Ah bah!” her uncle returned irritably. “Of course not, but you are too picky.”
“Uncle, you know that Warren’s mind is set on a fortune, and I, as I have told you over and over again, do not love him.”
“Who else did you dance with?”
“As I told you, Lord Pendleton, his nephew, Freddy, the good reverend, and a few others.”
“Tell me about this Lord Pendleton?” Her uncle picked up on this immediately.
“Oh, and the food was delectable,” she told him instead.
“Food? How would you know? You are naught but skin and bone,” he stuck in at once and glared at her.
She laughed, bent to her knees, and kissed his hands. “Why can we not be content with things just the way they are?”
“Absurd child, you haven’t a notion what is good for you.” He sighed heavily.
She made a face. “You want to pick a fight this morning. Very well, have at me then,” she said, getting back to her feet and moving towards the window. When would his lordship arrive? He had made a point of telling her he would call this morning. Why were her knees so jittery? Why was she so on edge?
Waltzing with him had been an experience like no other. Kissing him? She had not thought it possible to feel the way she had in his arms. She had begun to worry because her friends, both married and single, had told her she must a bit ‘cold-blooded’. She had never wanted to, as Francine, her dearest friend often teased her, ‘bed a man’, at least not until she found herself waltzing with his lordship. Suddenly she wondered just what it would be like to look at him naked and to feel him touching her body. It brought the heat to her cheeks.
With the memory of Daniel Pendleton’s hand on her waist, she found her breathing now had become labored, and that images of him bending to kiss her, sweep her away … and … Oh, stop, she told herself. This simply had to stop.
The double doors opened wide, and their old but sweet-natured retainer cast them a speaking look before he announced, “Lord Daniel Pendleton.”
Serena’s attempt at composure was shattered. She suspected that if she had been required to speak at that moment, she might have squeaked.
All she could do was stare. He was the most outrageously handsome man she had ever seen. There was no one who carried himself with such masculine grace and elegance. He was self-assured, and he was like a large, hungry … oh no, she had to stop this at once.
Her body immediately reacted to his animal magnetism. Every step, every move, had her riveted in place. She eyed him from top to bottom. She liked the dark blue, stylishly fitted cutaway riding coat with the tight-fitting britches over his muscular legs. Her gaze lingered there at his thighs, and she felt the blush as she looked where she should not have. Hurriedly her gaze dropped to his highly polished black riding boots but then went right back up and found his blue eyes, looking right into hers. Faith!
He went directly to her, took the hand she remembered to extend in greeting, and said, “And I have.”
She arched a look at him and managed, “And you have?”
“Missed you until this moment,” he answered softly.
Dear, oh dear, her mind said as it melted into porridge. His wide smile helped her find herself, and with a short laugh, she turned and made him known to her uncle before she moved to the bellrope and called for tea to be brought to them.
She smoothed the ivory muslin gown around her figure and saw that he was staring at her from the top of her golden curls right down to her ivory satin shoes. Her hand fluttered to the heart-shaped, lace-trimmed bodice. The look in his blue eyes made her swallow hard. Knowing that his gaze had lingered on her breasts sent shivers through her body.
She couldn’t help but note how easily he made light conversation with her uncle. The two were already talking about hunting and opening day, and she saw at once approval in her uncle’s smile. The squire liked him, and for some reason this gave her a warm feeling.
His lordship’s black hair fell across his forehead as he bent to catch something her uncle said, and she had the ridiculous urge to reach out and touch. She wanted, absurdly, to whisper his name … Daniel, Danny … and she wanted to hear him whisper hers.
“What of my friend, ol’ Fritz. How does he go on these days …?” her uncle asked him.
“Ah, I am only acquainted with him because my father was his friend. I regrettably lost touch after I lost my father, some years ago. I have, however, heard that he is well.”
Davis, their butler, returned with a large tray and announced, “Lord Frederick Radburn and Sir Jasper Tucker.”
Serena turned to see the two gentlemen follow Davis through the door and into the room.
The squire looked at her with a sharp grin and remarked, “Well, well, m’girl, well, well.”
She wanted to stick her tongue out at him but managed to curb herself. Instead she gave him a warning glare. She made the necessary greetings and turned to find his lordship watching her. Something in his eyes made the blood rush to her cheeks.
Serena immediately turned to Freddy as she tried to regain her composure and asked, “Freddy, have you been to the kennel this morning? Have I won my wager?” She saw out of the corner of her eye that his lordship frowned. Now what, she wondered. What can be wrong in that?
Freddy laughed. “I have, and no, you haven’t won. Sir Newton says she won’t have those pups before tomorrow night.”
“Well, as to that, ask Sir Newton how many times I have called it and he has not,” she bantered.
“Oh no, come with me, Serena, and we’ll put the question to Sir Newton together, for you have a stouter heart than I.” Freddy laughed. “If I told him that, he would blast me from here to London.”
Sir Jasper angled himself into position to talk to Serena, and Freddy amiably turned to his uncle and said, “Uncle Daniel, why didn’t you tell me you were coming here? We could have kept one another company and ridden together.”
Serena heard the suspicion in Freddy’s tone and wondered at it, but his lordship released a short laugh and said, “As to that, my boy, you were off early this morning, before I came down for breakfast, in fact. I was sure, however, that I would meet you here.”
Freddy appeared mollified by this, but Serena could not stop herself from casting a look towards his lordship, for there had been something in his voice that made her wonder. She turned her attention back to Sir Jasper and laughed as he had begun reciting a verse from Byron while waving his hand in her direction. “She walks in beauty like the night …”
Serena objected with a laugh, “Oh no … no, Sir Jasper. Byron meant that piece for a dark-haired woman. You are quite out likening it to me.”
Once again, Davis arrived at the open double doors, this
time to announce, “Mr. Warren Beverly.”
“Egad!” Warren exclaimed as he walked into the morning room full of eligible bachelors. His bright, amused eyes and his warm smile were all for Serena. “Serena, love, what are you doing? Holding court?”
She giggled and told him soundly not to be nonsensical. He went directly to her uncle and touched the elderly man’s shoulder. “Squire. Up and about, are we? I am glad of it. You look a sight better than you did a few days ago. ’Tis time you got back into the way of things, for this wayward niece of yours needs some managing, you know.”
“Slander does not become you, Warren,” Serena bantered good-naturedly.
“Manage Serena? Ha,” said her uncle.
His lordship, Serena noticed, stood back, his hands clasped at his back, his legs wide apart, and she felt her eyes get lazy. What was wrong with her? Why did he have such an effect on her?
Davis returned, and this time there was no mistaking the weariness of his tone. “Mr. Eustace Bailey.”
“Hell and damnation!” Warren remarked warmly. “Doesn’t he have ministering angels and such to attend to?”
“Warren, shush,” Serena admonished.
She felt Daniel Pendleton at her side, so very near she thought if she wasn’t careful she might find herself in his arms. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Why, Miss Moorely, you have a selection of bachelors all hovering for your favors. Tell me, which one will you pick?”
“Ah,” she answered, taking it merely as a tease. “That is precisely what my uncle wishes to know.”
“Does he? He is a good man. I quite like him. So, you won’t even tell him?”
“I told him that none of the gentlemen you see before you are meant for me … and I have not allowed them to think that I am for them.”
“Not up to your standards?” he said dryly.
Something in his tone went right through her, and she felt a pin prick her heart. “Standards? What nonsense is that? I have but one requirement, and although a knight in shining armor would be very nice indeed, all I require is that the man I choose will be the man who wins my heart, even as I have won his.”
He eyed her, and she could see he was dubious. Why did he have such a poor opinion of her? What could she have done to deserve such a look?
“It is none of my business, of course, but I rather think my nephew wishes quite eagerly to court you, and I have seen no reason for him to think his suit would not be accepted.”
Why did he always make her want to slap his face? Was he being purposely disagreeable? He needed a set-down. Her hand twitched because at the very least she wanted to shove him away. She held her fisted hand at her side and said, “Ah, what a brilliant thing to deduce. It is actually none of your business.” She moved off and bantered and flirted with each man present quite equally, all the while seething inside.
* * *
His lordship had been watching Serena. He was, in fact, far too aware that he was staring at her more than was seemly. He couldn’t seem to look away, and it irritated him. He knew he had been rude to her. He was always ending their conversations with rude slights and unfair suppositions about her. He couldn’t seem to stop himself, and he couldn’t seem to look away from her. Everything about her intrigued him.
He was concerned about only one man in the room. Warren Beverly seemed a serious suitor and one who appeared at the very least to hold her attention more than the others.
His eyes narrowed as he watched Warren whispering in her ear. He couldn’t help but notice that although she listened to and smiled at the dashing fellow, she moved away from him and cast her uncle a mischievous glance. What was that all about? Did her uncle wish for such a match? No … how could he? Beverly’s pockets were to let. It was a widely known fact.
It seemed to his lordship that she did not give anyone her undivided attention. She was a perfect hostess, chatting amiably, teasing and creating a lively atmosphere, but she showed no one man a preference.
His lordship knew he was in a bit of trouble. He was far too attracted to the chit, and that was dangerous times in the making. Knowing this, he still couldn’t look away.
Jasper angled over to him and whispered, “Must speak with you.”
“Must you?” His lordship grinned.
“Walk to the window with me,” Jasper said on a low note.
His friend’s voice sounded serious, and his lordship cast him an odd look but did, in fact, meander with him to the window. Wondering what Jasper had to tell him left him both worried and irritated.
Freddy, however, at that moment brought their heads around as he suddenly exclaimed in high glee, “I tell you what you would like above all things, Serena.”
“What would I like above all things?” she said on a tease.
“Let’s ride over to Sir Newton’s kennels now. M’uncle can have a visit with an old friend, and we can see if those pups are born yet.”
A lively discussion ensued, and an expedition was put in place to travel the short distance to Sir Newton’s kennels. Sir Jasper voiced a desire to join the expedition, and Freddy laughed and said, “Of course—the more the merrier.”
His lordship leaned towards Jasper and said quietly, “What did you wish to speak to me about?”
“I am meeting with Tuthill this afternoon. Do you wish to join me?”
“Indeed. I just might do that,” his lordship said. “I mean to talk to him about keeping Freddy and Miss Moorely’s names out of this ugly business. Don’t want a target painted on their backs.”
Jasper, evidently in full agreement, winked and said, “It is a shame you don’t want me to have a go at stealing the beauty away from your nevvy. I think she likes me. What say you?”
“I would say, if I believed you, that you are a fool,” his lordship laughed. His purpose for his morning visit had been thwarted when Freddy and the others arrived. Nothing for it now but to forget about the little ‘heart to heart’ talk he had planned to have with her.
It was at this moment that the reverend strode up to Serena, bowed his head, and said, “I am loath to leave you. I would much prefer to join this expedition and lend it some propriety, for your sake, my dear, but I am afraid my obligations take me elsewhere.”
“Ah,” Serena said, looking amused, “don’t fret yourself, Eustace. You know I am more inclined for a bit of sport over the proprieties.”
“You have a lively mind, Serena … but perhaps less levity would serve you better,” he said, frowning.
“No, I cannot agree with that—humor is so much more fun than walking about staid and serious all the time. I hope the rest of your day goes well, Eustace,” she returned with a gentle but dismissive smile.
In spite of himself, his lordship applauded her reaction to Eustace, whom he took as a self-righteous hypocrite. He was glad to think she would not, could not make a match of it with him.
He might be annoyed that Freddy was determined to court her and that he had no idea if she would accept his nephew, but he found himself liking her at every turn. She was open and sweetly direct. He liked her composure, her self assurance, her graceful mannerisms, and damn, if he wasn’t careful, he might find himself falling under her spell! That would never do. He was here to extricate his nephew, not fall a victim.
As though Serena felt his eyes on her, she turned and gave him an arched look that nearly brought him to his knees. What was that, and what was wrong with him?
A look from her had the power to wipe his mind of all logic and replace it with nothing more than want. He wanted her. Bloody hell, how he wanted her.
Her dark eyes had glittered with amusement, and her body moved sensually when she turned away from the reverend. Everything about her made desire burn through his blood.
“Well then, gentlemen,” she said brightly. “I shall just go up and change into a riding habit and—”
“Not necessary,” his lordship found himself saying. Here was his chance.
“And why not?” she answe
red quizzically.
“I came in a hired open curricle in the hopes that you might ride out with me and enjoy some sun in relative comfort. Perhaps you will keep me company on the drive to the kennels while your … er … assembled group—men in waiting, shall we call them—serve as outriders?”
She laughed, and he found that he liked the sound more than he should. “Very well,” she answered. “I shall just go fetch my bonnet and Spencer and return momentarily.” She then went to her uncle and said something softly to him. The squire laughed and waved her off.
“Serena … wait,” Freddy said as she crossed the room. “Why don’t you change into your habit and ride. I know you would like that.”
“Nonsense,” his uncle returned with authority. “There is no need. Miss Moorely doesn’t have to go to the trouble of changing her clothes when she can ride at ease with me, Freddy, and it will give us a chance to get to know one another.”
Serena looked directly into his eyes, and for a moment, time and thought were suspended. He felt as though he had to shake himself free of the dangerous tentacles weaving themselves around him. Everything about her was like magic. What was wrong with him? He had not ever been so distracted by a woman.
He watched as Warren walked with her towards the hallway and his lordship was hit with a charge of jealousy that sent a wave of irritation through him. Madness … this was madness!
* * *
Serena knew in that one moment, when their gazes locked, what it was she was experiencing. She had inexplicably, and completely, fallen in love! La, but this could break her heart. She knew it and could do nothing about it. This huge man, this sophisticated, wildly masculine man looked at her, and something happened to her mind and body. Her body? She felt it twitch when he gazed her way. Her mind did much the same.
He, no doubt, thought little more of her than he did any other woman. He certainly must be chased by every debutante in London. He was the catch of a lifetime and must have beautiful women forever flirting with him. Who was she but a country miss with absolutely nothing to offer … but love.
Why should he even look at her twice? He probably would not have done so had not Freddy put him to the trouble of coming to the New Forest to fetch him to school. Oh, but she was headed for a great deal of hurting.