Lord Musgrave opened his mouth to retort, only to stop himself. A look of surprise then contentment came over his face, and he chuckled darkly, sending a small tremor down Timothy’s spine.
“I have it,” Lord Musgrave said with a grin. “A wager.”
“A wager?” Timothy repeated, his stomach beginning to churn. “What do you mean?”
Lord Musgrave’s grin only grew. “It took me at least a month before I was able to press my lips to hers,” he said, as Timothy winced, wondering what Lord Musgrave had done in order to encourage the lady and just how broken she must now be given that his attentions had been taken away. Mayhap that was why she had ignored him in the shop. “Therefore,” Lord Musgrave continued, “let us see just how long it takes you to do the same.”
The frown that etched itself along Timothy’s brow was almost immediate. “I do not think that—”
“If you are less than a month in your pursuit, then I shall hand over my pair of greys that I know you so eagerly desire,” Lord Musgrave continued, silencing Timothy as he suddenly felt himself consider what was being offered. “I know you think very highly of them, and they are very well prized.”
Timothy, who could not pretend that he did indeed like the horses that Lord Musgrave had purchased only recently, closed his eyes and tried to tell himself that horseflesh did not matter. And yet, his mind would not let the idea go.
“And what if I fail?” he asked, somewhat unwillingly. “What then will you gain from me?”
Lord Musgrave chuckled, and Timothy opened his eyes to narrow them at his friend.
“I shall have that wonderful painting that hangs in your townhouse,” he said, as Timothy’s gaze narrowed even more. “The one that your father loved so dearly.”
Timothy stiffened. Lord Musgrave knew far too much about his family, he considered, tilting his head and seeing Lord Musgrave grinning broadly. The painting he referred to was one by the painter Géricault, who was still working at present. It had been one of his father’s favorites and had, in fact, been quite expensive. It was not the price that mattered to Timothy, however, but rather the fact that this particular piece had meant so much to his father. He looked to Lord Musgrave with suspicion in his eyes, wondering why his friend wanted that particular painting and if it was solely to bring Timothy pain should he fail in his wager.
“Do we have an accord?” Lord Musgrave held out his hand, and Timothy, despite himself, reached out to shake it.
“We do,” he said, as Lord Musgrave’s eyes lit with greedy anticipation. “Now, are you to introduce me to the lady?” He began to walk towards her, realizing quite quickly that Lord Musgrave did not attend with him. Turning his head, he saw Lord Musgrave standing there, his eyes lit with mirth and his arms folded tightly across his chest. Becoming a little annoyed, Timothy came closer to his friend and lifted one eyebrow.
“You do not wish to help me secure an introduction?” he asked, as Lord Musgrave laughed heartily and shook his head.
“Of course I do not!” he exclaimed, slapping Timothy hard on the shoulder. “To give you any assistance would be quite foolish on my part, would it not?” With another chuckle, he let go of Timothy’s shoulder and stepped back. “Although I wish you the very best of luck, Lord Sutcliffe, of course.”
“Of course,” Timothy muttered, as Lord Musgrave walked away from him, setting his back towards Miss Burton. He cursed his own foolishness and set his gaze back towards the young lady who was, he realized, now walking with a gentleman onto the dance floor. Looking about him and trying to recall who he was next to dance with, Timothy gritted his teeth, his anger and frustration working deep within him. He would have to achieve this goal; he would have to win this bet, given that he had no intention of allowing Lord Musgrave to have the painting of which his own father had thought so highly.
“Besides which, his pair of greys would do very well in my stable,” he muttered to himself, as a young lady with laughing eyes and a warm smile drew near to him. Within minutes, Timothy found himself on the dance floor with Miss Southwick in his arms, but all he could do throughout the dance was look towards Miss Burton. He took her in, seeing her graceful steps, her beautiful smile, and her clear joy at being out on the dance floor – but not once did she look to him. And that, for whatever reason, sent Timothy into a spiral of despair. How was he meant to achieve what Lord Musgrave had set out for him when she would not even meet his gaze, would not even look his way? Sighing heavily to himself, Timothy tried to focus on the dance and the lovely Miss Southwick, but no matter how hard he tried, his attention was always dragged back towards Miss Burton.
It felt an impossible achievement already.
3
“I thought the ball last evening went very well indeed.”
Ivy smiled to herself, as she and Lady Landerbelt walked through Hyde Park. “Indeed,” she agreed, thinking to herself that last evening had been a ball like none she had ever attended. “You were very kind to me, Lady Landerbelt.”
Lady Landerbelt tutted and waved a hand. “I was not,” she answered, steadily. “I am your friend, am I not? I told your dear mama that I intended to do all I could to help you, and thus, I am doing what I promised.”
“Well, then, I am grateful,” Ivy answered, not wanting her friend to think that she was not truly appreciative of all that she had done for her last evening. “I think I danced with almost every gentleman there!” She laughed as Lady Landerbelt chuckled softly. “And I was certainly introduced to almost everyone.”
“Not quite to everyone,” Lady Landerbelt replied, laughing. “I chose gentlemen carefully, given what I know of their families, reputations, and the like, and I am pleased that you found them to be so suitable.”
Ivy signed contentedly. It had been quite wonderful to be in attendance at a ball without feeling as though she had to hide at the side of the room or stay amongst the wallflowers, simply because her own mother was not willing to remain by her side and take on the responsibilities that she ought. Last evening had been an entirely new experience for her, and for it, Ivy was more than grateful.
“Oh, goodness.”
Hearing the way that Lady Landerbelt let out her breath slowly and surprised by the distinct change in tone, Ivy looked up to see a gentleman approaching them both. He was walking in quite a jaunty manner, his hat shining in the sun and his gaze roving about the park as if he did not quite want to land it anywhere in particular.
Ivy recognized him at once. It was none other than Lord Sutcliffe, the one whom she had chosen not to be introduced to at the bookshop. The one whom Lady Landerbelt considered to be quite unsuitable and unworthy of her time, given what she knew of him.
“You need not wait,” Lady Landerbelt said with a wave of her hand. “I shall greet him and then continue on our way. There is no need to be detained.”
Ivy nodded and kept her head high, her face lifted but her bonnet keeping the sun from her cheeks. She did not look at him, refusing to even glance in his direction, but rather kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, all conversation between herself and Lady Landerbelt dying away.
“Ah, good afternoon Lady Landerbelt.”
Ivy gritted her teeth as the gentleman moved to stand directly in front of her, his steps casual but his expression one of innocence. It was perhaps a ploy to keep her where she was, so that she was forced to greet him as she had chosen not to do before, but Ivy did not like being forced into any such thing. Turning her head away, she waited for Lady Landerbelt to direct them forward.
“Good afternoon,” Lady Landerbelt said quietly. “If you would excuse me, Lord Sutcliffe, I have a pressing engagement.”
Lord Sutcliffe looked a little concerned. “Then of course, I should not keep you,” he said, hastily. “Shall I return your companion to her carriage then—so that you are not detained?”
Lady Landerbelt looked a little annoyed at this, although Ivy could not tell if it was due to her own poor excuse or if it was due to Lord Sutcliffe’s re
action.
“I hardly think it would be proper, Lord Sutcliffe,” she answered firmly. “Now, if you will excuse us.”
Lord Sutcliffe bowed but did not move. “I should very much like to be introduced to your companion, Lady Landerbelt,” he told her, his eyes turning towards Ivy, who could not help but look up at him. “After all, this is now the third occasion that I have seen the young lady in your company, and as yet, I still do not know her name.”
Ivy wanted to retort that this was, in fact, because she did not want Lord Sutcliffe to know her name or be introduced to him, but given that she was in this particular situation, Ivy kept her mouth shut tight.
“That has been deliberately so, Lord Sutcliffe,” Lady Landerbelt told him distinctly, as Ivy allowed a small smile to slide up the corner of her mouth. “I do not consider you to be a worthy acquaintance of my friend.”
Ivy watched Lord Sutcliffe carefully, wondering what his reaction to this might be. To her surprise, he did not react with anger as she had expected but rather with a small grin that shot a spark into his eyes.
“My abominable reputation precedes me,” he said, with a small bow. “But what if, Lady Landerbelt, I promised to behave absolutely impeccably towards your friend? Would you not permit me an introduction then?”
Ivy spoke before she could prevent herself. “I think you will find that Lady Landerbelt has better judgment than you give her credit for, Lord Sutcliffe,” she told him, as he lifted both eyebrows and turned to look at her. “You do her something of a disservice.”
Lord Sutcliffe began to frown, and a line formed between his eyes as he did so. Ivy watched him with curiosity, for he had a very interesting face indeed. She was a little more bold in her study, being in the company and presence of Lady Landerbelt, and found herself considering that the gentleman before her was, in fact, quite handsome indeed. She supposed this was not a surprise, given that he was meant to be something of a rake, although she had to confess that his hazel eyes did catch her interest somewhat.
“I shall do nothing but behave in the most impeccable manner,” Lord Sutcliffe promised, turning back towards Lady Landerbelt. “Truly, there is a small part of you that might be willing to trust me?” Another sharp glance towards Ivy told her that he was growing rather frustrated with both herself and Lady Landerbelt, but she did not mind in the least how he felt. She trusted Lady Landerbelt’s judgment.
Lady Landerbelt studied Lord Sutcliffe for a few moments, her eyes hard and her lips pulled taut. Eventually, however, she waved a hand towards Ivy, her gaze still fixed on Lord Sutcliffe.
“This is my dear friend, Miss Burton,” she said quietly. “Daughter to Viscount Bainbridge. Miss Burton, might I present the Earl of Sutcliffe.”
A little surprised at such a lofty title, Ivy curtsied quickly, lifting her gaze to his face once more and finding herself a little disappointed that there had been an introduction in the end. She had found some enjoyment in being kept from him, in seeing the frustration in his expression, given that he was continually expecting to receive whatever it was he wished for.
“Good afternoon,” she murmured, rising and holding his gaze with a sharp one of her own. “Now, if you would excuse us, we have something rather pressing to attend to.” Indeed, it was only Lady Landerbelt’s cook with a promise to have a myriad of cakes and the like ready for them both when they returned, but it was better to have some sort of excuse than none at all. With a quick smile, she made her way past Lord Sutcliffe, only to have him hold out one hand, as though to physically stop her from stepping forward.
“Forgive me,” he said quickly, as Lady Landerbelt opened her mouth to object. “It is only that I should like this opportunity to ask if I might call upon you one afternoon, Miss Burton.”
Ivy stared up at the gentleman in astonishment, having never expected such a thing to come from his mouth. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a rake, choosing to toy with the young ladies of his acquaintance rather than have any true interest in them.
“I hardly think—”
“I am aware that you will have heard of my reputation from Lady Landerbelt,” he continued, breaking through her concerns. “I am sure that each word that has been said is quite true, and I would not refute them for the world. However,” he continued, a good deal more firmness in his voice, “I have found myself more than a little eager to know your name and to be introduced to you, Miss Burton. I cannot explain, even to myself, the reasons for my eagerness, but it is there nonetheless.
“You can hardly expect Miss Burton to simply trust your word,” Lady Landerbelt interjected, coming to stand a little closer to Ivy, as though to protect her from Lord Sutcliffe. “Come now, Lord Sutcliffe, what do you mean by this?” There was a hardness in her voice now, an anger that betrayed the truth of her emotions. “You cannot surely expect either myself or Miss Burton to believe that you are genuine in such a request.”
He held Lady Landerbelt’s gaze for a moment or two, deafening silence growing between them. Ivy wanted to say something, to find some remark that might shatter the tension, only to find that whatever she thought to say died on her lips, leaving her to wait impatiently for what Lady Landerbelt might say.
“I am true in my request,” Lord Sutcliffe told her. “I have every desire to—”
“And you know very well that we can put no trust in your words, “ Lady Landerbelt interrupted angrily. “Come now, Lord Sutcliffe, be reasonable! Miss Burton has only just been introduced to you and now you seek to court her?”
Lord Sutcliffe chuckled, which did nothing to settle Lady Landerbelt’s anger. Instead it only made it worse, with her cheeks filling with color and her eyes sharpening.
“I am not attempting to court Miss Burton,” he said firmly, “but rather I hope to know her a little better, that is all. Taking tea, mayhap, or a walk in the park? Or even a bookshop, since I know you are inclined to go there.” His gaze drifted back towards Ivy, but she said nothing, keeping her face free of any emotion whilst her thoughts tumbled around her. This was not at all what she had expected, and she certainly did not want to take tea with Lord Sutcliffe, not when he was well known to be a rake. She was attempting to keep her reputation quite pristine and that meant that she could not even consider taking tea with someone such as he!
“I do not think it would be wise,” she said firmly, as both Lord Sutcliffe and Lady Landerbelt looked at her in surprise. “The truth is, Lord Sutcliffe, I am seeking a husband.” She spoke openly and with more honesty than she had first intended, which was, most likely, another consequence of being in close friendship with Lady Landerbelt. “I highly doubt that you are of the same persuasion, and thus, there can be no reason for either myself or Lady Landerbelt to consider you suitable.” She shrugged and made to turn away. “I do apologize.”
“Then I shall prove it to you!” he exclaimed, catching the attention of one or two passersby, who looked in his direction. “I shall not give attention to any other young lady of the ton whilst I seek to be granted a deepening acquaintance with you, Miss Burton.”
The fervency in his eyes and the eagerness in his voice took Ivy completely by surprise, and she looked to Lady Landerbelt, seeing the very same astonishment settling into her friend’s expression.
“I am determined, Miss Burton,” Lord Sutcliffe continued, with such a firmness to his tone that, despite herself, Ivy found her heart eager to believe him. “I shall prove it to you, if I must.”
She hesitated, seeing the tiny shrug that Lady Landerbelt sent her way, silently telling her that this was to be her choice.
“Might I ask why, Lord Sutcliffe?”
A slightly puzzled air told her he did not understand her question.
“Why you are so eager to pursue me?” she asked, as his confusion lifted. “You are a gentleman with a high title, an excellent family, and a good deal of wealth. Why should you pursue me? Particularly when you could have the company of any young lady you desired.”
Ivy watche
d Lord Sutcliffe closely, wanting to see any small changes in his expression. He said nothing for a moment or two, looking back at her but thinking carefully, trying to work out what he was to say and how he was to say it.
“The truth is, Miss Burton,” he said slowly, leaving her breathlessly anticipating every word, “is that you are the first lady in London to turn away from me.” His chin lifted, but his cheeks turned red, as though he knew he were being quite arrogant indeed. “I have never had a young lady turn aside from an introduction to me, have never once had a lady eager to hide from me rather than be introduced to me. I have been quite unable to think of anything else these last few days.”
Ivy considered this, looking at him in surprise. There was an honesty in his expression and his voice that she wanted to believe, but the wise part of her mind told her that rakes were exceptionally good at presenting a false façade in order to achieve what they wanted.
Then what is it he truly wants? she thought, as Lady Landerbelt cleared her throat delicately.
“I will not agree as yet,” she told him firmly. “Perhaps if we are acquainted a little better over the next sennight or so, I might be persuaded to change my mind.”
Lord Sutcliffe bowed at once, lingering there for a moment as though in deference.
“That is wise,” he told her, his head lifting at those swirling eyes looking back into her own. “Might I hope that you are to attend Lord Winchester’s ball tomorrow evening?”
She nodded slowly, surprised to feel a small ball of excitement settle into her belly. “I am.”
“Then might you save me one or two dances?” he asked, a little hoarsely, as if he felt a little nervous over having to ask her such a thing. “I shall come to you directly, of course, so that you might have the other dances free for the other gentlemen of the ton who will, of course, want to have you by their side.”
She smiled at him, a little surprised by his flattery although still filled with a deep sense of mistrust.
Regency Engagements Box Set Page 58