Connor saw hischildren settled in the care of Millie and Sarah and then returned downstairs to the parlor, where several of the older ladies had congregated and were listening to Eden’s mother complain about shoe buckles.
Dear heaven.
How was it possible this empty-headed woman and the lovely Eden were related?
He quickly moved on before he was roped into their conversation. “Just hang me from the yardarm,” he muttered, and hurried away despite their calls to have him join them.
Other guests were on the terrace enjoying the late afternoon breeze, and still others were playing lawn games.
He returned inside, once again hastening past Eden’s mother and her circle of friends, who were still talking about her confounded shoe buckles.
A few of the gentlemen had settled in his billiards room for a game, while others looked on and drank his scotch.
They still had a few hours before supper, and he had now taken stock of everyone but Eden. Where was she?
Aubrey stopped him as he marched down the hall to return to the parlor for another look. “Lynton, did you say something to Eden to overset her?” he asked. “She raced into the house, and I haven’t seen her since.”
“Me? I’ve hardly seen her all day. You were the one with her since morning. What did you say to upset her? And do not bother to deny it, for the culprit had to be you.”
“Me?” Aubrey furrowed his brow in genuine concern. “I give you my word, Lynton. If I am to blame, then I do not know what I could have said to rile her.”
Connor’s apish instincts began to take over. “Did you attempt to kiss her?” He was going to rip this man in half if he had tried.
The two faced off against each other like two dominant bulls fighting over the same pretty heifer, both of them refusing to back down.
But Connor was going to win this bout because Eden was his to love and protect, and no one, especially notthisbloody arse, was going to take her from him.
“No, I did not kiss her,” Aubrey finally admitted with a sigh. He rubbed a hand along the nape of his neck. “She is a respectable girl. But I did tell her that I cared for her. Perhaps I revealed too much of my feelings. She seemed not to mind at the time. However, she was not herself when she came back to the food tent after searching for your daughter’s lost trinket.”
Connor uncurled his fisted hands and nodded. “Yes, I noticed that too.”
“Something must have happened between the food tent and the glassblower’s stall. I’m worried about her, Lynton.”
Connor truly wanted to detest this man, but could not. Aubrey was his stiffest competition for Eden’s affections, but who was he to blame but himself for even making it a competition? He should have said something to Eden months ago, when these deep feelings had fixed themselves so deeply in his heart that they could no longer be denied.
And still, he had denied them.
“I’ll talk to her,” Connor said with a sigh. “She’s probably hiding in her bedchamber.”
Aubrey’s eyebrow shot up. “You cannot go up there alone. I’ll go with you.”
“And this will make it less scandalous?”
“Perhaps not,” Aubrey muttered. “Then ask her maid to summon her to you. No one is in your study at the moment. We can speak to her in there.”
“I’llspeak to her,” Connor insisted. “Go about your business, Aubrey. I’ll summon you if you are needed.”
Aubrey obviously was not pleased, but Connor was his host and also had claim to a title superior to his, so the obstinate lord was not going to win this battle of wills. Now realizing Connor would not relent, Aubrey gave him a stiff nod. “Lynton, I will call you out if you hurt her.”
“Rest assured, I will do the same if it turns out you have offended her in any way.”
“Fair enough,” the viscount said with another curt nod, and went on his way.
Connor strode into his study and rang for his housekeeper. The ever-efficient woman scurried in almost immediately. “Your Grace,” Mrs. Dayton said with a swift curtsy, looking so harried that he almost felt guilty for piling another chore upon her overburdened shoulders.
“I believe Lady Eden is in her bedchamber. Kindly ask her to come into my study right away.”
He waited impatiently for Eden to join him, but it was Mrs. Dayton who hurried in a short while later. “Your Grace,” she said, wringing her hands, “Lady Eden refuses.”
