“Thank you.” He tugged on the bottom of his waistcoat and finally went to join the three other men.
Warren resumed his strategic location on the settee, eating a cucumber sandwich and grinning at Darius. He raised his cup of tea in a little salute. Darius tried to erase his frown as he faced Meredith’s callers.
“Gentlemen,” Darius greeted them, shaking their hands.
He did his best not to interfere with Meredith as she poured everyone tea and saw to the refreshments. Warren had eaten his third helping of teacakes and had turned his attention to the cucumber sandwiches, clearly unbothered by the new arrivals. It was hard for Darius to force himself to smile and be congenial whenever he glimpsed Meredith smiling or laughing at something one of gentlemen said. It wasn’t because he didn’t want her to smile or laugh. On the contrary, her laughter always took his breath away, but he wanted to be the one causing her such moments of joy. Right now he felt like some fool that was merely hovering on the edges of her beautiful world, unable to touch her, to bask in her light.
Meredith’s green and white gown trimmed with small gold tassels was bewitching in the way it displayed her exquisite curves. Every man in the room was focused raptly on the young lady. Determined to distract himself, Darius caught Warren’s eye and indicated his friend should come over to him with a subtle jerk of his head. Once he and Warren were a ways off, Warren cast a glance back at the small crowd.
“You know, I believe Evers might be a fine chap.”
“What?” Darius asked.
“Jordan Evers. Always liked the fellow,” Warren explained. “Good taste in horses, reads a fair amount, and he possesses a decent townhouse and fortune. He’s always been a solid man when it comes to the ladies. Meredith would do well with him.”
“Oh, right,” Darius shot Meredith’s suitor a look before giving himself a shake to focus. “No, it’s not that. I have something I could use your help with.”
“Not suitor related?” Warren grinned.
“No. Something more worrisome.”
“Something more worrisome than three chaps fawning over our Miss Montague right under your nose?” Warren teased.
Darius was at a loss as to how to respond because he certainly didn’t want anyone man fawning over Meredith. But what he wanted to talk about would help Meredith, because he couldn’t get that worried look in her eyes out of his mind.
“Please, Warren, it’s a serious matter. One that has greatly distressed Meredith and I believe you can help put her mind at ease.”
Warren sobered at Darius’s tone. “What do you need help with?”
“Mr. Crell, my neighbor directly behind this house is bound for the country today. Could you follow him and see if his wife, Mrs. Crell, travels with him or whether he meets her at his country house?”
“I certainly can, but why?”
Darius bit his lip, his voice softening further. “Last night, before leaving for the ball, Meredith heard a scream while she waited for me in my coach. She believes she saw someone in the mews next to my stables struggling with another person. I was fetching my cane and didn’t hear it. Then Meredith noticed that the master bedchamber had been completely emptied at the Crell house, even the linens had been stripped and the wardrobes emptied of every bit of clothing. Chelsea spoke with the Crells’ butler and was told that Mrs. Crell and Mr. Crell are moving to the country and that she is feeling better, but the woman is a known invalid, and has been for years. Meredith fears that Crell has done something to his wife. I told her of course that it could be as simple as the husband and wife sleeping in different rooms, and they’ve already packed up Mrs. Crell for the move, but still…something about this entire situation leaves me unsettled.”
“I’ll be happy to investigate, old boy,” Warren said without hesitation.
“You had better go now and see what you find out. Trail him as far as you are able without being noticed.”
“Wait, you aren’t only saying this to get rid of me, are you?”
“I assure you, that is simply a happy coincidence,” said Darius with a straight face.
Warren nodded and excused himself from the room, but not before bowing over Meredith and making a show to the other three men around her as he kissed her hand, making her blush.
The girl blushed too often for Darius’s liking. She was so damned innocent. And Warren was right. His attentiveness to Meredith had only made the three suitors even more enamored with Meredith. It was going to be a bloody long afternoon.
8
Meredith was exhausted by the time the last of her callers left, of which there had been seven by the time the morning calls were over. She slumped down on the settee in the drawing room, heaving a sigh. Even when Darius re-entered the drawing room, having just seen the last of the men out, she didn’t move from her spot.
“I didn’t realize these calls would be this exhausting,” she confessed as he spotted her. “You don’t often call on ladies like this?”
He laughed. “Christ no. But I’ve never pursued anyone with the intent of marriage. I thought they would never leave. Then again, you were terribly entertaining to be around.” Darius came over to where she lay lengthwise on the settee. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all. I’m afraid I can’t move…simply too tired,” she stifled a yawn.
“Not to worry.” Darius bent, gently moving Meredith’s legs so he could sit next to her, then placed her legs across his lap, allowing her to continue her repose. His head fell back on the settee, and his hands rested lightly on her shins.
