Neither of them wore gloves. She’d known they wouldn’t be necessary since this wasn’t a formal dinner, but it surprised her that Holbrook had also foregone wearing them. Just how well did he know her brother?
It was foolish to wonder. If she was considering the possibility of taking a lover, surely she could ask the man a simple question. Not that she believed she’d ever be quite so bold, but it was fun to entertain the notion.
“When my sister-in-law spoke about tonight’s dinner party, I wasn’t expecting quite so many people to be in attendance.” She wanted to wince after the words were out. Had that sounded like an insult? Did he think she was questioning why he’d received an invitation? “I mean no offense, of course. But with the ball tomorrow, I’d assumed there would only be a few people here.”
The Marquess of Overlea and the Earl of Kerrick were Alex’s closest friends, and they saw each other every day when they were in town. She’d known the two men and their wives would be here tonight, but she hadn’t expected everyone else.
The Marquess of Lowenbrock was the brother of Overlea’s and Kerrick’s wives, so his presence wasn’t a surprise. But Viscount Ashford’s, Baron Cranston’s, and the Earl of Hargrove’s attendance was unexpected, as was Holbrook’s.
The corners of Holbrook’s eyes crinkled as he smiled down at her. “I think Hargrove and Cranston might have lobbied for my presence tonight.”
She released the breath she’d been holding. Her husband would have bristled at her words even though no offense had been intended. Clearly Holbrook was more even-tempered. It was yet another point in the man’s favor.
“And Charlotte would have agreed because it meant there wouldn’t be an uneven number of people at the dinner table.”
“It seems that is my role now. The man you invite to your dinner parties to even out the number of guests.” Despite his attempt to appear chagrined, he couldn’t hide his amusement.
“Well, I for one am glad I won’t be the only unmarried person here.” She wasn’t sure what made her rush to add, “Fear not, I doubt they’re matchmaking. Charlotte doesn’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
His gaze became serious, and she had the uncanny sensation that he saw right through her. Could he sense how broken and uncertain she was beneath the detached demeanor she’d perfected after her husband made her an object of pity?
“Would she be correct in that assumption? That you’re not yet ready to…?”
His words trailed off as though he’d only just realized the question was too forward, and her imagination leaped to fill in the blanks. To find love again? To marry? To have a torrid love affair?
She was no innocent. As a widow now out of mourning, she knew men would seek her out. They would issue all manner of lewd invitations—over the years she’d seen it firsthand with other widows, who made no secret of the fact they were enjoying their newfound freedom. But somehow she didn’t think that had been Holbrook’s intention.
He stiffened as though just realizing what he’d implied, and she laughed when he passed a hand over his face. When he dropped his arm again, his smile was tilted at one corner. The hint of color high on his cheekbones charmed her.
“One would think I’d never spoken to a beautiful woman before. I meant no disrespect, of course. Please don’t tell your brother. I’m quite famished and don’t relish being thrown out.” He leaned in close. “And my friends would retell the tale for the next year for their own entertainment.”
She laughed again, amused. She liked the viscount, and she didn’t know what to do with that knowledge. “Your secret is safe with me. For now.”
The butler stepped into the room then and announced that dinner was ready. Holbrook raised a brow and held out his arm. He’d been invited to act as her dinner partner, so she shouldn’t have felt the flutter of nerves low in her belly as she tucked her hand into his elbow.
“I’ll endeavor to be on my best behavior for the rest of the night.” The rumble of his voice settled over her, low and intimate.
She didn’t reply, but she couldn’t help the small twinge of disappointment. But we were just beginning to have so much fun.
Chapter 2
Holbrook found it decidedly less enjoyable to attend a ball when every one of his friends was already married. This season he wasn’t the sage friend who saw a little too much—and who did what he could to nudge a friend in the right romantic direction. No, this year he was the only bachelor in the group. He was beginning to feel like he didn’t quite belong. It wasn’t because of anything they said or did, but he couldn’t shake the feeling.
It might be time to give serious consideration to settling down. After all, he wasn’t exactly cutting a swath through the available women of the ton. If that was what he wanted, he knew he’d be able to find a willing bed partner easily enough. Several women that evening had already dropped discreet hints that they’d be open to a liaison.
But surrounded by his happily married friends, he couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable yearning to find the same thing for himself. A woman worthy of his love. One who completed him.
It was a silly, romantic notion, but he’d always been something of a romantic. And yesterday’s dinner had shown him that happiness and long-lasting love was possible.
It took a great deal of effort to keep from frowning as he scanned the guests who filled the glittering ballroom. He stood off to one side and took in the couples who were already dancing. The women wore brightly colored gowns to showcase their attributes, and while many were smiling, it was clear that an equal number were merely tolerating their partners.
And then there were the young women who were standing with their friends and mamas along the edges of the room, trying to appear as though they weren’t desperate to procure their own dance partners.
He didn’t know any of them. He imagined the task ahead as he searched for a bride. He’d need to ask many, perhaps even all, of them to dance. Afterward, courtesy dictated that he call on them the next day.
The season stretched ahead of him, a potentially unending series of tedious days and evenings of getting to know them better. Of trying to weed through the silly young chits to find the one woman who would capture his heart. He was already tired just from thinking about it.
He allowed his gaze to move from group to group as he tried to formulate a plan of attack.
