Her eyes widened with false innocence. “When I thought back to the first time I met you and the…debauched state you were in, I assured Simon you were of course somewhere with a lady love.”
Daniel chuckled. He had come to love Simon’s wife’s bold vivacity, earning his admiration after he had learned it was her who had defeated his friend in a fencing match a couple years ago and not her brother as everyone had previously assumed. Creswick had always been a man of unfathomable depth, indifferent to many pursuits others reveled in, and was even icily reserved, but then he had met Miss Mina Crawford. It was as if she had bewitched his body and soul, for Creswick wore his heart on his sleeve for his darling wife and the entirehaut tonto see, uncaring about their whispers.
Daniel could not imagine owning such affections and emotions for another, worse that he would walk about appearing like a besotted fool. Marriage alliances had little to do with love and were more practical arrangements, yet Creswick had finally married only for this whimsical thing called love. Cynical amusement twisted inside Daniel. The earl had always been an unusual man; it made sense he finally put the noose around his neck for a reason as whimsical and eccentric as himself.
“You are contemplative,” Creswick said, lifting a brow.
“I read that you have put your full weight behind the call for amendment to the Married Women’s Property Bill.”
“Aye.” Creswick’s gaze sharpened. “Are you interested in joining me?”
Daniel’s mouth hitched. “I am.”
The countess cast her husband a delighted glance. “You aredeplorablypopular, Lord Stannis,” she drawled. “Your move into the current political ring would awe and alarm many in thehaut ton. A dangerous move, my lord, but very welcomed.”
He walked over to the side mantel and poured himself a glass of brandy. Daniel took a few sips before he murmured, “I’ve always been a Whig Liberal.”
“But very indifferent to political power moves and machinations,” Creswick said, his brilliant gaze piercing and cutting.
Daniel lifted a brow, amusement scything through his chest. “I see the wheels turning in your head, Creswick. Does my reason need to be analyzed and dissected? Have I not always supported your motions, hmm?”
“Yes, but without entering the fray. We both know the political underbelly can be dangerous…with deadly enemies to be made, especially those who will oppose the bill.”
A sort of savage thrill moved through Daniel, and Simon’s eyes gleamed.
He lifted his glass to him in salute. “I look forward to the fight.”
“Welcome, friend.”
Daniel tossed back his drink and set it down on the walnut table, moving over to the fireplace.
“I shall check on dinner with the cook, my love. Lord Stannis, please stay and join us.” The countess brushed a kiss over her husband’s jaw, and his lashes fluttered close as if he savored that small caress.
Daniel closed his eyes as memories of his wife…no, not his wife, Georgianna wafted through him. The way her eyes had danced as she’d watched him taste the birthday meal he’d prepared, and the incandescent way she had shined when she spoke about her creative art. The way she’d tasted, and how her shaking fingers had touched his mouth with hunger and stirring tenderness.
“You’ve fallen in love,” Simon said, coming to stand beside him.
Bloody hell. Daniel snapped his gaze open, recoiling from the nonsensical idea. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You have that deep contemplation in your eyes, an expression I have concluded can only be brought on by the madness of loving another.”
A hiss of irritation left Daniel. “I would not love that deceiving little vixen for any damn reason.”
Yet longing for her crashed over his senses and almost broke him. What the hell was this? He’d never believed missing someone could swallow him whole. He was being fanciful, and he was not that sort of man.
The butler interrupted to announce that the Duke of Beswick and the Marquess of Moncrieff had come to call.
Daniel lifted a brow, and Creswick lifted a shoulder. “A happy coincidence.”
He grunted, and soon their two friends entered the library, their elegance of dresses and rakish air about them suggesting they meant to carouse around town tonight. Beswick’s green eyes gleamed when they landed on him.
“I heard you were dead, Stannis. I am relieved it was just a damn rumor.” The duke poured himself a drink while running his gaze over Daniel as if to ensure he was indeed well.
“Where the hell were you?” Moncrieff growled, coming over to slap him across the shoulders. “I bloody hired men to investigate after you missed my third card party. It was too unlike you to go missing without any word.”
“I was shoveling piles and piles of cow shite, while at times being chased by a hen.” He held up his arm. “I have muscles in places I had not thought possible and callouses on my palms.”
Beswick choked on his whiskey. “The hell you say!”
