“Hah! I would counter that for someone who wishes to be Prime Minister, Your Grace, you should perhaps develop thicker skin and better emotional control than to be overset by one unconventional lady. And the daughter of our host, no less! Moreover, Lady Isolde’s behavior pales in comparison to mine. Yet, I am received in Society and—”
“Your behavior is hardly common knowledge,” Kendall hissed. “HadleycelebratesLady Isolde’s ruinous conduct, and then expects others to—”
“Ah, Kendall,” a man said from behind them. “There you are.”
Kendall froze and then slowly pivoted around.
An older, bearded gentleman stepped into view. Maybe an inch taller than Allie herself, he exuded the commanding calm of a man who had seen and done much with his life.
Taking in a deep breath, Kendall visibly tamped down his temper, morphing from fuming to collected between one breath and the next.
It was a rather eerie sight, truth be told.
How many years of practice had it taken, Allie wondered, before her twin had learned to swallow back his emotions so ruthlessly? And how interesting that Lady Isolde had caused such an uncontrolled outburst.
“Charswood,” her brother said, tone even. “A pleasure to see you again.”
Uffa.This gentleman was the Earl of Charswood? The man Kendall intended her to marry?
“And you,” Lord Charswood nodded. His eyes drifted meaningfully to Allie.
She forced herself to stand ramrod straight under his scrutiny, feeling far too much like a filly on the auction block at Tattersall’s.
“Charswood, may I present my sister, Lady Allegra Gilbert? Lady Allegra, Lord Charswood.” Kendall turned to her with a tense smile.Be polite, his eyes warned.
Allie obliged. She was not going to risk her pin money and the hope of a future free of Kendall’s tether. Obedience was key as she laid the groundwork for her plans.
She dropped Charswood her most elegant curtsy, the one the Duke of Trento had once praised.
Charswood returned with a bow.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Allegra,” he said, gaze assessing. “Your brother has often praised your virtues but neglected to mention your remarkable beauty.”
Allie pasted on a demure expression. “You are too kind, my lord. I am sure my brother, like most of his kind, fails to see any comeliness in a sibling.”
His lordship smiled. “To his own loss, I must say.”
Ah, the man could deliver a pretty compliment.
They spoke of inanities after that—their journey and lengthy pause in Whitby, the weather at sea and the possibility of rain here at Muirford House.
Allie was careful to not seem enthusiastic. No need to have Kendall think she approved of Charswood. She would, of course, be refusing the earl.
But that didn’t stop her from studying the man—body neither thin nor stout, gray beard and hair, brown eyes. He seemed affable enough, exuding the authority of an aging statesman without excessive arrogance or sneering condescension.
In short, he was not . . . dreadful. He had most of his hair and teeth, which as an endorsement for matrimony, was not quite ringing, but not terrible either.
Not terrible.
How every young lady wished to describe a potential husband.
Charswood and Kendall drifted into discussing the rising price of grain and an amendment to the Corn Laws they were considering, giving Allie a reprieve from the conversation.
Her gaze flitted over the other guests gathered on the veranda. She told herself she wasn’t searching for Ethan’s buoyant grin, but she recognized that for the lie it was.
After so many days of Ethan’s effervescent company, it was difficult to contemplate life with an older, staid gentleman like Charswood. Or even, quite frankly, an afternoon.
A few minutes later, Kendall bid Charswood goodbye and led Allie back to the drawing-room.
