“Graham?” Alex’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Yes.” Graham turned to face Alex, who reclined by the fire, legs stretched out and whiskey in hand.
Alex ran his finger along the edge of his tumbler and said, “Camden was speaking to you.”
“Indeed I was,” Camden said, studying him through narrowed eyes. “I asked if you would like to join us at Almerry Castle next week.”
“Hum…” Graham turned the idea over in his mind. Perhaps a trip to Northumberland would be just the thing to clear his mind. Surely, being that far removed from the ton would stop him from constantly searching for the mystery lady. There would be no point to it, not when one considered the complete unlikelihood that she would be in the country during the height of the season.
He sipped his whiskey, then grinned at Camden. “When do we leave?”
“Monday next.” Camden swirled the whisky in his glass, then shot it down. “Rebecca is eager to return.”
Graham looked at Alex. “I assume you and Daphne will go as well?”
“Not this time,” Alex replied.
Camden chuckled. “He is too pampered for life at Almerry.”
“Is that so?” Alex arched an eyebrow. “I hate to disappoint you, old fellow, but I am rather fond of your crumbling castle.”
Graham glanced back out the window. He had not yet been to his cousin’s country home, but had heard enough to know that it required significant repairs. A fact he relished, for it meant he could easily stay busy during his visit.
“Touché, it was the woman next door that you grew fond of.” Camden teased, his gaze on Alex. “Once you caught sight of Daphne, you all but abandoned the castle.”
“What can I say? Northumberland was good to me.” Alex chuckled.
“To both of you, it would seem,” Graham said without turning back to them. Both of his cousins had met their wives and fallen madly in love while at Almerry Castle. Perhaps he would meet a woman in the country that would erase the elusive masked beauty from his memory. One thing was certain—he would not be falling in love.
Graham swallowed the last of his whisky, feeling the heat of it spread through his chest. He walked over to the sideboard and carefully placed his tumbler on the silver tray next to the crystal decanter. “I think I have had enough for one night, gentlemen,” he announced. “I believe I will return home.”
Camden nodded.
“You are a lucky bastard, Graham,” Alex teased. “Our wives would make us miserable if we attempted to depart at such an early hour.”
“One more reason I intend to stay a bachelor,” Graham said before taking his leave.
He had never met a woman—not even the mystery woman—who had made him so much as contemplate matrimony. The very idea of giving up his freedoms and committing to one woman for the rest of his days made his stomach churn.
Not only did he have a distaste for matrimony, but he also had a sordid past he would not saddle on a respectable lady. No. He was quite pleased with life as it was and saw no reason to change it.
Yet another reason he should get the masked beauty out of his head. If he knew anything about her, it was that she was a debutante. Trifling with her could only bring him trouble. No matter how sweet her kisses were, she could not be worth the loss of his freedom; nor did she deserve to be saddled with the baggage he carried.
No woman, regardless of how she captivated him, would ever change his stance. And yet, the woman remained in the forefront of his mind.
Madness, for what else could it be?
Graham’s chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. He was not crazy, just curious about the woman who had caught his attention. She was an alluring mystery, a captivating enigma he could not shake from his mind. Nothing more.
Graham stepped out of the grand estate, the cool night air hitting him as he made his way toward his waiting carriage. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an ethereal glow upon the surrounding landscape. He could not help but feel a pang of disappointment as he climbed inside, leaving behind the possibility of catching sight of his masked beauty once more.
As the carriage rumbled along the darkened streets, Graham’s thoughts wandered back to Almerry Castle. The prospect of escaping to the countryside and immersing himself in the company of his cousins seemed even more appealing now. Perhaps being surrounded by the wild beauty of Northumberland would finally help him put the mysterious woman out of his mind.
Five
Northumberland, a fortnight later
Phoebe stood at the base of the towering pine tree near Castle Almerry, gazing up at her kitten perched on a branch. Lilli’s fluffy grey fur was bristling as she let out distressed meows. “Do come down,” Phoebe called out to her, making clicking noises and using her most persuasive tone, but Lilli remained stubbornly in place. Phoebe sighed and reached for a small bag of treats, hoping the promise of food would entice Lilli down from her perch.
