Grey gently grabbed hold of one of the sticks and pulled it slowly, but at the last second he yanked a bit too firmly, causing several of the other sticks piled on top to jar loose. He gave a mock wince as he finally turned his head and met Araminta’s gaze. “It seems I need more practice.”
He was surprised to see the glimmer of moisture in her lovely eyes and wondered at the cause for it. “I believe it’s your turn, Lady Araminta,” he said softly.
She nodded, but it was obvious she didn’t trust herself to speak as she withdrew her own stick from the pile.
He mulled this over as the play continued, until the floor was clear. It was obvious that Olivia was the champion, for she visibly had more sticks. “You were a worthy opponent, Lady Olivia,” he said with a hand placed over his heart.
She smiled and said, “I suspect that once you properly learn the game, you will best me quite effortlessly.” She got to her feet, and Araminta and Grey followed suit. “If you’ll excuse me, I wish to see what refreshments they are offering. Do you want anything, Minty?”
“No, thank you, dearest,” Araminta returned. Once her sister was gone, she turned to Grey and said sincerely, “Thank you for being patient with her.”
He thought that was rather odd of her to say, so he replied, “Of course. She’s a delightful girl. Why would I not?”
She glanced toward her sister and said, “Livy has a certain aversion to public gatherings. She’s been like that since she was a child. In such it has made her dreadfully shy and withdrawn, but you caused her to talk to you in such a way that she felt comfortable enough to get some punch without me at her side.” She offered him a watery smile. “It meant a lot to me that you were so kind.”
“I would be happy to assist any time,” he offered sincerely. “Perhaps we could go for a ride in my landau tomorrow, weather permitting.”
She smiled slowly. “I’d like that, my lord.”
As someone came over to chat with her, Grey couldn’t help but stand a little bit taller at her acceptance.
Araminta leftthe party that evening, her heart warmed in more ways than one. After Olivia had gained some courage, thanks to the attentions of Lord Somers, she had actually started to come out of her shell and begun to flirt with a couple of gentlemen who wished to pay their addresses to her. If Olivia continued to encourage such attention, Araminta was certain that her youngest sister would have a proposal by the New Year, if not sooner, which would make her very happy indeed.
Once they returned home and Livy and Calliope headed upstairs, she held Isadora back to speak with her. When she mentioned the change in Olivia, and the ensuing ride with the earl the following day, Isa nodded in approval. “I agree that this would be the best thing for our Livy. I think she would be quite happy properly settled and wed with a family of her own.” Her grey eyes narrowed slightly. “What I want to know is, what exactly is your relationship with Lord Somers? He’s beginning to appear quite a bit in our lives lately.”
Araminta gave a slight laugh, although her eyes shifted away from her sister. “There is nothing between us, of course.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
She sighed. “If we have the chance to encourage Olivia to break out of herself, would you have me deny it? She responds to Lord Somers, Isa. Should I deny him her company?”
“And what if he should be the one to make her an offer?” Isa countered softly. “What then?”
Araminta crossed her arms and shrugged. “Naturally, I would be happy for them.”Liar,her conscience accused, but she shoved it aside.
“I suppose if that’s what you wish to tell yourself.” Isadora paused. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt.” With that, she quit the room.
After she was gone, Araminta sank down onto the settee. She hadn’t allowed herself to think about Lord Somers in any other way than a hopeful suitor who was doomed for disappointment, and yet, after the considerate way he’d been with Olivia that evening, she definitely saw him in a different light. Not only was he handsome and charming company, but he was also proving that he wasn’t the unrepentant rake that she’d originally thought. Unlike his companion, Lord Blakely, the earl had a care for others beyond himself.
And yet, that didn’t mean she shouldn’t be cautious around him. He could easily be a man that she could find herself drawn to, and for a woman who wished to live without the strictures of a husband; it would be detrimental to her ultimate goal in making her own way.
She squared her shoulders and stood. She needed her rest and sitting there and allowing her mind to run wild would accomplish nothing. As she entered her room, her maid assisted her out of her gown and stays and then took her leave while Araminta changed into her nightdress.
However, it was after she was tucked into her bed that the true disturbing visions of Lord Somers refused to abate. She dreamt of what it might be like to kiss him, to have those glorious hands caress her skin. She tossed and turned most of the night while her heart raced inside of her chest and her body burned with desire.
When the dawn finally arrived, she was exhausted, but more than that, she feared that Isadora might be correct.
If she wasn’t careful, she could give Lord Somers the power to break her heart.
And that wasn’t acceptable.
Four
Grey had been rather excited about seeing Araminta again. He thought they’d had a moment last evening, and he was hoping that meant he was starting to win the lady over. But he would have to tread carefully. He didn’t want her to imagine that he was only being nice to Lady Olivia to be in Araminta’s good graces. If the youngest Bevelstroke sister suffered from public gatherings, he wanted to be able to do what he could to set her at ease. She was certainly lovely enough that, if introduced to the right gentleman, she would start to blossom like the undiscovered rose she was.
Araminta, on the other hand, had fully bloomed. It was this strong, self-reliant woman who had instantly captured his interest to the point he feared he would easily do anything she asked, if only she would agree to be his.
He strode up the steps to the door of their house the next afternoon, and handed his card over to the butler who answered. He removed his top hat as he waited in the foyer, but wasn’t forced to cool his heels for long as the object of his fascination walked down the stairs with her younger sister in tow.
