Carew turned to the open terrace doors to find Lady Jane Allen standing there. She smiled as she walked toward him, and he would have to be blind to mistake the interest in her blue eyes. He would be a fool to turn down that curvaceous figure and the opportunity to see that flaming, red hair spread out over his pillow.
And yet…
The trouble was his cock didn’t even stir. Not even the slightest twitch.
It was only at night, when he closed his eyes and imagined removing Miss Hargrove’s spectacles that his member hardened and pulsed with desire.
Lady Jane stopped in front of him and ran a brazen finger down his chest. “I was told you might wish for some company tonight.”
“Oh? And who might have said that?”
She scrunched up her nose in a coy manner. “Lord Marcus, of course. He is quite concerned about you.”
Carew pretended ignorance. “In what way?”
“That you might give up your bachelor ways for some inconsequential wallflower who is only at this house party because her situation has become quite desperate. She is practically on the shelf already.”
“Indeed,” he murmured tightly. He wanted to say that Miss Hargrove was many things, but inconsequential was the furthest thing he could imagine, but he kept silent and let this little scene continue to unfold.
“Yes.” She gave a slight pout. “It’s sad, really, to see her trying so hard to please you when there is no hope of a union. She really should set her cap for someone else. Perhaps Lord Everly? He’s old enough that a younger wife should suit him.”
Carew narrowed his gaze. Although he’d just told Miss Hargrove that he wasn’t here to secure a wife as her chaperone may have hoped, he started to wonder if he was trying to convince her… or himself. The very idea of Miss Hargrove leaving on the arm of Lord Everly wasn’t something that he was prepared to accept just yet. Perhaps never.
And frankly, he didn’t care to listen to Lady Jane disparage Miss Hargrove any further. He stepped closer to her, and while he could see her pulse flutter at her neck in anticipation of what he might say, the words that dripped scornfully from his lips likely weren’t what she’d anticipated. “Your attempts at caution—and seduction—are useless. Although I may not intend to pursue Miss Hargrove on a permanent basis, I’ve developed a certain respect for her, the likes of which you will never aspire to.” She gasped, her blue eyes filling with outrage, but he ignored it. “And I should warn you that the next time you intend to belittle Miss Hargrove in my presence, I would strongly suggest you reconsider your actions for I am not above a bit of personal vengeance. I have no doubt that you have secrets you wouldn’t care to share with the rest of the world.”
He turned on his heel and left.
Chapter Seven
Dulcenia was in her rooms the next morning, having chosen to take a breakfast tray instead of facing the marquess, Lady Jane, or even Lord Everly. To be honest, she was already growing weary of the marriage mart attempt, and after Lord Dalhousie had dashed any slight hope she might have entertained regarding his suit, she was ready to go home. She supposed if this trip had taught her anything, it was that fine clothes and proper manners didn’t matter when it came to being an awkward wallflower.
A light knock at her door preceded Lady Osbourne’s entry. She paused when she spied Dulcenia still in her nightdress and robe, curled up in a chair by the fireplace with a book she’d pilfered from the library the night before when she’d parted from the marquess. “Why are you not dressed yet?”
Dulcenia reluctantly shut the book and set it on a nearby table. “Because, for all of your endeavors, I feel this quest for obtaining a husband is futile.”
“Nonsense.” The older woman waved a hand and walked over to sit down across from her. She smoothed her black skirts and asked shrewdly, “You must not know me very well if you think I shall concede defeat so easily. Now, my dear girl, tell me, what are you on about? What has caused these doubts?”
“They aren’t doubts,” she corrected. “The marquess told me that he did not intend to marry me when the house party has concluded. It’s difficult to be more precise than that.”
The lady was not deterred. “A man’s mind can change as easily as a woman’s. He just has to be convinced the marriage ishisdecision and not yours.”
Dulcenia frowned. “How might I manage that?”
“Why, you ignore him, of course. There is nothing a man detests more than a lack of interest from the fairer sex. For a man like Lord Dalhousie, who is handsome and appealing, it is even more so. He considers himself to be quite a catch, but when he is reminded that he isn’t the only man capable of competing for your hand, some of his pride will falter, and that’s when you shall triumph. It’s that simple.”
Dulcenia blinked. She didn’t find anythingsimplein what she’d just been told, but since Lady Osbourne was the matchmaker, she had no other options but to rely on her guidance.
She rose to her feet. “Now, you must make yourself ready with all due haste. The men are currently out on a fox hunt, but they will be returning soon. You must make sure you are there to allow Lord Dalhousie to see you. After such a physical sport, they will be anxious to continue their pursuit, and you, Miss Hargrove, shall be the ultimate prize.”
“But you said I should ignore him.”
“And you shall, but onlyafteryou show him what a beauty you truly are. Congratulate him and the other competitors on their hunt, and then allow your head to be turned elsewhere. Trust me, it will drive him mad with desire for you.”
Dulcenia’s face heated. “Are you sure I should try to gain his… desire?”
“Naturally,” Lady Osbourne said firmly. “An attractive outer shell is only enhanced by an inner allure, and I can promise you that he has already noticed both. Be the coquette and he will soon offer for you, regardless of what he’s told you. Mark my words. It will happen.”
As Dulcenia’s lady’s maid assisted her into a light green muslin, she thought of what her chaperone had told her. Could she truly play the flirtatious siren who tempted Lord Dalhousie beyond all reason? She rather thought it sounded underhanded, and the path to deception instead of love, but again, she told herself that Lady Osbourne knew of what she spoke.
