Gathering her courage, she grabbed her white lace shawl and draped it around her shoulders as she headed downstairs.
“Blasted fox,eluding every attempt we made to ensnare him.” Carew turned to Marcus, who was riding beside him and wore a frustrated expression on his face. “I daresay it’s why I prefer the life of town to that of country living. It’s damned annoying.”
“There was no guarantee that we would be successful,” Carew pointed out. “Can’t you just enjoy the day?” He lifted a hand. “The sun is shining and a grand luncheon is planned for later today with lovely ladies present at our side. And you would ruin it by lamenting the disappearance of a sly fox?” He chuckled.
Marcus lifted a sly brow of his own. “Naturally, you would be delighted to return to Miss Hargrove’s side. Tell me, have you sampled her delights yet? Or is she giving you a merry chase like our dear old fox?”
Carew tried not to let his friend’s words bother him, but his grip tightened on the reins, nevertheless. “I am keeping to my end of the bargain.” He turned to look at him squarely. “And you know I’m not the kind of man to kiss and tell.”
“A fact I’ve always hated about you,” Marcus grumbled. His expression suddenly brightened. “I, however, am not under the same compunction. I had a lovely visitor to my room last night and I daresay the day had dawned rather bright because of it.”
“I applaud your nightly pursuits, Marcus, even if they are not as profitable during the day.”
“Only when it comes to the four-legged variety,” his friend returned. “Don’t you want to know who the chit was?”
Carew snorted. “I will allow my imagination to be my guide.”
“Even if you thought it might be your Miss Hargrove?”
Again, Carew had to force himself not to respond, although he entertained the visual image of jumping out of his saddle and tackling Marcus to the ground. “Not even then, because she is notmyanything.”
“And a good thing of it too, or else you might have to deal with some unwanted competition.”
Carew frowned in confusion as Marcus inclined his head, but then he saw what had captured his friend’s attention as Marcus rode ahead.
He cursed beneath his breath when he spied Miss Hargrove standing beneath a large oak tree and conversing with Lord Everly. They appeared to be quite content, if he were to judge. He should be happy for her that she was entertaining the older gentleman. No doubt he would be kind to her and they would make a good match for one another.
God, he hated that.
He told himself not to ride over to where they stood, but he found his horse going that direction.
Bloody hell. What a hypocrite he was turning out to be.
Miss Hargrove looked up as he rode over, but she quickly averted her gaze, as if he might disappear if she could only pretend that he wasn’t there. He adopted a lazy grin and made sure to turn up his charm as he reigned in his mount before them.
“Good day, Lord Everly.” He gave the elder man a slight nod and then turned his full focus toward the lady, who was still doing her best to look at anything but him. “You’re looking particularly fetching today, Miss Hargrove.”
“Thank you, my lord,” she mumbled with a pinched expression, and then she blatantly left him out of the conversation as she turned a bright smile on her companion. “Lord Everly, you mentioned something about a book in the library that might be of special interest to me. I should like to see it. Now, if you please.”
Lord Everly glanced at Carew and then offered her his arm.
Carew narrowed his eyes as he watched them walk away. Apparently, she was wishing to make him suffer after she’d already spurned his advances. Very well, he would seek out more willing company.
He turned his head and spied Lady Jane’s appreciative gaze upon him. With a broad smile, he headed toward her and tried to pretend that the difference in female companionship didn’t matter. One lady was as good as another.
Not until Dulceniawas safely in the foyer with Lord Everly did she finally release a sustaining breath. She disentangled herself and turned to him. “I do apologize for that, my lord. I’m not generally that rude when it comes to conversing with anyone, but the marquess is just so… so…” She waved a hand and couldn’t even find the right word when it came to how he made her feel.Can’t you?Her conscience taunted.What about excited, enthralled… thrilled?
“Vexatious?” He helpfully supplied.
She instantly latched on to that one. “Yes!” She sighed. She laid a hand on his arm with her gloved one. “Nevertheless, I would enjoy the opportunity to check out the library with you.”
He covered her hand with his own. “Actually, if you might permit me a bit of your time on another matter, Miss Hargrove, I would ask you a question since we are alone.”
She smiled. He really was the most amenable man. “Of course.”
His expression became serious and his kind brown eyes held on to hers. “It would make me the happiest of men if you would consider my proposal and consent to be my wife.”
Dulcenia blinked. She had been expecting many things, but an offer of marriage hadn’t been one of them. “Lord Everly…” For the second time in just a few minutes, words abruptly failed her.
