“Here are your glasses.”
They were pressed into her palm and she slipped them on a moment before he spun on his heel and took his leave. But it wasn’t before recognition struck her and an entire new set of emotions rolled through her, the least of which was confusion and anger.
Lord Dalhousie.
If he truly was the man that Lady Osbourne had said would be her possible suitor, then what had been his purpose for kissing her just now? Had this little tryst been some sort of test to see if they might be compatible? To see if she was worthy of being Lady Dollhouse?
Dulcenia clenched her fists. At least the terrible sneezing fit had subsided, but that was the least of her worries, because now she had an entirely new ailment to deal with.
Chapter Three
Carew shoved a hand through his hair and cursed himself the entire way back to the manor. Of course, he wasn’t about to go through that ridiculous party and have everyone notice how…excitedhe was to reacquaint himself with Miss Hargrove. He certainly hadn’t expected his passionate reaction to her, when the only thing that had really changed was her attire. She was still the stuttering, awkward debutante that he remembered, so then what had made him act like such a randy lad lusting after his first woman?
“Lord Dalhousie, just the man I was looking for.”
Carew stopped mid-stride and turned to face the lady who had spoken. He instantly recognized the smooth, silver coiffure and the black attire as those of Lady Osbourne, the most celebrated matchmaker in London.
And she was looking at him as if he were her next conquest.
He suddenly felt sick, because he knew without a doubt who had written that anonymous letter. He also realized that Marcus had been right. He had fallen into a neatly placed trap.
He needed a drink.
Nevertheless, he bowed politely and forced a smile, thankful that his ardor had cooled enough from his interlude with Miss Hargrove, to where he could look the widow in the eye without embarrassing himself.
She paused before him, still wearing that coy smile. “I have a confession to make.”
You sent that letter to the wrong man.
“I fear I lured you to this house party with an ulterior motive in mind.”
Apparently, I’m not getting off the hook so easily.
“Before you despise me for the rest of your days, I hope that you will humor an old woman with a small request.”
He wanted to snort, but respect made him reply evenly, “Of course, my lady.”
“I wrote to you about my dear friend, Miss Hargrove, and how I think you would make a great match for her. She is a shy girl who just needs a bit of coercion to show her full potential.” She smiled pointedly. “It is my hope that you might escort her about to certain activities, but I ask nothing more. If you find you do not suit, I will not press your hand, for the heart does not always lead us the same direction.” Her gaze was unwavering, and Carew now understood how she had helped to secure so many successful matches. “Could you do that for me, Lord Dalhousie, and forgive a meddling lady for securing a bit of fun in her dotage?”
He swallowed over the lump in his throat and forced himself to say, “It would be my pleasure.”
“Wonderful.” She glanced at something over his shoulder. “Ah, here she comes now. I shall introduce you properly.”
Carew told himself he wouldn’t be a coward and run the opposite way, but it was all he could do to stand his ground and appear unaffected by the lady in yellow that appeared in his line of vision. However, when he noticed her pinched mouth and flat expression, it was apparent she was as thrilled to be standing there as he was.
Lady Osbourne waved her hand between them. “Allow me to present Miss Dulcenia Hargrove, the daughter of Viscount Lovell. Dulcenia, this is Lord Carew Fernvine, Marquess of Dalhousie.”
He bowed. “Charmed, I’m sure.”
“Likewise, Lord Doll…er, Dalhousie,” she muttered.
Carew quirked a brow, for it sounded as if she was about to call himDollhouse. That would surely cause his father to turn over in his grave. As he eyed the lady, something told him that this was no milk-and-water miss as he’d originally thought. She had a backbone, and she wasn’t afraid to use it.
Suddenly, this house party didn’t seem so drab, if he had already found a way to get under Miss Hargrove’s skin. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult to turn her head in another direction after all.
For the first time, a genuine smile crossed his lips. “I am looking forward to furthering our relations, my lady. Perhaps I might begin by escorting you to dinner this evening?”
Dulcenia stomped around her chamber,because there was no genteel ladylike gliding when one was fuming. She didn’t trust LordDollhouseas far as she could throw him. That smug smile when he’d offered to escort her to dinner might as well have been accompanied by the swish of a wolf’s tail. He was planning something, but until she could figure out what it was, she intended to be wary of his attentions. Already he’d made some improper advances. If that was the sort of courtshiphehad in mind, she wanted no part of it.
