“It’s all right. I’m used to being talked about and your lack of guile is charming. I’d imagine it’s quite tedious to be the shining new fish in a muddy, small pond.”
“Yes, more than I expected. I’m not used to this kind of attention.”
“Indeed. We’re rather fond of American girls at the moment,” he said. “You’re so fresh, witty, and, well—rich. We’ve been conquered by our own beautiful traitors, it seems.”
“I’m not so sure about the traitorous part, my lord,” Eliza said coyly. “A certain river battle with cannons made it quite clear Louisiana would never become your colony.”
“I suppose you’re right.” He lifted a brow. “Should we be enemies, then?”
“As we’re neighbors, I’d rather not be.” There was a heavy pause as the boldness of her words lingered between them. Eliza felt those marvelous eyes falling over her again—first on her hands, then on the pulsing hollow of her throat.
“I saw you on the night you arrived, you know.”
“Oh?”
“At your window, before the storm. I’d heard a sound like a pistol shot and looked over my shoulder. The wind was blowing your nightgown about. I couldn’t help but notice.”
The sly innuendo in his voice met its mark. A flushing heat climbed from Eliza’s bosom to her neck. Unbidden attraction danced within her anxiety—a swell of carnal tension that frightened as well as thrilled her. She suddenly wished she had a cigarette—anything to distract herself from the florid green of his eyes. He’d captured her attention as surely as if she’d been caught in a snare. “I ... I saw you as well,” she stammered. “You sit handsomely on your horse, Lord Havenwood.”
“I do enjoy night rides. They bring me out of the dank air of Havenwood Manor. Do you ride, Miss Sullivan?”
“I grew up on a farm with stables. Thoroughbreds. I’ve been in the saddle since I was a girl.”
“Perhaps we’ll ride, then. When I come to call.”
Eliza’s mind swirled as she grasped for a response. Mon Dieu, where was her head? She closed her eyes and reopened them. “Yes, I’d ...”
But her words had gone unheard. Where he’d been but a moment before, there were now only shadows.
CHAPTER 5
The front parlor of Sherbourne House resembled a fragrant conservatory, with vases sprouting from every surface. Lady Gregory’s solstice ball had brought the kind of attention neither Eliza nor Lydia knew how to address, with cards arriving in a near-constant stream. They pored over each one as soon as it was delivered, but none bore the name Eliza was hoping to see.
Lydia wove her way through the flowers, exclaiming over the blushing folds of a damask rose or the perky face of a violet, while Eliza watched from the window seat, anxious to see if another messenger was coming up the path.
“These flowers came from Dr.Fawcett.” Lydia tipped her nose into the petals of a white rose and inhaled. “I have never smelled such a divine fragrance. You simply must experience this!”
Eliza sneezed. “I shall take your word for it.”
“Lord Eastleigh is coming to tea today. Do you remember him? He led you in that marvelous polka.”
“Oh, yes. The most eligible bachelor in Hampshire. How could I forget? I nearly fainted again after dancing with him. I had to go out and take the air.” Eliza gave up her vigil by the window and joined her sister, taking the shears Lydia offered and clipping the stem of a peony.
“That’s where you disappeared to. I wondered. I was left alone with Miss Moseley. She didn’t have anything pleasant to say about anyone. I’d the feeling she was vexed by our presence.”
“I’d agree. Sarah warned me about her. She’s certainly pretty. She should have little cause to feel threatened by us, though I’d warrant many of the ladies felt the same as she—they were only too polite to say so.” A sheepish grin pulled at Eliza’s mouth. “We did steal a lot of the attention, didn’t we?”
“It was grand! I don’t think I’ve ever had a dance card so full.”
Eliza bit her lip and threaded the peony’s verdant stem between a cluster of gladiolus in a crystal vase. “I met Viscount Havenwood. On the balcony.”
“Oh? Did Sarah introduce you?”
“No, we were alone.”
Lydia’s eyes widened. “Liza! Did anyone see you?”
“No, cher—we were only outside for a few moments, but he was more charming than I expected—and wickedly attractive in an eccentric sort of way.”
