“Since my cousin is here,” Alethia said carefully, “and came directly from London, his home is still closed up, probably with little in the way of food or niceties.”
Lady Brilliance looked at him for confirmation.
“Sadly, it is true,” he said. And it was. After the party, he would be going to Joyden’s Wood directly. By then, his minimal country staff ought to have everything open, aired, dusted, polished, and stocked. He would be blissfully free from Parliamentary duties as well as from prying females who barged in when he was losing himself in his music. Or rather, when he was finding himself. For while playing the piano, with the notes in his head sounding clear, resonant, round, and rich through the instrument, only then was his mind at peace.
The rest of the time, he could hear any music he merely thought about. With his perfect pitch, the notes played inside his head as precisely as if he were at the piano. That almost never ceased, although sometimes he wished it would.
Vincent glanced at the most disturbing, intrusive woman he had ever met. Lady Brilliance was staring directly back at him. He felt her clear, penetrating gaze like a punch to the gut.
What the devil?She was so plainly wishing they were still alone that he feared the others would see it on her lovely face, too.
He clapped his gloved hands to distract and call attention to himself. Unfortunately, he hadn’t planned anything to say. Thus, after an awkward pause, he asked, “Are we finished here?”
His cousin shook her head. “Are you eager to get back on your horse? I know you’ve seen all this before, and no one will mind if you wish to leave. But some of my guests are only now making it this far.” She looked at the others gathering on the top of the hill.
“Was the view worth the climb?” asked Lord Fincham, cresting the plateau.
“Indeed, it was,” said Lady Georgiana, but she was staring at Vincent, not out over the valley.
“Tell us what we’re seeing,” demanded Lord Patterson. The Colonel began to point out landmarks as far as the eye could see.
Suddenly, Lady Brilliance was at his elbow. “I am ready to return and would be pleased to ride back with you.”
He sighed. She was not a strumpet, but no one would be faulted for thinking her one.Had she no sense of decorum?But her blue eyes in the mid-day sunshine bewitched him, and her hopeful smile was impossible to destroy with harsh words.
“If your friend accompanies us, then I shall happily be your guide.”
A shadow crossed her face. He’d thwarted her attempt to be unaccompanied. Oddly, he didn’t put her in the same class of female as Lady Georgiana, or the many others who tried to manipulate or coerce a man. Lady Brilliance genuinely seemed to like him and merely wished to spend time together.
As did he.
However, he would be a blackguard to kiss her again or even be alone with her. In a few days, she would be returning to London, and he didn’t want her to leave with false expectations or, worse, a broken heart.
Far worse than that would be if they let desire take them too far, and she went home ruined. Vincent wasn’t prepared for the Earl Diamond showing up on his doorstep demanding he marry this peculiar young lady.
“I will go, too,” Lady Martine said.
“So shall I,” Lord Patterson declared.
Thus, the four of them strolled back to their waiting horses. Easily, they paired up with the ladies riding ahead and the gentlemen behind.
Vincent thought he had satisfactorily deferred any and all issues until Lady Brilliance turned in her sidesaddle to address him. “Do you really think your home is in such a state of disrepair that we cannot visit?”
He cursed the range of movement that riding aside gave a female, as she could as easily turn her torso and speak with him as she could look forward.
Lady Martine coughed loudly.
“Are you well?” Lady Brilliance asked.
“Yes,” she said, “merely some dust in my throat. What is on Lady Twitchard’s schedule for this evening?”
Bless her heart,Vincent thought,for distracting her persistent friend.
“Charades,” responded Lady Brilliance. “I do so love them, although I often am stumped by the riddles.”
“Then we must be partners,” Lady Martine said, “and help one another.”
“I had hoped to partner with you,” Lord Patterson said.
