“What chamber did the housekeeper put her in?” Lance asked.
“What does it matter? They are all presentable.”
“I want to know. I think you can tell me. You found out yourself, didn’t you?”
“Only because I escorted her down to dinner.” He heard himself sound like a boy making excuses for a perceived transgression. “It is the chamber with the green and rose drapery.”
“It is a fairly plain chamber. I expect the housekeeper thought Miss Belvoir would be overwhelmed if asked to live surrounded by silks and ornament. It has a dressing room, however, so she will not feel as thoughshe had been housed with the servants.” He paced on awhile. “Or did you ask to have her put there in that chamber?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Whenever you answer questions with questions, I know you are avoiding the truth. That chamber is not far fromyourchamber, that is why.”
“Isn’t it? I’ll be damned.”
“Play your game as you choose. I believe your dishonorable intentions will only bring you frustration.”
“You are sure you know my intentions, do you?”
“Having seen her, and seen you watching her, I am sure that my earlier suspicions were correct. However, I do not think you will be assaulting that particular tower tonight, and tomorrow Eva arrives. I will charge her with acting as Miss Belvoir’s chaperone.”
“Miss Belvoir does not need a chaperone. She is at least twenty-five, and a woman who knows her own mind. She is well educated, and probably smarter than you are. Furthermore, all of this interference is absurd coming from you.”
“I am only following my lawyer’s advice. Remember? I should be a paragon within the county, at least for a while. I should avoid drunken revelries, or having women in this house for erotic purposes. I should even avoid going to where such women can be found in their own abodes. I must ride out on the estate like a good lord, and be generous in my dealings with all I meet. I must even suffer the company of Radley for half a day, knowing all the while that he is trying to get me hanged.So, if I must do all of that, I’ll be damned if you get to pursue a woman under my own roof while I have to be a monk.”
“You are going to create trouble for me merely because I gave you very sound, very reasonable advice? This is the thanks I get for keeping you out of their clutches?”
“I am doing this because following your advice isdriving me mad. I have no intention of suffering alone. You forced me back here, you insisted I leave town, so you can damned well suffer too. If I needed to forbid Gareth from enjoying his wife’s favors while he visits, I would.”
“Youaremad.”
“More than mad. Insane from boredom. Deranged by abstinence. Unhinged due to—”
“You are too dramatic.”
“Try to seduce Miss Belvoir, and see just how dramatic I can be.”
They let the topic drop, and chatted about other things while they walked back to the house. Lance’s peevish demand for a fellow sufferer did not leave Ives’s mind, however.
Lance had all but thrown down a gauntlet. Ives would be damned before he allowed his brother to dictate like this in any matter, let alone this one, and least of all because Lance was in a fit of pique over his own restrictions.
Pride practically dictated he seduce Padua now, should he choose to listen to that voice.
CHAPTER12
Padua made it a point to finish breakfast before the brothers came down. She enjoyed a walk in the morning garden, then returned to her chamber with a book she requested a footman find for her in the library.
She did not want to be visible when the third brother, Gareth, arrived. She heard the coach outside near noon, however. With its approach the house came alive. Setting aside her book, she crossed to another chamber so she could look down on the welcome.
She identified Gareth at once. He resembled his brothers enough to make his familial connection unmistakable. He appeared a little younger than Ives, but not by much. Dark haired and dark eyed, he shared his siblings’ height and good looks and, she noticed, possessed a very charming smile that carried a hint of mischief.
He helped his wife down. Padua deduced at once that Eva was pregnant. The day’s fashions hid that fairly well, but Eva’s stance spoke of a woman about halfway along.
The welcomes flowed noisily and casually. They all seemed to like each other. Hugs, laughter, a few arm punches, and other masculine play ensued, then slowly they all entered the house.
Eva looked up just before she disappeared under the portico’s roof. An attractive woman, but not a great beauty, Padua observed. Average in size, with brown hair and a pleasant face. Padua felt bad for how that relieved her. Had Eva been a stunning woman, this all would have become even more awkward. Rather this woman appeared about her own age, and not at all conceited.
She returned to her chamber, and to her book. Eventually she would have to go down, but for now she would not intrude on the family reunion. Today she would meet this third brother and his wife and be a guest. But starting tomorrow she intended to make herself scarce.
