“Oh, pish.” Aunt Beatrice flapped her hand in the air. “I’ll make Collin see how foolish it is to court a spinster.”
Adrian bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t going to tell his aunt that she’d be wasting her breath. Collin had been making his own decisions since he was twelve. But as long as she was concentrating her efforts on Collin and not on him, perhaps this evening would go smoothly after all.
However, that just meant Adrian needed to find Collin more women to woo tonight so that Lyndsey would turn her attention to him. He grinned. Nowthatwould make a very pleasant evening.
Aunt Beatrice turned back to the kitchen staff and continued explaining their duties for tonight’s event. Adrian left the room and walked back toward his study, but from out of nowhere, a woman’s scent filled the air.
He stopped and listened for the woman’s voice, wondering who could possibly have dropped by to visit without informing him, but he didn’t hear anything. He moved to the nearby rooms – the parlor and the sitting room – but they were empty.
Shrugging, he decided he must be smelling things. After all, Lyndsey had been filling his mind of late, and he absolutely loved her fragrance. Perhaps that’s why he’d detected a woman’s scent.
He continued down the corridor, but then an eerie feeling washed over him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He stopped and scanned the spacious corridor in front of the winding stairs. A noise, from the second floor landing caught his attention and he jerked his gaze upwards. Suddenly, a potted plant came flying over the railing, heading straight for him.
Cussing, he jumped out of its way, only seconds before it crashed to the floor. A mixture of dirt and plant scattered across the tile floor.
Blowing out an exasperated breath, he ran his fingers through his hair.What was going on?One thing was certain, this was not an accident. Another certainty was that Collin was not the only person being targeted.
A clamor of footsteps shook the floor as servants and Aunt Beatrice ran toward him. Of course, his aunt was in the rear since she couldn’t move as fast, but when she reached him, she grasped his arm. Her gaze jumped between him and the broken potted plant.
“What in Heaven’s name...” Her wide eyes met his gaze.
“It fell,” he said, not realizing his voice was shaky. “From up there.” He pointed toward the stairs.
She glared at the nearest servant. “Go upstairs to see who did this. Make haste before they get away.” She returned her gaze to Adrian. “I fear we need to postpone the social tonight.” She shook her head. “Things are happening around here that are inexplicable, and I won’t have rumors being spread through town.”
Postponed?Although he understood his aunt’s distress, the only thing that would calm Adrian’s nerves now would be to see and talk to Lyndsey.
“No,” he snapped. “Tonight’s event will still take place. I won’t hear of it being postponed.” He glanced at the servants. “Andmyword is final.”
They nodded and most of them turned to go back to the kitchen. Two servants brought the brooms and dustpans to clean up the broken pot and plant.
“Adrian, my dear.” Aunt Beatrice shook her head. “I pray you know what you’re doing.”
“Not to worry. I know what I’m doing.” Of course, the first line of business would be to question all the servants, especially the ones on the second level. Someone must have witnessed something. He wouldn’t believe otherwise.
* * * *
THERE WAS SOMETHINGdifferent about Adrian this evening, Lyndsey noticed. He seemed more relaxed and self-assured. There was more confidence in his manner and the way he spoke with the guests at the party.
Then again, he wasn’t the penniless cousin any longer, so he now acted like a true gentleman. Sadly enough, she knew he acted very well and that wasn’t his true self.
Lyndsey really didn’t want to look at him, but because he was sitting directly across from her at the supper table, it was nearly impossible not to see every move he made. He was exceptionally handsome tonight, wearing a light gray suit with a pristine white cravat and shirt.
Quickly, Lyndsey lowered her gaze to the half-eaten food on her plate. What was she doing? Thinking how handsome he looked tonight was not a good way to get him off her mind. Instead, she should think about how handsome Collin was this evening.
She peeked at him sitting at the end of the table. He wore a dark blue jacket with matching trousers, and a white shirt and cravat. But for some reason, he just didn’t stand out as much as Adrian. Collin chatted politely with Lady Margaret and Miss Sophia who sat on either side of him, but his countenance wasn’t as lively as she thought it should be.
Adrian, on the other hand, chatted briefly with his aunt who sat on one side of him, and Lizzie who sat on the other side, but his main focus was on Lyndsey. His eyes sparkled with excitement every time he looked at her, making her wonder what mischievous thoughts were filling his head. She chuckled softly to herself. Actually, she knew him well enough to knowexactlywhat thoughts filled his head.
As much as she tried to think of him as the deceitful scoundrel she’d kissed that first day, because of his actions in saving her the other day, it was hard not to think of him as her hero. As often as she tried pushing those traitorous thoughts aside, the reality was, hehadrescued her. Adrian – not Collin – had been the hero. True, Collin had been injured, but it was still his brother who came to save her.
Never had she been more frightened, and never had she felt more comforted as he’d held her close and rubbed her back while his lips brushed light kisses across her forehead. Sitting that close to him on the horse had felt so right. Having his arms around her, shielding her from anything harmful had been the most perfect thing she’d experienced in such a long time.
Indeed, how could shenotthink of him as her hero?
However, she mustn’t let him know that. She didn’t want him to turn back into that cocksure man she’d met on the estate the first day. And if Adrian knew her heart was melting toward him, he would think he’d won. That would not be a good thing at all.
When the meal was finished, the hosts invited their guests to the music room. Aunt Beatrice entertained them by playing a classical piece on the pianoforte. Lyndsey sat on one of the settees in the room, enjoying the familiar piece. Priscilla sat next to her, thoroughly enthralled with the old woman’s playing. When the woman was finished, everyone applauded. She stood and curtsied, and then nudged Collin toward the instrument. He grinned and shook his head, but those around him encouraged him to perform.
