“I’m certain he would. He enjoys your company nearly as much as I do.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Then I shall ask Priscilla if she’d like to come.”
“Let’s make it for the noon hour, and my brother and I will have a luncheon prepared for us.”
She nodded. “That sounds lovely.”
“Splendid.” He stepped away from her and turned toward the others. She turned as well. Slowly, they started walking. “Do you perchance play, Miss Benson?” He pointed to the pianoforte.
She chuckled. “Very little. My sister is the talented one in the family.”
“If you don’t play, do you sing?” Adrian arched an eyebrow.
“Indeed, I do... but only to help scare away wild animals off our land.”
He laughed, loving how she was able to do that to him. Not many women had a sense of humor that he enjoyed. “How very amusing you are, but I don’t believe you.”
“You can ask any of my sisters. They’ll tell you that when I try and sing, they stuff cotton in their ears.”
He laughed again, and this time, some of the other guests turned their heads and looked their way. Collin also turned to look at Adrian. The earl said something to the three women chatting with him, and made his way toward Lyndsey. Adrian grumbled under his breath. Why couldn’t Collin just let his younger brother enjoy a few moments alone with Lyndsey?
When Collin reached them, she stopped and curtsied. “My lord, I must say that you are very talented on the pianoforte.”
“I thank you, Miss Benson.” Collin smiled widely. “I see my brother has been keeping you company this evening.”
“Yes, he has.” She glanced at Adrian. “I have been trying to convince your brother that I am not talented like my younger sister, but he doesn’t believe me.”
Collin folded his arms and cocked his head. “Now you have me interested as well.”
“Well, I’ll let you know now that I do not perform in public.”
An idea popped into Adrian’s head and he grinned. “Then perhaps tomorrow when you and your sister come over, you shall prove to us what talents you don’t possess.”
Collin’s eyes widened. “You and Miss Priscilla are coming tomorrow?”
“Yes, dear brother. I have invited the two Benson sisters for a tour around our estate, and while they are here, we’ll have a luncheon prepared.”
“That does sound like a very entertaining afternoon.” Collin’s eyes gleamed. “I now find myself wishing this evening was over, only so tomorrow could get here faster.”
Satisfied with his plans, Adrian rocked back on his heels, grinning. For once, he and his brother shared the same enthusiasm. If only there was a way for Adrian to get Lyndsey alone tomorrow. All he needed was a few moments, and then his day would be complete.
Little by little, he was wearing down her resistance. At least she didn’t appear to loathe him anymore, and because he could make her laugh, the future appeared more promising.
One way or another, he needed to show her what a good man he was. Strangely enough, the more he was with Lyndsey, the more he wanted to become the man she deserved.
* * * *
LYNDSEY COULDN’T UNDERSTANDthe anticipation filling her as she hurried through her chores the next morning. In the back of her mind, she tried to think which day-dress she should wear since she only had a few nice ones. She was half tempted to borrow one of her younger sister’s dresses, but then the garments would fit very snugly over the bosom. Perhaps if she could still breathe, it wouldn’t matter how tightly the gown stretched across her chest.
Once she realized where her thoughts were heading, she scowled and pushed them out of her head. Why was she feeling anxious about today’s visit with the earl and Adrian, especially when she’d never gotten this excited about seeing the earl before?
It disturbed her greatly that her heart fluttered every time she thought of Adrian’s handsome face. And that her body tingled every time he touched her. But since that afternoon when he and Collin had taken her and Prissy riding, she’d seen an entirely different man.
She stared sightlessly out across the yard, while her mind filled with wonderful images. Whether she wanted to believe it or not, he had intrigued her by asking her for help in finding clues to what had been happening to him and Collin.
The question was... did Lyndsey really want to help them solve the mystery, or was she attending their luncheon just to see his twinkling hazel eyes that stared at her with so much emotion? Was her sole reason for going because she knew he’d do all he could to stand by her, or touch her arm? She was sure he could tell his nearness made her weak in the worst way.
When Lyndsey made it back to the house to wash up, Priscilla was already getting ready, and chattering non-stop. She didn’t stop talking about the previous night and how much she’d enjoyed playing the pianoforte and visiting with the earl and his aunt.
