“I was admiring the painting. It’s really quite lovely.”
“Uh, thank you.” She licked her dry lips. “I actually painted that.”
His eyes widened, as well as his smile. “Then allow me to pay you a compliment and tell you how very talented you are, Miss Middleton.”
“I thank you,” she repeated. “But I must know,whywere you standing there to begin with?”
He chuckled. “I was waiting for your brother to join me. We are going riding this afternoon.”
Ellie ran her gaze over him one more time now that she was more alert. There was a slight wave to his dark blond head of hair, especially the thickness gathered at the back of his neck. His blue eyes held a touch of gray and nearly sparkled when he smiled. Indeed, he was dressed for riding with his black coat over a tan waistcoat and white shirt and cravat. Stretching across his legs were beige riding trousers that snugged against his muscular thighs quite tightly. He wore black riding boots, making his attire complete.
Embarrassed of where her attention had wandered, she snapped her gaze up and peered into his eyes again…eyes that were so incredibly dreamy to stare into. He peered at her as though he held some kind of secret. His stare also slid over her, and the longer he looked, the wider his smile grew. Apparently, he must be enjoying the view.
She shook herself and focused on the matter at hand. What could she possibly be thinking? Now was not the time to act like a featherbrained ninny who swooned over a handsome man. Obviously, she acted this way because of her head injury.
“Pardon me, but have we met?” she asked.
He chuckled again. “Indeed we have. We were but children at the time.” He stood and bowed. “I’m Vincent Wallace, Earl of Trenton.”
The Wallace name hit her, stunning her nearly as hard as when her head had whacked against his shoulder. They were children together, and she had disliked his cocky attitude way back then. Vincent and Ellie’s brother, Dominic, were chums for years. Both grew to be rakehells, and because their fathers were titled lords, nobody thought to scold their behavior. A few years ago, it seemed as though Vincent’s family had dropped out of Society as well, because she hadn’t heard the name Wallace mentioned in theton’s circles.
She stiffened her back and rested her hands on her lap, trying to appear proper again. “Yes, I do remember you. Tell me, Lord Trenton, when did you receive your title?”
“Because my father died and left the earldom to me.”
“Please accept my condolences for his passing.”
“I thank you.”
He sighed heavily and glanced back up the hall. She followed his gaze. Her brother had yet to appear. Even the servants were conspicuously absent.
When Vincent returned his focus to her, she noticed a different expression cross his face.
Slowly, he sat beside her…very close beside her.
“Tell me, Miss Middleton, what have you been doing since we last saw each other?” His gaze dropped to her left hand before he stared into her eyes again. “I see you are not married.”
Ellie really didn’t want to converse with a man, especially one with his reputation for seducing women. However, she realized he would be a fool to try anything on his friend’s sister. At least, shehopedhe had those scruples.
“If you must know,” she told him, “I was engaged three years ago, but my fiancé died in battle.” Her throat tightened as memories swam in her head. It was like reliving that painful time all over again.
“Yes, I was informed about Adam Haddington’s death. He was a brave man to have died in such a way.”
She nodded as her throat tightened. Adam had been her hero in all ways. “You are very kind indeed.”
“Are you being courted now?” he asked in a soft voice as his fingers trailed to her hand, rubbing small circles on her wrist.
For the nerve…Gasping, she yanked her hand away and stood. “That, my lord, is none of your concern.”
He rose with her, still standing so very close that she could smell his manly scent, and especially his breath that smelled like grapes.
“Forgive me for intruding on your personal life, Miss Middleton. I was only trying to make small talk.”
She was quite bored with their conversation and didn’t have any qualms about ending it now. Besides, she needed to go to her bedchambers and lie down with a cold rag on her head in hopes of helping the headache pounding in her skull disappear.
As politely as she could, she smiled and gave him a nod. “I shall let you return to waiting for my brother so I can attend to other things. It was…um,niceto see you again, Lord Trenton. I hope you and my brother have a pleasant time during your ride.”
He bowed. “And it was delightful to converse with you again, Miss Middleton.” He stepped closer and placed his hand on her arm. “Please, tell me we can talk at another time. I’m very interested how you can paint so well. I’ve thought about trying my hand at the art, as well.”
