Adrian waved his hand dismissively. “Regardless of whose fault it is, she needs to leave posthaste, and take her milksop son with her.Youneed to make sure they leave today. She won’t be very happy with me if I try to push her to go.”
“That, my dear brother, is not my problem. It’syours, since you are the only one who wants them gone. I don’t have time for your nonsense. I have people to visit today, starting with Miss Bridget Hartwell.”
Adrian sucked in a quick breath. Panic mixed with anger filled him. Collin couldn’t possibly be interested in a woman who found it difficult to touch him during their dance. “Are you jesting? Why not Lady Margaret?”
Collin’s gaze narrowed. “Have you met her? Why would you think that woman would interest me?”
Adrian huffed. “Out of all the lovely ladies in attendance last night, why Miss Hartwell?”
A soft smile crossed Collin’s face. “She’s different from the other women, and I find her delightful.”
“And you were able to get that impression of her during one dance?”
“Actually, we danced again later in the evening.” Collin sighed. “She was more talkative then. And she is such a dear. She even kept Aunt Beatrice and Walden entertained for a few minutes while I fetched them some punch.”
Adrian inwardly bristled. Because he’d needed to hide from their aunt last evening, he wasn’t able to keep his eyes on Bridget after their interlude. “Well, I can assure you, Miss Hartwell is very outspoken. If you recall, I conversed with her for a little while.”
“Actually, she wasn’t outspoken at all. Perhaps she was that way with you because you irritated her so.”
Muttering under his breath, Adrian clenched his jaw. “No, that is not it at all.” He tried to calm the annoyance rising inside him. “But I can tell you that she is not your type. In fact, I think you should court Lady Margaret. From what I’ve heard, her family has money, so at least we know she isn’t marrying you because of your wealth.”
“Thenyoucourt her,” Collin snapped.
Adrian snorted. “I’m not going to court anyone—not for a few years.”
“Although I found Lady Margaret comely, I found Miss Hartwell lovelier. She was such a delight, and when she went out of her way to chat with Aunt Beatrice and Walden, that made me realize how special she is—so much more, in fact, than the other ladies I conversed with. So, I don’t know why you cannot approve.”
“She… she…”Think, Worthington!“Because she wouldn’t make a very good countess.”
Collin tapped a finger on his chin. “And what makes you come to that conclusion?”
Adrian scrambled to come up with something plausible. Telling his brother that the woman was in his arms in a dark pantry for more than twenty minutes wouldn’t be a good idea. “Did you not see the freckles on her nose?” He shook his head. “She obviously doesn’t approve of bonnets, and both of us know what society expects from ladies who gain a title.”
“Freckles? Really, Adrian? You are being ridiculous, as always.” Collin lifted his chin haughtily. “Besides, I found they gave her lovely face a glow of enchantment.”
Adrian hated to admit that he found them adorable as well. And Bridget was certainly a beautiful woman with a fun sense of humor and a quirky personality. Not only that, she had the most kissable lips…
“And since I’m the one looking for a wife—not you,” Collin continued, “I don’t see why you are trying to convince me otherwise. You should be relieved I’m not trying to findyoua wife, as well.”
“I’ll not allow you to waste your time,” Adrian grumbled, hating that his brother was trying to control him. That was their father’s duty, not Collin’s. And even then, Adrian wouldn’t allow his father to do such a dreadful thing.
“Stop trying to convince me that Miss Hartwell wouldn’t make a fine countess. Whether you like it or not, I will call upon her this morning, and if I feel the same as I did last night, I’m going to ask her father’s permission to court her.”
Adrian scowled. “If you didn’t want my opinion of the woman, why have you ridden all the way out here to tell me?”
Collin laughed. “I wanted to see your reaction, and now that I know how the woman irritates you, that tells me how much I’m going to enjoy her company.” He nodded. “Good day, brother. I hope you find yourself in better spirits when you get home. After all,youare the one who has to convince Aunt Beatrice to leave.”
As Collin turned his horse around and rode back toward the estate, Adrian mumbled curses under his breath. There was no way he could allow his brother to court Bridget. Not until he proved his theory of her being a calculating farthing filcher who was only after a title. He must discover if she could still be attracted to a penniless man before he would allow his brother to court her.
But now Adrian had to think of a way to keep her from seeing Collin this morning.
Suddenly, an idea popped into his head. Grinning, he kicked his horse into a run, heading directly toward the Hartwell farm.
*
Bridget hummed ajoyful tune as she hung the laundry in the backyard. She had been up since the crack of dawn, and a smile hadn’t left her face since. Unfortunately, she didn’t know what exactly it was about last night that made her smile. Was it Adrian’s exciting kisses, or the fact that she had somehow gotten the Earl of Hanover’s attention?
No, it couldn’t have been Adrian’s kiss. She had felt like such a wanton woman after leaving him at the stable, and she couldn’t shake off the guilt. So, it must be Collin that kept her smiling.
