“Ma?” Walden asked in a whiny voice. “Does this mean my lesson is over for today?”
“But of course,” she snapped. “I have more important things to do now.”
Adrian left the room, feeling almost sorry that his cousin had such henwit for a mother. But at least his own plans were in motion for when he would see Bridget next. She would not turn down the invitation, only because the whole family would be invited—even her boisterous sisters. Hopefully, between Mr. Hartwell and the eldest two daughters, they would be able to control the other two.
He went back into his study to work on the business ledgers, but as the day passed, Aunt Beatrice’s shrieking voice jerked him from his thoughts more often than not. He was sure his servants would be relieved when the old woman and her son finally left Hanover Hall. Her absence would certainly remove strain from his life.
His grumbling stomach reminded him he hadn’t eaten lunch, and if he wanted a clear mind to finish the ledgers, a full belly was required. He stretched his arms and yawned before pushing away from his desk and standing. The day was passing too slowly, especially when he anticipated the upcoming dinner social.
Earlier, when he put together the guest list for Aunt Beatrice, he’d made certain to invite families with eligible women, mainly to keep Collin’s focus off Bridget so that Adrian could win her favor instead. He hoped to reignite the yearning way she had looked at him when he rescued her from the runaway horse. He anxiously waited to share a passionate kiss with her as they had done in the kitchen pantry.
It was also his hope that his talkative aunt would distract Bridget’s father and sisters so that he could sneak Bridget away without anyone noticing. He hoped he could convince her that he wasn’t the scoundrel she had labeled him, but instead a man who desired her more than any other woman. Although he’d done his share of breaking women’s hearts in the last several years, he wanted to prove to Bridget that he had changed. Good grief, if his own brother noticed a difference in Adrian, surely he wasn’t the same man as before.
He left the study, searching for his aunt to see how things were going with the party’s plans. The woman’s loud voice led him to the kitchen. She stood amongst some servants, issuing orders. Since her arrival, she had behaved as though she was the mistress of Hanover Hall, and it was her duty to keep the manor running smoothly. She had acted like their mother for as long as Adrian could remember, and although he’d repeatedly told her that he was a grown man and didn’t need mothering, she continued to give it.
He rolled his eyes. Perhaps he shouldn’t scold her yet. After all, if Adrian had his way, Aunt Beatrice would be instrumental in helping Collin find a wife—and it wouldn’t be Bridget.
When the old woman saw him, her eyes widened, and a smile stretched across her face. “William, dear.”
She bustled toward him. Her gray hair bounced on her head, and he feared it would soon come out of the coil she kept it in.
“William, I have everything under control.” She tapped his forearm. “You need not worry. In two nights hence, the dinner social will go off as planned. In fact, the invitations have already been sent.”
“I thank you, dear aunt. I knew it was wise to ask for your help.”
Her cheeks bloomed with color. “But of course. Who else would be so knowledgeable in planning parties, especially at Hanover Hall?” She puffed her chest out like a proud peacock. “Now aren’t you glad I haven’t left yet?”
He dared not reply for fear she wouldn’t approve of his answer. But for certain, after the party, he would inform her that she and her son had overstayed their welcome. With any luck, Collin would agree with Adrian, even though it didn’t happen very often.
“You are certainly a godsend today.” He grinned. “And I know this party will be a success.”
She lifted a finger and pointed it at him. “Don’t ever take dinner socials lightly. One never knows what budding romance might come from it.”
He laughed. Leave it to his aunt to play matchmaker. She was determined to getbothof her nephews married. He wished she would focus more on her own son instead of her nephews. Walden was an odd sort of man who, Adrian was certain, would never marry. What he could tell from watching his cousin during parties was that he repelled most women. In fact, many men couldn’t even stand to play cards with Walden. Adrian suspected the poor man had been dropped on his head one too many times as a baby.
“Oh, Auntie, you are being very humorous,” Adrian said sweetly. “The only person residing in this estate who will marry is my brother, and I assure you, he already has a budding romance started. Two of them, in fact. But with your assistance bringing a few more women into his life, perhaps he will make up his mind and find the one who will be his wife.”
Aunt Beatrice’s mouth hung open as her jewel-decorated fingers flew up to her throat. “Lord Hanover is courtingtwowomen, you say?”
“Yes. He’s been seeing Miss Hartwell, as well as Lady Margaret.”
“Lady Margaret?” The older woman’s forehead wrinkled more, if that were even possible. “But Lady Margaret is practically aspinster. And Miss Hartwell… Well, although she is a fine woman, she lives on a farm. She probably doesn’t even have a dowry.” She nearly spat the word, as if it didn’t belong in her vocabulary.
Adrian shrugged. “Actually, out of the two, Lady Margaret is best suited, since her family has money. She is younger than Collin by a year. I assure you, the woman is marriage material. However, because of his reluctance to ask for the lady’s hand, I fear that he has lost interest, which is why I am inviting other available women to the party for him to become acquainted with. But I need your help to convince him.”
“Oh, pish.” Aunt Beatrice flapped her hand in the air. “I’ll make Collin see how foolish it is to court a spinster, and he’ll find another woman to get to know.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “But that doesn’t explain why you have invited the Hartwell family.”
He quickly thought up an excuse. “Because we don’t want Collin to suspect our motives. You know how hardheaded he is.”
“Indeed. I believe he gets that trait from me.”
Adrian bit the inside of his cheek. He wasn’t going to tell his aunt that neither he nor his brother had inherited anything from her. Collin had been making his own decisions since he was twelve. But as long as Aunt Beatrice was concentrating her efforts on Collin and not on Adrian, perhaps the dinner social would go off splendidly.
However, that just meant Adrian needed to hint to his brother to give the women his undivided attention, as long as it wasn’t Bridget. He would convince his brother how rude it would be to single out one woman at the party. Maybe then Bridget would turn her focus to Adrian, and only him. He grinned. Nowthatwould make a very pleasant evening.
Aunt Beatrice moved back toward the kitchen staff and continued explaining their duties for the dinner social. Adrian left the room to see if the servants had set out the meal yet, since he figured he wasn’t the only hungry person at the manor right now.
As he turned the corner, he detected a woman’s strong perfume. He stopped, inhaling the scent in the air. He frowned. That was a smell he did not know, especially as there were only a few women at the manor.
