“I… I would be honored, my lord.” She handed Adrian her empty champagne glass as if he were nothing but a servant.
Collin held out his elbow, and she placed her hand on his arm as he escorted her to the dance floor.
Adrian clenched his teeth as he watched the pair dance. Thankfully, it was another reel. But still, he didn’t like the way Collin’s eyes glimmered, or the way Bridget’s demeanor had changed to one of shyness.Shy?Bridget was not shy. She was bold with her words, which Adrian liked. So, then why was she so different with Collin? It was as though she’d changed into a different woman entirely.
When another servant walked by with a tray, Adrian set the empty glasses on it and took a full glass. This time, he didn’t sip it, but tossed it back quickly, as though he was a man who had been denied the luxury of a drink.
The longer he watched his brother and Bridget, the more his anger built up inside him. Why was this dance taking so long, anyway? But as Adrian studied her, he realized that the few times she had to hold Collin’s hands, she hesitated.
Slowly, Adrian’s tense body relaxed as he kept his curious stare on the woman. He still wondered about the shy way she looked at his brother, but why did she find it difficult to touch his hands? If this woman wanted to win Collin’s favor, wouldn’t she touch him more? Very odd, indeed.
When the dance was finished, Collin led Bridget back to Adrian. He still didn’t approve of the stars in his brother’s eyes when he thanked her for the dance.
Collin met his stare. “I need to talk to you for a moment…cousin.”
Adrian nodded and turned to Bridget’s flushed face. “If you’ll excuse me, I won’t be more than a moment.”
She smiled. “No need to hurry. I shall find my father.” She curtsied, turned, and left.
Adrian threw a scowl at Collin. “What wasthatall about?”
Collin shook his head and leaned closer to Adrian’s ear. “This game must stop. Too many people are asking why you aren’t here.”
“No, you’re wrong, dear brother. I’ve heard the gossip moving around the room, and everyone believes I’m away on business, which is just as I had planned.”
“William,” Collin grumbled in a low voice. “You know I’m not happy with this game you’re playing.”
“But it’s too late to stop.” Adrian grinned victoriously. “Besides, I’m weeding out the women who only want you for your money. So, if you must validate my reasoning, I’m actually being an admirable brother by helping you find the perfect wife.”
Collin scrubbed his hand over his chin and blew out a heavy breath. “William, you’re confusing being admirable with being a nuisance, because we both know you’ve always been a thorn in my side. But unfortunately, we can’t tell everyone who you are now. That will make us laughingstocks. And I won’t have our family name ruined.”
Adrian snorted, recalling Trey’s warning earlier today. “My dear brother, when will you learn that people with money will never have their names ruined? Not only that, but our cousins attending tonight’s events already know what part I’m playing. I informed them as they arrived. And stop calling me William. I’m Adrian.”
Collin’s eyes narrowed. “You need to grow up, and fast. Let’s hope you can find someone who will lead you in the right direction, because heaven knows I cannot do it.”
Collin turned to leave but came to a sudden stop as he glanced across the crowd. His eyes widened. Adrian tried to see what had disturbed his brother, but he couldn’t find the culprit.
The older sibling swung back to Adrian and scowled. “I don’t know how you’re going to get out of this mess, but Aunt Beatrice just sashayed in as if she owned the manor.”
Adrian held his breath. What wasshedoing here? But it was too late to start asking his brother why he’d invited her, of all people. The old windbag’s middle name wasgossipmonger. Their ancient aunt created rumors just to keep herself entertained.
Grumbling under his breath, he shook his head. How could he fix this mess? “Collin, I need you to distract her so that I can leave out one of the back doors.”
Collin’s glare darkened. “And once again, I’m covering up your blunders. Mark my words, this will be the last time I do this for you.”
Adrian rolled his eyes. “Indeed, you are a superb brother, and I should feel very fortunate for your assistance. But you’re wasting time, so go stall that woman. Ourdearaunt won’t understand at all, and we don’t need the countryside judging us for this cover-up.”
“Judgingus?” Collin’s mouth tightened. “Take responsibility for your own mistakes, Adrian. I will not be blamed for this one.” He turned and took long strides toward their nosey relative.
Adrian finally spotted the old windbag, and her weakling son shuffling beside her as if he needed his mother to do everything for him. The tall, frail woman’s gray hair appeared blue tonight because of the lighting in the room. Aunt Beatrice leaned heavily on a cane, but she smiled brightly as she moved her gaze around, looking at all the guests.
It didn’t take a genius to know what the woman was speculating. She would try her best to find her nephews a wife, and maybe, if she was lucky, she’d find her own son someone to marry as well. Nonetheless, Adrian had better leave before she noticed him.
Keeping his head lowered, he moved in between people, heading for one of the doors. Thankfully, he’d obviously played the part of the earl’s cousin tonight well enough, because no one stopped his flight.
Placing his hand on the doorknob, he glanced over his shoulder toward his father’s sister. He groaned. She was looking his way!
Raising her hand, she called out, “Lord William.”
