“Oh, dear me, no,” she said with a shake of her head, which set her blonde ringlets bouncing. “I prefer dancing and embroidery. Music, as well. I haven’t any interest in spending my days lost in books like some bluestocking, though I am certain you read extensively. You are so intelligent, Mr. Archer.”
Brows raised, he agreed with her first assumption concerning his interest in books but didn’t know why she had said the second. Not that he considered himself a dunce, but she didn’t know him enough to make such a claim. Of course, the Mystery Lady had spoken as though they’d known each other for some time—but her comments had been truly insightful and not empty flattery.
Before he could say anything on the subject, David caught sight of Flora standing on the far side of the gathering with Mr. Kellen leaning in. She stepped away, but the fellow closed the distance once more, forcing her backward again. With slow steps, Mr. Kellen herded her away from the rest of the party, and David’s feet moved before he made a conscious decision to do so, dragging Miss Lyons along as they crossed the lawn.
Chapter 14
“Good afternoon, Flora,” said David as they stopped before the pair, though the warmth in his voice faded as he gave the gentleman a nod and a curt, “Mr. Kellen.”
His sister gave him a tremulous smile, though she did an admirable job of hiding her relief at seeing him as he offered up introductions between Mr. Kellen and Miss Lyons.
“Mr. Archer,” said Mr. Kellen. “I hear my father wishes to broker an alliance with your family’s mill. In fact, I believe he was planning on discussing it with your father this afternoon. Some business about cotton investments in America.”
“Is that so?” David’s muscles clenched, and for once, he was grateful Father was occupied with races. Perhaps he’d stay away long enough to forget about whatever business it was, which was unlikely to benefit anyone but the Kellens.
“I was speaking to your sister about it,” said Mr. Kellen, his gaze turning to Flora.
“As I said, Mr. Kellen, Father never speaks to me about business, so I have nothing to say on the matter,” she replied, whilst stepping closer to her brother. In the same instance, Miss Lyons dragged David nearer and positioned herself in front of the other gentleman.
“Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Kellen.” Her words might’ve been censorious (given the fellow’s reputation), but the tone with which she spoke was anything but. Miss Lyons grinned at the gentleman, and though her hold on David’s arm was quite firm, he felt her attention shift.
“Ought I to be afraid?” Mr. Kellen asked with a wicked grin.
If the blackguard didn’t leave Flora be, David would make certain he was very afraid. However, Miss Lyons tittered. Glancing at the lady on his arm, he studied the expression she gave Mr. Kellen, which matched her flirtatious conduct during their game of battledore and shuttlecock.
Perhaps it was simply to make him jealous, but David’s heart lightened as that uncomfortable itch in the back of his mind solidified into an epiphany. Miss Lyon’s behavior was unsettling because it was indiscriminate. Each coy compliment and flirtatious comment hadn’t been intended for David specifically. Any gentleman would do.
David didn’t begrudge a bit of flirtation, for it was quite a diverting pastime, and he wasn’t ignorant of the expectation placed on ladies to secure good husbands. However, there was an edge to Miss Lyons that left him feeling like a fox being run to ground. Hunters weren’t particular about which fox they chased; they only wished for the sport or to catch themselves a prize. Even if Miss Lyons were his Mystery Lady, that evening meant little to her.
Clarity on the subject was welcome, for an answer—even a disheartening one—was better than having none. Neither Miss Hooper nor Miss Lyons was his Mystery Lady.
“I do believe Mother is looking for us,” said David, gently pulling his arm from Miss Lyons, who continued to flirt with Mr. Kellen as though her previous partner hadn’t even spoken, and his heart constricted for the young lady who was so undiscerning in her hunt for a husband.
Flora quickly took hold of him, and David led her away.
“Thank you for rescuing me,” she whispered. “I do not know why he is determined to annoy me, but I swear I gave him no encouragement. I still do not know how he managed to separate me from the others. One moment, I was surrounded by my friends, and the next, Mr. Kellen cornered me.”
“Do not fret, Flora. Men like him amuse themselves by plaguing young ladies who have too much sense to play their games. If we make too much of it, he might redouble his efforts, but if we simply ignore him, he will grow bored.”
David parroted the words Miss Leigh had given him, and again, they offered some solace; action was preferable, but the lady’s advice was too wise to ignore. There was no need to tell Flora that elder brothers had ways of discouraging less savory gentlemen from paying court on their beloved sisters. Thankfully, David didn’t think it would come to that.
“Are you certain?” she asked, and David gave her arm a squeeze.
“Unfortunately, that is the way of gentlemen with too much time and money on their hands.”
Flora nodded and fell silent, allowing David’s thoughts to wander as he led her over to where some of her friends stood. And in that moment of quiet, a new question popped into his mind, shattering his clarity like a hammer to a window.
What if Miss Lyons was his Mystery Lady, and the masquerade had simply been a game to her? David’s limbs grew heavy as he considered that, and though certainty burned in his heart that Miss Lyon’s conversation was nothing at all like the Mystery Lady’s, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was holding onto a false hope.
If that evening had meant anything to her, why hadn’t the Mystery Lady made herself known? True, she couldn’t call on a bachelor without causing a stir, but paying a visit to his mother and sisters was possible. But then, he hadn’t been home when Mother had entertained visitors this past sennight. And there was no guarantee that their social circles overlapped enough for her to do so.
Despite the lawn stretching out before him, David was able to get to the other side and deposit Flora amongst her friends once more before wandering off in search of something else to do. And that was when he spied Mother, watching him with furrowed brows and twisting hands.
No doubt she’d witnessed Mr. Kellen and Flora’s interlude. Not that there was anything to be done about it at present, but telling her so wouldn’t make the slightest difference, which was why David ended up ducking behind another group and slipping out of sight, all whilst praying for forgiveness. Honoring his mother may be a commandment, but managing her fretting required more stamina than he had at present.
For all that today’s efforts hadn’t been physically taxing, David felt as though he was plodding through mud as he edged around another group. Drawing in a deep breath, he tried to soothe his swirling thoughts, but they refused to calm. It was bad enough that he had a mountain of work awaiting him at home, and now his mind was awash with Flora and Mother.
And where was Miss Leigh? The lady had disappeared without a trace whilst he and Miss Hooper had fetched their baskets, and she was still missing.
