As Forrester continued to speak, however, Ewan couldn’t seem to banish the matter from his mind. The young woman clearly was overly confident, or she wouldn’t have arrived on his doorstep unannounced after he’d been clear in his letters that he had no intention of selling the Arabian.
“And so, you see, my lord, I think we have as good a chance as any with the treatment,” Forrester was saying when Ewan began to listen again.
“Good, good,” Ewan replied absently, while the picture of what Lady Theodora Ballard must look like played through his imagination. She was a spinster so no doubt she was homely, or perhaps it was a strident personality that had prevented her from finding a match. He vaguely remembered seeing her at her father’s estate years ago, but she’d merely been a girl then. He had hardly any memory of the chit.
Mr. Forrester continued to speak as Ewan shifted in his chair.Blast. Why couldn’t he stop thinking about the audacity of the young woman who was even now being ejected from his drawing room?
As if his body was acting separately from his mind, Ewan stood. “Excuse me, for a moment, Forrester. I’ll return shortly.”
Ewan took ground-devouring strides toward the drawing room. He told himself the entire time that if she were already gone, he wouldnotgo out to the drive to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. After all, he had no intention of rewarding her rude behavior by taking her call. No. He just wanted to … see her. For some reason, he felt an overwhelming desire to put a face with her name. He told himself it was in order to know if he ever encountered her in the future, whether it was in town at the market or even back in London. He needed to know who he’d refused and turned away in case they were ever to meet face-to-face again.
As he approached the door of the drawing room, Ewan let out a pent-up breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding as he heard Humbolt speaking in a loud, clear voice. “Be that as it may, my lady, Viscount Clayton was quite clear that he is unable to take your call.”
“Did you tell him how far I’ve traveled?” a distinctly piqued female voice replied sharply.
Ewan lifted his brows. Just as Humbolt had said, this young woman clearly wasn’t leaving without some resistance. Normally, such audacity would have earned her a swift visit from him and some harsh words as he escorted her to the door, but now it only served to make him more curious to see her face.
“I told the viscount your name, my lady. I’ve no idea if he’s aware of your address,” Humbolt was saying.
Ewan strode up to the door and, remaining at least two steps away, peered inside the crack that Humbolt had left.
She stood in front of the settee. She wore a matching pelisse over a gown of light green. Long white gloves, small leather traveling boots, and a bonnet of the latest fashion with a wide green ribbon tied beneath her chin. She was slender and tall, and her hair was dark and swept beneath the hat. Her profile revealed a pretty enough face, but it wasn’t until she turned toward the door, with narrowed eyes, that he saw the glint of steel in the gray of her eyes. She was absolutely stunning. There was no other way to describe her. Stunning, and angry, with one of the most determinedly set jaws he’d ever seen on a female. No wonder Humbolt had been worried she wouldn’t leave quietly. There was clearly nothing quiet about this woman.
Those steel-gray eyes flashed with fire as if a blacksmith had struck an anvil and made a spark deep within them. Ewan eyed her carefully. She might be gorgeous, but he had no intention of selling the horse to her or anyone.
“Well, I’m sorry to say that’s not good enough for me, Mr. Humbolt,” came the young lady’s overly confident, self-assured voice. “I have no intention of leaving until I’ve spoken to the viscount.”
Humbolt’s voice replied firm and calm. “I’m sorry, my lady, but that is quite impossible—”
“I’ll wait,” the lady replied sharply and plopped back down upon the settee, settling her gloved hands into her lap.
That was it. This could not stand. Ewan kicked open the door with the toe of his boot and stepped inside.
“Not entirely impossible, Humbolt. Here I am, and I have a few things I’d like to say to ourguest.”
CHAPTER FIVE
When Ewan stepped into the room, his gaze locked with Lady Theodora’s. Anger flashed in her eyes, but there was something else there, too.Triumph. Given his presence she no doubt believed she’d won.
“My lord,” Humbolt said as he bowed and took his leave. Ewan knew the man would not go far in the event Ewan required his assistance.
Lady Theodora gave the butler a tight (but still triumphant) smile on his way out.
Ewan set his jaw, but remembered his manners. “My lady.” His tone was hardly pleasant, but he managed a gentlemanly bow. “It’s been many years. A pleasure to see you again.”
They both knew the ‘pleasure’ bit was a lie, but manners were manners.
She lifted her chin. “Unfortunately, I don’t recall our first meeting, my lord. Thank you for thehonorof your time.” Sarcasm dripped from her lips.
“As I’m certain Mr. Humbolt informed you, I’m otherwise occupied with a guest in another room. What can I do to help you, my lady?” His smile was tight and fake.
She looked momentarily flustered as if she hadn’t expected to get this far and therefore wasn’t entirely prepared for what she intended to say next. But her dismay was quickly replaced with a gleam in her eyes, a gleam that made Ewan immediately wary.
She folded her hands together in front of her. Her matching green reticule, which he’d previously missed, swung from her wrist. She wasted no time getting precisely to her point. “I would like to purchase Harlowe’s Arabian from you.”
He pressed his lips together tightly before replying. “I am aware. The answer is no.”
Frustration and a hint of anger flittered across her pretty face. “May we not discuss it?” He could tell she was doing her best to sound friendly. He could almost laugh at her poor attempt. He would laugh, in fact, if he wasn’t so angry that she was wasting his time.
