He thought he heard a petulantdo we have tobut ignored it. If he had to endure Miss Weston’s insincere goodbyes, the least Nate could do was prop a fellow up. What were friends for, after all?
When they reached the house, they dismounted and handed their horses off to a groom. Lord Falcross and Miss Weston stood to the side of the carriage speaking to Lady Roberts while his father hung back. His gaze narrowed at Algenon as he approached.
He was here, wasn’t he? Why did his father have to disapprove of everything he did?
“Sir Nathaniel,” Miss Weston purred when they reached them. “How kind of you to come see us off.” She smiled softly at him, dipping her head slightly and batting her lashes.
Bile rose in Algenon’s throat as his friend cast him a subtle look that clearly said, ‘I told you so.’ It was not a good omen if the woman was already flirting with his friend… his married friend, no less.
He swallowed down the sour taste in his mouth, but it only made his stomach churn. If she ruined his friends’ marriages by casting doubt in their wives’ minds, they would never forgive him. Who was he kidding? He’d never forgive himself.
The only way such an arrangement might work was if he distanced himself from everyone he held dear. The hopelessness of such a plan made his heart sink to his toes.
He’d never survive.
His eyes darted to his father when Miss Weston took her time looking Nate up and down. Surely his father’s astute nature would not allow him to connect his family with someone who would besmirch his precious title. Unfortunately, Lord Roberts was bidding Lord Falcross farewell and not paying Miss Weston the least bit of attention.
Blast the man.
Algenon stepped forward to put a stop to Nate’s embarrassment. “Miss Weston.”
Her gaze snapped to him as if she’d just noticed he was also in attendance. It was certainly lowering. Was he so below her notice that a married man was more interesting? Or was it the challenge?
“Mr. Roberts.” She reached out her hand and he clasped the ends of her fingers.
“Your visit was diverting.” Usually he’d offer an invitation to come again, but he could not bring the words to his lips, so instead he said, “I do hope your journey is… uneventful.” Andthat her carriage would be set on by highwaymen who carried her off to live the heathen life she obviously desired. He clenched his teeth and bowed over her fingers.
When he straightened, she was frowning. She probably expected him to kiss her hand, but he’d not touch her any more than was absolutely necessary.
The chatter of female voices rose from the direction of the garden behind him. He recognized his sisters’ distinct tones, but when other familiar voices answered them, his mind went blank and his body hummed with excitement.
He glanced over his shoulder to confirm what he already knew. His gaze locked with Javenia’s for only a moment, when a pair of hands settled on his shoulders. Surprised, he turned his face forward, his cheek connecting with a pair of warm lips.
Chapter 8
Javenia wanted to gouge Miss Weston’s eyes out or maybe pluck every expertly curled blonde hair from her spiteful head. She wouldn’t, but she wanted to.
Miss Weston cast her a triumphant smirk over Algenon’s shoulder before lowering back down and allowing the footman to help her into the carriage. Lord Falcross followed close behind, blocking Javenia from seeing Miss Weston, but also blocking Miss Weston from seeing Algenon scrub the side of his cheek with his gloved hand. It was the height of rudeness, but it brought a smile to Javenia’s lips.
Miss Weston may have forced another kiss on him, but Algenon definitely had not desired it. Somehow, that reframed the whole interaction. If Javenia truly wanted to win Algenon over, she could not let Miss Weston ruffle her.
The woman was an underhanded snake, but Javenia knew something she didn’t. Algenon had never allowed anyone to speak unkindly of her since they were children. Yes, he picked at her himself, but he had limits. With the rumors Javenia hadrecently heard circulating around Maidstone, it seemed Miss Weston was hard at work trying to besmirch her name. None of it was too damaging. Only criticism about her looks, or the way she carried herself, but it was clear she intended to wage social warfare.
One day, Miss Weston would dig her own grave with her unwanted attention and acidic tongue.
The coach pulled away and Algenon spun to face Javenia at the same time Lord Roberts caught sight of their little group. After His Lordship’s threat, she’d not intended to accompany her sisters to Blackthorn, but her mother had insisted she chaperone the younger girls when Lord Falcross was in residence. Everyone knew the viscount was not to be trusted around a pretty face. With the retreating carriage, Javenia no longer had a good reason to be at Blackthorn.
She stopped, not wanting to follow the group of young women any closer.
“Vee?” Nessa said when she noticed she’d halted. “Are you coming?”
“No, I’ve escorted you here as Mother wished. I should get back to the house to… a… to—”
Lady Roberts turned and smiled, the cheerful expression exposing her slightly crooked teeth. Javenia returned the gesture.
“Miss Harris, how lovely to see you.”
Lady Roberts’s greeting disarmed Lord Roberts’s dark look of warning. His Lordship had never denied his wife anything that might bring her happiness, something she’d struggled to regain after the birth of their twin daughters.
