“Are you ready to go, my dear?” Lord Roberts spoke to his wife, but his eyes were on Algenon.
Blast, he’d forgotten to have the footman summon their carriage. He sidled up to the man and gave his orders before returning to the group.
“The driver will be around soon. Would you like to wait outside?” Algenon asked Lady Roberts. “Perhaps the cool air will clear your head.”
Her gaze flicked to Javenia and the smallest of smiles pulled at her lips. “I think I shall, but Phillipa seems to have left her wrap behind.”
Algenon turned to his sister. Phillipa blinked at Lady Roberts. Her nose scrunched once and Algenon glanced back at his stepmother. She, in turn, tipped her head in the direction of Lord Hamdon.
“Ah yes, my wrap,” Phillipa said in a voice that was far too rehearsed to be real.
Something was afoot.
Phillipa turned to Lord Hamdon. “Would it be too much of a bother, Lord Hamdon, if you could fetch my wrap? I believe it is at one of the card tables.”
Lord Hamdon straightened. “What does it look like?”
“It has—” Phillipa paused. “Actually, perhaps we should go together, since I do not recall which one I brought this evening.”
Algenon narrowed his gaze and pursed his lips. Phillipa rarely forgot her apparel. Was this his stepmother’s way of giving his sister the opportunity to spend some time with the viscount?
“Your father and I shall await you outside,” Lady Roberts said. “Algenon, please make certain she makes it to the carriage safely. Miss Harris, it was nice to see you. I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
Lady Roberts slipped her hand through her husband’s arm, and Algenon stared as they made their way out the door, his father hardly looking askance at him. How had she orchestrated things so smoothly? The woman must be a literal saint.
Not only had she placed Phillipa in the path of one of the most eligible men in London, but she’d also given him the moment of time alone with Javenia that he’d craved since the dinner at the Duke of Bedford’s.
So many questions crowded his thoughts that he didn’t know which to ask first. Then his eyes caught on the young footman who had brought their coats. He stood on one side of the door while a man of equal stature in the same livery stood at the other.
So much for being alone. One wrong move and the servants of London would spread the gossip like slop in a pigpen. He cringed.
“Are you in pain?”
Javenia’s words pulled him from his thoughts. “Not at all, only wishing John would extend that dinner invitation.”
She clasped her hands behind her back and stepped close enough for him to smell the scent that always clung to her clothes. He’d once asked why she smelled like a field of flowers and she’d admitted to putting little sachets of dried petals among her things. He loved the way the hint of floral mixed with a scent that was uniquely Javenia. Warm and woodsy, like she’dstepped in from the outdoors, the sunshine still clinging to her hair.
“You know,” she said in a low voice. “We could always arrive on the same morning for a call, or to share breakfast, the same as we used to do at Kendall House.”
A slow smile lifted his lips along with his heart.
“Tomorrow then?”
She shook her head. “At least give the poor couple a day to prepare for us to descend on them.”
“What if I do not want to give them time?” He couldn’t help the deep rasp in his tone. It was driven by desperation, and if he were honest with himself, fear.
At any moment, the rug could be swept out from under his feet and he could lose Javenia. She could fall prey to Lord Hamdon’s charms. Although her reaction to his own hand on her knee had not been one of disinterest, he would not blame her if she chose a path less littered with thorns.
But what of the card she’d played? Even though he knew it could have been a stroke of luck or a trick of fate, he wanted to believe that Javenia had held onto that card on purpose in order to play it at just the right time. It was ridiculous, but his hungry heart had to believe it.
She stared up into his eyes, energy snapping between them like lightning between earth and sky. Her chest noticeably rose and fell in a deep, even pattern. “Algenon, I—”
“Please forgive me, Lord Hamdon.” Phillipa’s voice broke the spell and Algenon bit back a curse. He wanted to hear what Javenia had to say, what she might do.
Phillipa continued. “It must have slipped my mind that I decided not to bring my wrap at the last minute. I don’t believe Lady Roberts witnessed me take it off.”
The click of boots grew closer. “Please, do not trouble yourself. I enjoyed our little conversation.”
