“Are you sure?” Rose was definitely frowning based on the tone of her voice. “You don’t sound like your usual cheery self.”
“I had a bad dream. That’s all. Nothing a hearty breakfast and a cup of hot tea can’t fix.”
“Not to mention the attentions of our handsome host. Don’t think I didn’t notice you were the only lady with whom he took a turn of the parlor last night.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Angelica whispered.
Rose tilted her head and gave her adon’t-be-sillylook. “It means he singled you out.”
“Perhaps,” Angelica allowed. But she was fairly certain she’d bungled whatever chance she’d had of him choosing her. First, by offending him and second, by enraging him to the point where he’d appeared ready to do serious violence. “But what if I don’t want him?”
Her mother blanched. “Don’t even jest about such a thing. We need this match, Angelica.Youneed it.” Rose’s lips quivered ever so slightly at the corners. “I didn’t want to worry you but my funds are limited. Bloomfield has not been as generous as I’d have hoped, and as a result, I may lose the house.”
Angelica’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“The many expenses left me no choice but to borrow against it.”
“You never said a word.” The modest townhouse with its prestigious address on Berkley Square had been purchased by Angelica’s father when her oldest sister, Stephanie, was born. The purpose had been to create a cozier family home than the grand Bloomfield House manor on the edge of Hyde Park would allow. In his will, Angelica’s father had bequeathed the property to his wife. It was Angelica’s childhood home – the house in which she’d always lived – and the thought of losing it because her father’s cousin was being tight fisted made her feel ill.
“Come. Let us sit down before we attract too much attention.”
Angelica couldn’t move. Her mother had just dropped a cannonball on her head, yet she wanted to sit down and eat as if all was normal? “We need to discuss this, Mama. Surely my sisters can help?”
“They already have.”
And she refused to ask them for further assistance? “But even if I marry well, there’s no guarantee my husband will—”
“No,” Rose said. She looked somewhat piqued. “I would never expect him to, nor would I want to be anyone’s burden. What I am saying is that I may have to relocate to something significantly smaller.”
Understanding dawned. Her mother feared her financial straits would force her to move to a place where there wouldn’t be room for her unmarried daughter. Angelica instinctively glanced toward Lord Sterling, who made no effort to hide the fact that he was watching her with keen interest. Her heart quickened a little and she tightened her grip on her plate. How could she possibly marry a man who was capable of such forceful anger?
“Come,” her mother insisted once more, and this time she walked away, returning to the table without waiting for Angelica to follow.
Angelica dropped her gaze to her plate. All she wanted was to toss it against the wall in despair, but that would be wasteful, not to mention ill-bred, and she actually was quite hungry. So she clenched her jaw and went to sit beside Miss Chesterfield since all the other seats were already taken. It was just as well. Lucy would only want to talk and right now that was the last thing Angelica felt like doing.
Instead, she ate while pondering what her mother had told her.
* * *
Having finished his food a while ago, Randolph enjoyed his morning coffee. He tried to engage the women seated closest to him in conversation, though not without keeping a constant eye on Lady Angelica. Her face had been drawn when she’d entered the room. Now, after speaking with her mother, concern strained her features. And she was making a very deliberate effort to keep from looking at him. Really, he had to apologize for his behavior last night. After all, his intention was to woo her, not frighten her away.
“Perhaps you would like to know the schedule for the coming week?” He wasn’t foolish enough to invite six young ladies to his home with no plan to entertain them. All directed their gazes at him, chaperones included. Except Lady Angelica, whose attention remained fixed on the contents of her teacup. “Today I’ll be spending a private hour with each of you so we can improve our acquaintance.”
In a way he dreaded it, for he knew at least two of the candidates would have little to say. At least not enough to fill a whole hour. He also wasn’t sure there was much point to the effort when only Lady Angelica held his interest. Still, they’d all come a long way for his consideration and deserved to be given a chance.
“The rain has ceased and if the weather stays dry we shall go for a walk tomorrow. If it’s not too cold, we can even enjoy a picnic. Then on Wednesday, we shall go to the village. There’s a lovely little teashop and a haberdashery where you may find ribbons and lace to your hearts’ content. Friday is set aside for games, including a treasure hunt Mrs. Essex has promised she’ll arrange.” This was met with particular murmurs of excitement and even a quick glance from Lady Angelica. Randolph smiled. “On Saturday, I shall host a ball – the neighboring gentry have already been invited. And on Sunday I shall ask one of you to stay on an extra week, at the end of which I will propose.”
There were several pink cheeks after this declaration and even a few low chuckles and self-conscious smiles. Randolph’s only interest was in Lady Angelica’s response. She neither smiled nor blushed but rather bit her lip and frowned harder. And then she looked at him, her gaze locking with his in a hard stare comprised of sheer determination.
His chest tightened and his heart – that part of him that scarcely knew how to function any more – slumped. It was the only way he could think of describing the overwhelming disappointed that filled him. Because he wanted…he wanted…
Oh, hell.
He wanted her to truly want him, not just because of his title or because she needed to marry, but because thinking of him as her husband felt right – because she was drawn to him. God, they scarcely knew each other, had only just met the previous day. It was absurd of him to have such a yearning, yet it couldn’t be helped. He wanted more from Lady Angelica than from the rest.
Idiot.
Tightening his jaw, he addressed Lady Seraphina. “Would you be kind enough to meet me in the green parlor in half an hour?”
