“Here, you say? Really? I wonder why he would do that.”
The fire heated her cheeks and she took a step back. “He said he wanted to check on Farley.”
Paxton’s eyebrows rose and he brushed his hair away from his forehead again. “He knows about the lad?”
“Yes,” she said slowly, wanting to choose her words carefully. “The duke was here when Farley came to the door.”
“You didn’t bother the duke with the story of a lost boy, did you?”
“No, I wouldn’t have, but—” Loretta sucked in a long breath and let it out quickly. “I was with the duke when Mrs. Huddleston came and told me about Farley, and the duke was, of course, interested and wanted to help, as we all did. It’s still a mystery how Farley managed to get so far from the village. Anyway, the duke insisted he’d be back to check on Farley and to see you.”
Paxton looked confused, and Loretta didn’t blame him. In trying to keep her brother from knowing the duke had dined with her and stayed the night, she’d made a muddle of that explanation. Still, she didn’t want to enlighten him with any more details than was necessary. As her brother, Paxton probably deserved to know the whole story. Most of it anyway, but in some things the less said the better, and this was one of them.
“I can’t believe I missed all this. I mean it’s quite shocking when I think about it. A duke and a lost boy maketheir way to Mammoth House on the same day at the same time.”
“It was shocking for me, too.” She admitted to herself that it was also gratifying to have someone and something to think about other than how she was going to fill another day. “But all that aside, the duke asked that you remain here until he returns and that neither of us breathe a word about his proposal to anyone. I assured him we wouldn’t.”
“I agree. We won’t concern the earl or anyone else with this until I’ve had a chance to speak to the duke. Did he say when he’d return?”
“It should be the latter part of this week.”
Paxton downed the rest of his drink. “I must confess I’m quite flattered by his consideration and a little pleased, too, that he chose me.” Paxton eyed her carefully and suddenly asked, “Is he considering others?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I don’t think so,” she said honestly. “He seemed quite adamant about you being the one he wanted.” A niggle of worry settled between her shoulder blades. “You wouldn’t really consider it, would you?”
“Of course I’ll consider it.” Joy returned to Paxton’s features. “But no, I won’t agree to anything. I have not forgotten how wretched the arranged marriage turned out for you.”
“Good,” Loretta said, but Paxton was so unconcerned about this whole idea she wasn’t sure she believed him. Without thinking she quickly added, “Besides, the duke’s sister is probably selfish, terribly spoiled and—and…”
“And what?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest and giving her a devilish grin. “Go on,” he prompted again. “If you’re going to say it to anyone it probably should be to me.”
“All right,” she huffed. “Unattractive in some way.”
“She probably is,” he answered.
“See, even you think that.”
His smile widened and his eyes narrowed just a little. “But what if she isn’t?”
“Then she would be choosing her own husband and not allowing her arrogant brother to do it for her.”
Loretta thought about her argument as Paxton just stood there smiling, nodding, not the least disturbed or alarmed by her words. He knew her argument about Lady Adele’s appearance wasn’t very solid. The duke was exceedingly handsome, so there was a good chance that his sister was beautiful, too.
That thought aggravated her all the more.
“Forget about that for now, please,” Loretta said. “I’m feeling quite ill at myself for being so unkind about a person I don’t even know. But I stand by my conviction that marriage should be about you finding someone to love. Someone your heart yearns for and you can’t live without. You came in the door not ten minutes ago talking about how lovely Miss Pritchard was and how you want to see her again.” Loretta’s heart softened. “Paxton, I want you to marry someone you adore. Someone who makes your heart sing like a verse of beautifully written poetry. Not someone who can give you prestige, wealth, and freedom from our uncle.”
“Then I shall be like a flower petal on the wind and simply float about until the duke returns and talks with me about this engagement.” Paxton smiled, laughed, and then reached down and kissed her on the cheek for the third time. “You are such a worry berry.”
“And you don’t worry about anything,” she countered, knowing she couldn’t be upset with Paxton. There was no fault in either of them. Just the hands that fate had dealt them. She was serious about everything, and he wasn’t serious about anything.
“For now,” Paxton said, “the offer has not been madeto me. I must respect the duke and listen to what he has to say.” He extended his glass to her. “Now, be a good sister to your only brother and pour me another brandy. I have a lot to think about.”
So did Loretta.
My Dearest Readers:
It is with great anticipation that we await the first ball and the first dance of the Season to begin. Not only will we have the Duke of Hawksthorn’s sister, Lady Adele, making her debut, but I have it on good authority that the Duke of Griffin’s sister, Lady Vera, will return for her second Season to continue her foray into the marriage mart. But handsomely garbed gentlemen and fashionably gowned ladies twirling on the dance floor will not be the only thing swirling this year. Rumors still abound that mischief is in the air. And said mischief could be directed against Lady Adele and Lady Vera because of their brothers’ past misdeeds as the Rakes of St. James.
