“But we did keep check on you from time to time, in case you required us,” Julia added. “We were actually watching the door more and hoping Lord Blacknight would get here in time to see all the beaus crowded around you.”
Brina coughed out a light laugh. “What do you mean? I’m not trying to make him jealous. I have no need for him to see me at a party. Have you forgotten? I need him to be at White’s tonight playing cards and drinking brandy until dawn. Were that the case, I would know this bargain we’ve struck is over, and I could return to the peaceful, normal life I expected to have when I returned to London.”
“Where is he?” Julia asked.
“I have no idea,” Brina answered, not wanting to admit that she had looked at the door more than a time or two, wondering if she might see him. “I haven’t heard from him since our ride in the park. We didn’t talk about which, if any, parties we’d be attending in the coming days.”
After their kiss, Brina hadn’t been able to think about anything, so she’d suggested they pack up the basket, get back on the horses for a ride through the park. Which they’d done. Thankfully, he’d decided to be a gentleman and hadn’t mentioned the kiss when they’d dismounted in front of her house. She had hoped he wouldn’t. Butthere was no way he hadn’t noticed how utterly eager she’d responded to his ardent embrace.
“He has no inkling you are here tonight?”
“I don’t know how he could. I chose this dinner because my parents would never forgive me if I hadn’t shown up at their neighbors’ party.” She looked at Adeline and smiled. “Thank you again for letting me come with you and Lyon. It would be tiresome if I were forced to have a constant companion. It’s much easier to come with you or Julia.”
“One of us will always pick you up and be with you at every party you attend.”
“Thank you,” Brina said gratefully.
“Which,” Julia said, “leads me to ask what you and Lord Blacknight talked about yesterday afternoon?”
Brina didn’t know. All she remembered was the glorious kiss that had made her breathless and warmed her all the way down to her toes. Most troubling of all was the way his touch had made her want much more than kisses and caresses from him.
Those feelings she would keep to herself and not share with her friends.
“Many things” was all Brina answered, as she glanced toward the entrance. How could it be that she was watching for the earl, hoping to see him standing there looking for her among the crowd in the room? A week ago, it would have been inconceivable that she would be watching for him or any man. Oh, why did he have to come into her life? She was settled. Happy. Now, she was—eager.
“Was he a gentleman toward you?” Adeline asked.
“Of course not,” Brina said without thinking. “Far from it.”
Adeline moved closer again and whispered, “What did he do?”
“Did he kiss you?” Julia asked, her eyes growing wide with curiosity.
Brina ignored her probing question and replied, “When he came to my house, he brought horses for us to ride to the park instead of a well-tooled carriage.”
Adeline’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”
Julia grinned with surprise. “You are serious.”
“Of course I am,” she exclaimed softly, and then glanced around to see if anyone was watching them. “I can’t make this up. He did have a proper refreshment basket with him, and I gave him a book of poetry. Blacknight is different. I don’t know what to make of him. He’s unsettled my life, me. It’s no wonder he’s had such problems with his family. I’m sure it’s because they’ve never known what to expect from him.”
“But he intrigues you,” Julia offered as if to finish her thought.
“Yes, he does,” Brina said without any hesitancy. “Immensely so. I’ve admitted that and it distresses me that he does. I simply must stop thinking about him. Or talking about him. So, enough about the earl. I must keep my mind on other things. As I’ve told you, I want to give the girls art lessons once a week and teach them to paint.”
“When did you mention this?” Adeline questioned as her gaze darted over to Julia for confirmation.
Julia’s eyebrows rose and she lifted her hands as if to sayI have no idea what she’s talking about.
“Last week when you came over without your sons and Blacknight was there. Maybe I never actually got around to telling you exactly what I had in mind. The earl seemed to take up most of our conversation, but I did say I wanted to do something more with the girls, and both of you said whatever it was, you’d agree.”
“I vaguely recollect that,” Julia said with a hint of uncertainty in her tone. “But, Brina, it takes time to learnhow to paint. Unless one has a natural talent like you, it can be a very frustrating pursuit.”
“I know,” Brina answered, a bit disappointed Julia wasn’t as excited about the prospect as she was. “I think some of them might be gifted. It will be easy enough to tell as time goes on.”
“You’ll need paints, brushes, aprons, easels for them all. Not to mention that Mrs. Tallon will object strongly to this.”
A server holding a tray of champagne offered them a glass, but all three declined. While shaking her head at the man, Brina noticed one of the young bachelors she’d been talking to was watching her. He smiled when she saw him. She returned the greeting and turned away.
