He flashed her a grin. “You sound as if you’re already getting excited about this idea of a dinner party.”
“Somewhat, I am. It would be refreshing to plan a party. I haven’t had reason to in a very long time. Living with my parents in their home gave me very little to do. My mother is talented, efficient, and neither needs nor wants help. Besides, I promised to facilitate your transition into the world of London Society and the peerage, and help ease your family’s concerns. I’ll start planning it for you. With your permission, of course. Perhaps your sister will agree to act as your hostess.”
“I’d rather you do it.”
Brina frowned.
“No, wait,” he quickly said. “Don’t say anything. I already know. It wouldn’t be the proper thing to do.”
They laughed as he guided the horses back onto the trail that led to the main road.
Chapter 15
“He could have killed you!” were the first words out of Harper’s mouth when Brina walked into the drawing room.
How did he find out and then get to her house so quickly? Brina had hardly been home half an hour. In fact, she was quite sure the blush from all Zane’s kisses and caresses in the carriage hadn’t yet left her cheeks.
Remaining calm, she said, “If you are talking about the carriage ride, I suppose you’ve never driven a curricle fast through Town.”
“Of course I have,” he insisted tightly. “But never when a lady was with me. From what I’m hearing, the earl was exceedingly reckless and showed no regard for you or your safety.”
Her cousin’s statement was pointed and damning. It wasn’t easy to rile Harper. His nature was happy and easygoing. What happened had obviously perturbed him greatly.
“Oh, heavens, Harper,” she said dismissively. “You are making way too much of this. The earl is six or seven years older than you and has had more practice. Who knows? By the time you are his age, perhaps you will have been reckless with a young lady as well.”
“No,” he answered firmly. “There are some things a gentleman doesn’t do. But, lest I forget, the earl is no gentleman.” He walked closer to her, his face contorted in anger. “I want you to stay away from him. In fact, I think I should pay a call to him and insist upon it. Your father would do it if he were here. I intend to do it for him.”
Brina felt her hackles rise. “Now, wait a minute, Harper. I don’t know what you heard but I don’t want you speaking for me to Blacknight or anyone else. And, not that it’s any of your business, but I will tell you, I am the one who encouraged the earl to go fast. He was quite reluctant to do so.”
“You want to make excuses for him because you don’t want me to do my family duty and protect you.”
“I make excuses for no one, including you,” she said, lifting onto her toes so she could look him eye to eye.
“I let it slide when he made the wager about marrying you. Men have a right to place their bets and wagers as they see fit, and what he did at White’s will cause you no real harm. This was different.”
She looked aghast at him. “Really?” How could he say that? Unless Zane started drinking, gambling, or carousing, she could very well end up married to him. And for the first time, she realized that idea thrilled her as well as terrified her. “If you really wanted to help me, you could be encouraging the earl to gamble.”
Harper’s eyes narrowed to serious-looking slits. “I don’t think you are comprehending that he could havecrashed the carriage and harmed or killed you. What I should do is call him out as a matter of honor.”
“Stop talking such madness or I’ll ask you to leave,” Brina insisted hotly and turned away from him before sharply whirling back to face him again. “I won’t hear such foolishness. What is wrong with you? Who is putting such nonsense in your head?”
He eyed her curiously. “No one. Why would you suggest that?”
“Because it’s so unlike you to be this upset over anything. Besides, I need no one to defend me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Not with him, you aren’t. You are fragile.”
That brought Brina up short and she took in a long, deep breath. It wasn’t easy hearing that. “Yes, I was for a time. Everyone in the family knows that. But I am fine now. Strong and confident. Living on my own and as you can see, happy and doing quite well.”
“I want you to stay that way. Robert was with Blacknight in Paris and Vienna. I’ve heard stories about him. About the two of them that I’m not at liberty to talk about.”
Brina felt a shiver shake her. She had experienced one of the earl’s and Robert’s stories. And it was as exciting as the ride they’d had today. She didn’t need Harper to tell her anything about Zane. She knew firsthand exactly who he was.
“I agree,” she said, knowing she was defending him and realizing she wanted to. “You shouldn’t. He is a bachelor. What he has or hasn’t done is of no concern of mine. Or yours, for that matter.”
“I want him to leave you alone.”
No.
