Violet said nothing to this, but she drew in a deep breath, and then let it out again in a sigh of relief.
“My cousin, then!” Lady Honora beamed at them, her dark eyes triumphant. “You’ll become Lady Wrexley!”
All three ladies turned at once to look out the window. Lord Wrexley was escorting them to Hadley House, but he’d opted to take his horse rather than ride in the carriage, and Iris had quite forgotten about him. They were friends, and he wasn’t grand or stiff like Lord Huntington. His relaxed manners and effortless charm put her at ease, but she’d never before considered him as a potential suitor.
Now, as she watched him from the carriage window, she wondered why. He was certainly handsome, and he handled his mount with an easy grace she couldn’t fail to appreciate.
He caught her eye, and gave her a wide smile as he touched his riding crop to his hat.
Iris smiled back, then settled against the squabs. Her trust in her own judgment had suffered a severe blow after she’d so misjudged Lord Huntington’s character, but she knew Lord Wrexley quite well, since he was always about when she visited with Lady Honora.
Of course, despite their familiarity, there was a chance he hid a dubious character under his gentlemanly exterior, just as Lord Huntington and Lord Harley did. He could well have his own secrets—a mad wife hidden in the attics at his country estate, perhaps—but he seemed to be exactly what he appeared to be, that is, a carefree young earl with open, easy manners and a handsome face.
“Lord Wrexley.” Violet tapped her finger against her lips, considering. “He is an agreeable sort of gentleman, isn’t he?”
“Oh, yes, he truly is. He’d make any young lady an enviable husband.” Lady Honora squeezed Iris’s arm, her smile giddy.
Iris hesitated, glancing at Violet. “Well, I’ve got to do something. I’ve behaved rashly, dismissing Lord Huntington with so little thought. It will hurt Grandmother, and there’s the issue of yours and Hyacinth’s prospects—”
“I would never want you to marry a gentleman who would make you unhappy because you’re worried about my prospects, Iris, and neither would Hyacinth.”
“I know you wouldn’t, Violet, but—”
“I don’t deny it would solve a great many problems if Lord Wrexley were courting you by the end of Charlotte’s house party—not just to console Grandmother, but because it will help to silence the gossips’ wagging tongues. But you have to have some affection for him, and he must feel the same for you, or else you may just as well have married Lord Huntington.”
If she did encourage Lord Wrexley, and he wasn’t what he appeared to be…
Thetonwouldn’t overlook two jilted lords. No, if she encouraged him, she’d have to see it through to the end, or else she’d be well and truly ruined, and her sisters right along with her.
But surely Lord Wrexley was safe enough? Honora would never adore him as she did if he were a villain, and Iris herself had never seen any reason to doubt his character. “Well, I’ve always been fond of him.”
“Oh, it’s perfect!” Lady Honora clapped her hands together with delight. “He’s so natural and easy, particularly for a gentleman of fashion. I’m sure you’ll adore him, Iris, just as I do.”
Violet was a bit more circumspect. “Shall we see how you feel when we arrive?”
The knots in Iris’s stomach were twisting tighter and tighter, but she pasted a smile on her face for her sister’s sake, and nodded. “Yes. I think that’s a good idea.”
But she’d already made up her mind, because she no longer had the luxury of consulting her feelings. If Lord Wrexley showed the slightest interest in her, she would encourage him. If all went well, she could be betrothed to him by the end of the house party.
They didn’t speak much after that. Lady Honora lapsed into a happy silence, Violet ceased her scolding, and Iris stared out the window, watched Hampshire roll by, and tried not to think of either Lord Wrexley or Lord Huntington.
Several hours later, when the roof of Hadley House peeked through the tops of the trees at last, Iris straightened in her seat. “We’re nearly there.”
Violet leaned to look out the window. “Charlotte says it’s an odd house. Very large, with a maze of hallways leading in every direction.”
Iris smiled. “Captain West wasn’t as kind as that. He told me once Hadley House makes the London rookeries look organized.”
“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. Now, don’t look so grim, Iris. You adore Charlotte, and Lady Tallant will be here, as well. You’ve always longed to make her acquaintance.” A sly grin drifted over Violet’s lips. “I doubt our grandmother knowsshewas invited.”
“Lady Tallant? Oh, dear.” Honora bit her lip. No doubt she was imagining what her own mother, Lady Fairchild, would say if she knew her daughter was attending a house party with one of London’s infamous wicked widows.
Of course, Charlotte herself had been a wicked widow, but she also happened to be the Marchioness of Hadley, so thetonwas inclined to forgive her colorful past, particularly now that she was married to Captain Julian West, a celebrated Waterloo hero.
Lady Annabel Tallant, however, remained as wicked as ever. She was a dear friend of Charlotte’s, and thetonthought hersowicked, Lady Chase had forbidden her granddaughters the acquaintance, even after Iris begged for an introduction. She’d always been rather taken with Lady Tallant, despite her wickedness.
Or perhaps because of it.
“It’s bound to be a lively party, with—” Violet’s voice was swallowed by her sudden gasp, and she reached out to grip Iris’s arm.
