“Violet? What is it?” Dread slithered up Iris’s spine.
“For goodness’s sake, Violet, are you ill?” Lady Honora went pale. “You’re frightening me!”
Violet didn’t answer, only pointed out the widow, toward the front of the house, where a small knot of people were gathered to welcome them. Charlotte, of course, and her husband, Captain West. Lady Tallant—oh, so elegant! And Lord Derrick, so handsome in his dark blue coat, and next to him—
Iris groped for Violet with one hand, and for Lady Honora with the other, her heart leaping into her throat.
Next to him, his mouth pulled into a stern line, his hazel eyes fixed on their carriage as it rolled up the drive, was Lord Huntington.
Chapter Seven
Finn didn’t care much for fair-haired ladies. Porcelain skin, rosebud lips, and tall, slender figures didn’t make his breath short, and he wasn’t likely to get lost in a pair of blue eyes—no matter how deep a blue, or how heavily-lashed they might be.
Miss Somerset wasn’t at all to his taste.
He could see why other gentlemen admired her, of course. Those heavy, silky curls made a man imagine what it might be like to pull loose every pin, tangle his fingers in it, and tilt her head back so he could press his mouth against that long neck and nibble a path down to the delicious curve of her shoulder. She’d be soft there, fragrant, and her pale skin would flush so prettily, warming his lips—
“Close your mouth, Huntington. You’re distressing Miss Somerset.”
Finn dragged his gaze away from her to scowl at Lord Derrick. “What the devil do you mean, Derrick? I wasn’t—”
“Looking at her the way a wolf looks at a lamb, right before he devours it? Certainly you were. Every time she so much as twitches, your legs tense, as if you’re preparing to leap over the settee and take a bite out of her. Why do you think she looks so agitated?”
Lord Derrick raised his teacup to his lips to hide a faint smirk, but Finn saw it, and his teeth snapped together. “Nonsense. I’m not looking at her at all. I was looking at Lady Honora.”
At least heshouldbe looking at Lady Honora, because with her glossy dark hair and wide brown eyes,shewas the one who possessed the kind of gentle beauty he’d always admired. Miss Somerset’s slender figure—no matter how graceful—was nothing next to Lady Honora’s lush curves, and then there was Miss Somerset’s coloring, which was all wrong. Her delicate, blush-pink lips couldn’t compete with Lady Honora’s red ones, even if they did look like a swollen rosebud, the lower lip a tempting curve, equal parts wickedness and vulnerability—
“Then I beg your pardon, Huntington. I’ve just never known Lady Honora to inspire such a predatory gleam in your eye.”
“You’ve never known Miss Somerset to inspire it, either.” Finn scowled down at his teacup. Anyone could see she wasn’t at all to his taste—anyone but Derrick, that is, who seemed determined to believe Finn was gaping at her because he couldn’t stop thinking about tasting the curve of her neck—
“No, but then she’s never jilted you before. I think this sudden preference for the classic English rose is a direct result of her rejection. We all want what we can’t have, eh, Huntington? Such an unexpected rebellion on her part, too. I think the lady has earned your admiration at last. Damned inconvenient timing, isn’t it?”
“This whole business is inconvenient, and the timing is the least of it.” The secrets, the potential for scandal, the lady herself—it would become a bloody mess before it was resolved, and Finn detested messes.
Lord Derrick chuckled. “That’s not a gallant sentiment for a gentleman about to embark on a courtship.” Lord Derrick smirked again, and this time he didn’t even have the decency to hide it behind his teacup.
“Damn it, Derrick, this isn’t some romantic courtship, it’s—”
“…and I couldn’t be happier to see you all.” Lady Hadley beamed at her guests as she passed Lady Honora a plate of refreshments. “It’s such a long journey from London, but I daresay you found a pleasant way to pass the time.”
“Very pleasant, indeed, my lady. Beautiful ride.” Lord Wrexley’s dark gaze slid from Lady Hadley to Miss Somerset, and a slow smile curled his lips. “I can’t recall ever being so captivated by the scenery before.”
Finn slammed his plate down on a side table with a rude clatter. “Beautiful, yes, but I doubt you’ll have an opportunity to see as much of it as you wish to, Wrexley.”
Lord Wrexley didn’t spare him a glance, but kept his gaze on Miss Somerset. “You’re kind to be concerned, Huntington, but I assure you I intend to make the most of my visit. You see, I’ve made it a point to see as much as I possibly can in the fortnight I’m here.”
“Ambitious of you, but you can’t hope to accomplish much in such a short time. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed with your progress.”
Lord Wrexley dismissed this concern with an idle flick of his fingers. “Oh, not to worry, Huntington. A fortnight is more than long enough for my purposes.”
“We’ll see. Tell me, Miss Somerset. Did you find the journey as diverting as Lord Wrexley?” Finn pinned her with a hard look meant to communicate his intentions.
I’m here for you.
Her blue eyes widened with alarm. “I, ah—it was a pleasant trip, my lord, but I find myself rather fatigued. Perhaps a rest before dinner would help.”
Lady Tallant, who’d been watching this exchange with sharp interest, now let out a sigh and rose to her feet. “Come along then, Miss Somerset. I’m going up myself, so I’ll take you. Otherwise you’ll be wandering about for hours, and never encounter another living soul. It’s like an Egyptian tomb up there, with dozens of dim passageways all leading precisely nowhere.”
