Finn’s back teeth snapped together. “I just told you.”
“No, I don’t think so. You know as well as I do Miss Somerset can’t have gone far. She’ll turn up, and in any case, I would have thought it would take much more than one misplaced young lady to shake the Marquess of Huntington’s icy composure.” Derrick gave him an innocent look. “Unless, of course, you’ve grown fonder of her than you’re willing to admit. Have you?”
Fond of her? Finn didn’t know whether to marry her or turn her over his knee. Did that mean he wasfondof her?
Derrick arched an eyebrow at him, waiting.
“I don’t care for fair-haired ladies,” Finn muttered at last.
“Yes, I believe you’ve said so before.”
“Or dark blue eyes, even if they are the toast of London.”
Derrick shrugged. “A lot of fuss over nothing, if you ask me.”
“She’s a menace, as well. Did I tell you she tried to ride a half-wild horse this morning? She would have marched him right out the stable doors and jumped onto his back if I hadn’t stopped her.”
“Shocking behavior.”
“I’m the injured party here, Derrick.Shejiltedme.”
“Twice, even.”
“She said we didn’t suit, and now I know her better, I couldn’t agree more. I don’t want a wife who chases after every whim as it happens to strike her, without a care as to who she might trample under her feet as she goes.”
“Troublesome thing in a wife, I daresay.”
“Lady Honora was my first choice, you know, and I’m free to court her now if I wish. I should be thanking Miss Somerset for jilting me.”
“You really should. Why don’t you do that, once we find her?”
“Steady, peaceful, and predictable—that’s Lady Honora. She’s just the kind of lady I’ve always imagined would become my marchioness.Shewouldn’t insist on riding a wild horse, or be so rude as to leave the drawing room without playing the pianoforte, and she wouldnevervanish into the night with a rake like Wrexley.”
“She’d never dream of it.”
“If Miss Somerset chooses to throw herself away on a scoundrel, what business is it of mine?”
“Why, none at all.”
“She’s caused me enough trouble to last me into my dotage, Derrick, and that’s only in the last several days. God only knows what mayhem tomorrow will bring.”
“God only knows.”
“I don’t evenlikethe scent of jasmine.”
“Why would you? Sickly sweet stuff. Cloying, even.”
“I’m the Marquess of Huntington, for God’s sake, and I’ve been tearing around this house like a fool all night, chasing after some unruly chit who’s jilted me.”
“Twice.”
“Well, then. Miss Somerset may do as she pleases. I’m retiring to my bedchamber.” Finn turned on his heel and marched down the hallway. He was scowling—he knew he was, because his brow was so low he could feel his eyelashes brush his forehead with every blink.
Damn it, where was she?
He stopped at the top of the staircase and turned back to Derrick, who was still leaning against the wall outside Miss Somerset’s door.
Derrick raised an eyebrow at him. “Something the matter, Huntington?”
