Page 18 of Courting the Country Miss

Tristan smoothed a wrinkle from his sleeve. “All skill, my man. No luck needed.” He turned to Miss Seton, who’d gained a measure of poise. “My thanks to you for partnering with me, Miss Seton. I daresay we make a formidable team.”

Miss Seton’s smile turned mysterious. “Indeed we do, sir.”

Leticia suppressed an amazed chuckle. Leave it to Tristan to draw out the most reticent girl. Perhaps she should enlist his aid in garnering pledges for their school. He could coax a few guineas from the tightest purse with a mere twitch of his roguish lips.

Now that she thought of it, Tristan’s kindness came as no surprise. He’d always had that soft spot for those he viewed in need of rescue. As children, she’d often had to be the lady in distress while he played the gallant rescuer. How like him to still fulfill that role…unless he truly harbored an interest in the girl. Leticia frowned. Surely not.

Did Tristan find Miss Seton attractive? Did this attraction motivate his interest in the wallflower?

Why did that thought inspire a sudden disliking for the girl, who, only moments ago, Leticia wished to champion? As the evening games ended, many guests bade goodnight, and the group dispersed. Leticia joined her mother and sisters who chatted with the hostess, Mrs. Sherwood. Other guests gathered in clusters to talk and drink. Tristan sauntered to the far end of the room. Mrs. Hunter wandered to him, trying to make it appear as if she’d been taking a turn about the room and happened to pass by, but Leticia knew better. Mrs. Hunter had no apparent qualms about approaching a man instead of waiting for him to approach her. By the evening’s end, their heads were close together. Mrs. Hunter let out a sultry, throaty laugh and touched his arm—just Tristan’s type, curse him. Curse them both. And curse her for letting it irritate her.

Unable to watch another moment, Leticia turned away in disgust. “I believe I’ll go to bed now, Mama.”

Her mother nodded. “Good night, dearest. I’m sure to follow soon.”

Isabella arose. “I will, as well.”

They bade good night to the others. Leticia raised her chin and searched for pleasant thoughts to replace her annoyance about Mrs. Hunter’s clear motives toward Tristan, who would willingly succumb, no doubt, if he hadn’t already, and her fear of Tristan’s motive in showing an interest in Miss Seton. Was it kindness? True interest? A repeat of last year? She barely managed not to groan.

“A diverting party, is it not?” Isabella said as they headed toward the grand staircase.

Leticia sighed. Surely she could find something positive to say about the evening. “Mrs. Seton made a pledge to our foundation.”

“Have you made any new friends?”

“Yes, indeed. I must say, I find it odd when people such as the Sherwoods and the Einsburghs have house parties at this time of year. Of late the weather seems to have obliged them.”

“It does. This is the warmest spring I’ve ever seen.” Her brows raised, Isabella glanced at her. “Is something amiss?”

“No, of course not.”

“You seem a trifle out of sorts. Didn’t you enjoy partnering with the very handsome Captain Kensington?”

“I worry about Tristan. He’s so reckless. I fear he’ll get himself into trouble.”

“He’s already been in a great deal of trouble over the course of his life, I’d say.”

“Yes, and one of these days it will be something that destroys him.” The thought of Tristan coming to any kind of harm tied her stomach into knots.

“What concerns you?” her sister asked.

“The way that Mrs. Hunter woman fawns all over him. And he lets her.” She threw her hands up into the air. “He can’t resist a pretty face.”

“It seems that a great many men have that failing.”

“Not to his extreme. It’s more than the women, it’s the drinking, the gambling, the reckless living.” She let out a huff. “He’s become one of the worst rakes I’ve ever heard of.”

“Have you heard of many rakes?” Isabella teased.

Leticia couldn’t lift her present mood. She made a helpless gesture. “I wish he’d grow up and take some responsibility. Richard can’t go around fixing all his problems.”

Isabella’s smile faded. “You’re quite overset by all this.”

Leticia pushed out a long exhale. “It’s the house party and all the memories of the Einsburghs’ party last year. I don’t want him to ruin anyone else’s life.”

“The way Tristan and Lady Elizabeth ruined yours?”

Leticia clamped her mouth shut.