Page 31 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

“What?”

Eugenia looked at the small card hanging by a ribbon from her wrist, chewing her lip. “It seems Mr. Rickford has signed his name next to the supper waltz.”

The man who must have been Rickford grinned at him. The red of Eugenia’s gown was nothing compa

red to the red haze that colored Devon’s world. “We always have the supper waltz together, my dear.” If his jaw got any tighter his teeth would snap.

The music started and Rickford held his hand out for Eugenia, who smiled at him, shrugged at Devon—her husband—and walked off.

Bloody, bloody hell!

Chapter Nine

“Handsome male friends are indispensable to a woman seeking a certain man’s attention.”

Secrets of the Bedchamber, p. 68

Eugenia stretched languidly and stared out the bedchamber window. Sally had just entered and pulled open all the drapes, allowing the bright sunshine to flood the room. She shifted and moved to her side, resting her head on her folded hands.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop smiling over the ball the night before. Devon had definitely disliked all the attention she’d received. Truth be told, she hadn’t been too happy with it herself. Where were all these men when she’d spent ball after ball with only two or three names on her dance card?

Of course, one look at Devon last Season as he had approached her for the first time, tall, a rakish curl falling over his broad forehead, and handsome as sin in his evening attire, had made her heart thump and her stomach flutter. Handsome, charming, titled, and wealthy, Devon had been the darling of the ton. Marriage-minded mamas had dragged any number of giggling, blushing daughters to him, but he had never shown more than a polite interest.

Eugenia had admired him from afar since her come-out. To her way of thinking, no other man measured up. He, however, had never seemed to notice her. She’d heard he’d been searching for a bride for two years, and she was genuinely surprised when he’d turned his attention, and full-out charm, on her. Since she’d spent most of her time sitting with the wallflowers, she’d never come to his attention. Until that magical night at the Billingham’s ball when he’d walked up to her with Lord Talbot at his side. Talbot had made the introductions, and Devon had requested a dance.

That he had actually requested an introduction, and then commenced to court her, still brought shivers to her skin. But now she wanted more. More of him, more of his attentions, more of his visits to her bed. She grinned. She’d certainly gotten more of his attention last night. As soon as the supper waltz had ended, Devon had sought her out and joined her and Mr. Rickford for supper. Rickford hadn’t looked too pleased, but she’d been ecstatic.

Devon was most solicitous and attentive throughout the meal. Once they’d begun talking, it had seemed as though Rickford hadn’t been there at all. The night had been almost as perfect as the night they’d met.

One thing that would have made it truly perfect, however, would have been a visit to her bed. But once they’d returned home, he’d kissed her briefly on the cheek and headed to his room. She had waited with anticipation, but after listening to him and his valet speaking for a while in his bedchamber, all had gotten quiet and he never came to her.

Of course, yesterday hadn’t been one of the usual days he was to visit her, but he had missed other days for more than a week now. Her stomach clenched at the thought that he might have already found a replacement for Mrs. Forestor. She had to continue to push him. More research from her book was definitely in order.

“My lady, you have a visitor.” Bellows held out a small card that she took from his hand. Mr. Alexander Rickford.

Her eyebrows rose. Mr. Rickford was calling on her? She’d never had a man call on her since she’d been married. Oh, a few had come with their mothers once in a while, or a betrothed, but never a man by himself. “Is he alone, Bellows?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Strange. “Show him into the drawing room, and please send for tea.” She checked herself in the mirror next to her desk and headed to the drawing room. The knocker sounded as she reached the drawing room, and Bellows admitted two more men. Both of them had partnered her the night before.

Within a half hour, she had a room full of visitors. Three women and five men. Even during her unmarried Seasons she’d never had more than two men calling at a time.

“Lady Devon,” Mr. Rickford said. “Will you be attending the Grossman’s ball this evening?”

“No, I am sorry, Mr. Rickford. I have accepted an invitation to Lady Montrose’s musicale.”

The man actually looked let down, which thoroughly confused her. She was a married woman, after all. She was aware that a number of married women who had already presented an heir and spare to their husbands were apt to conduct discreet affairs. Even if she had already performed that duty, her mother had been very strict that a true lady had no need for passion and would best avoid any liaisons with gentlemen other than one’s husband.

Although, it seemed acceptable for a man to have that freedom, but as she’d learned years ago, the rule book for men was quite different from that for women. Mother had been most adamant about that. Rules for little girls were different from little boys also. Her brother, Nash, now the Earl of Clarendon since her father’s death three years ago, had had freedom throughout their childhood she could only dream about.

“I will be at the musicale, tonight, my lady. It would be my pleasure to escort you.” Lord Dunham placed his teacup on the low table in front of him.

“That will not be necessary.” Devon stood at the doorway, his clipped tone and the disdain on his face bringing the lively group to a halt. “I will be escorting my wife to the musicale.”

Eugenia lowered her lids and took a sip of tea, trying hard to hide her smile. Devon had made it clear when she asked him about attending that he had no desire to subject his ears to another evening of torture. Either he’d forgotten that, or her plan was beginning to work.

“Oh, well, certainly, my lord.” Dunham spoke quickly, then stood. “I believe I will take my leave now. I have an appointment to see to.”