Page 6 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“As I mentioned last evening, I would like to see you again when we are in London. Perhaps I may call at your cousins’ home? Or you might enjoy a ride in the park?”

She shook her head slowly and looked away from him. “No. That is perhaps not the best thing to do.”

“Does your cousin not approve of gentlemen calling on you? Is that not the purpose of the Season?”

Miss Blake hesitated, and chewed her lower lip, as if she were trying to find a way to say something she did not want to tell him. “No, my cousin would not object.”

“Then?” He did not believe she didn’t hold an interest in his attentions. She had been far too receptive to his subtle advances so far. He’d had enough experience with women to know when one was amenable and when one was not. “Do you find me offensive?”

“No.” She shook her head slowly, avoiding his eyes.

“Boring, or disagreeable?”

She gasped as he pulled her close to avoid another couple who had stopped in the middle of the dance floor to argue. “No, Mr. Templeton, you are not offensive, boring, or disagreeable. You are, in fact, quite pleasant and charming.”

She said the last part as though she were insulting him instead of offering a compliment. “And you find pleasant and charming not to your liking?” He smiled, trying to cajole her out of the somber mood the conversation had put her in.

“Not at all.”

“Oh, I see. So, you find pleasant and charming distasteful only in me?” His grin grew wider at the flush on her face. The music stopped, and he held onto her hand. “Walk with me.”

He led her toward the French doors. “Will you allow me to escort you to the patio? There are several couples out there.”

She nodded, and he opened the door and allowed her to pass through in front of him. Taking her arm, he led her to a small stone bench under a large elm tree. The sun had just started its final descent in the sky, leaving the entire area bathed in a golden glow. They sat, and she turned to face him.

He studied her for a minute. “What is it you are trying so very hard not to tell me?”

Miss Blake took a deep breath and looked away from him, examining the newly planted flower garden. When a full minute passed, and she still had not answered him, he placed his finger under her chin and turned her head. “What is it, Miss Blake?”

“It is nothing of great importance. My goodness, such a fuss.” She drew her head away, smoothed out her skirts, and attempted a smile.

She failed.

“Since there is nothing of great importance that you feel you need to tell me, then I will proceed as I said, and call on you when we return to London.”

Miss Blake stiffened her shoulders and looked him in the eye. Whatever it was she wanted to say, he gave her credit for facing it square on. “Perhaps I do not want you to call on me.”

“I see.” Although he certainly did not. This woman was definitely attracted to him. “And why is that?” She appeared to become more agitated.

“Mr. Templeton, I am flattered that you wish to call on me in London, but I am afraid I will be quite busy and will be unable to receive you or accompany you on rides to the park.”

“Hmm. That doesn’t answer my question.” He dipped his head to look at her face.

Suzanna studied her lap and pinched the fabric of her gown, avoiding his gaze. “Because nothing could come of it.” The whispered words were barely out when she jumped up, but b

efore she could race away, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back down. “Why not?”

She looked away, studying the fading sun behind the trees surrounding them. Taking a deep breath, she looked up. Her beautiful blue eyes, that had held him captive since they’d met, regarded him sadly. “Because I may encourage only men with a title.”

He released her hand and she rose, then hurried back to the ballroom, her hips swaying enticingly, leaving her flowery scent behind.

…

One week later

Suzanna joined Lord and Lady Montford at the top of the stairs as the butler announced them at the Linden ball. This was the first event they’d attended since Patience’s wedding. Suzanna had spent a few days with her aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Wilton, before the Montfords arrived in London to open their townhouse for the Season.

If she’d had a hard time relegating the very tempting Mr. Templeton to the back of her mind, the arrival of Mother’s missive that morning had reminded her she needed to forget him entirely.