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Philip’s jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. “Understood, Mother.”

Adelaide’s face softened as she looked at her children. “I know I push you both, but it’s because I want the best for you. These social events are our way of securing a stable and prosperous future. You both understand that.”

Georgina nodded. “Yes, Mother, we understand.”

Philip could not escape the conversation quick enough. He could not wait to get to his study so he could instead lose himself in his thoughts of Lady Verity.

Who knew, maybe she would be at the garden party as well…

CHAPTER 17

Verity had nervous butterflies flapping away in the pit of her stomach as she reached Lady Maria’s Garden with her mother and brother in tow. But this time, it wasn’t so much the party that had her anxiety levels rising. It was the thought of seeing him once more.

Lord Philip Easton.

Her brother’s words floated through her mind. The harsh words he used when he reminded her that the Marquess of Eilendale would never look her way because of her age and status. She also knew that Cedric wanted to match Philip with his sister. Yet she still could not help herself.

Her eyes wanted to find him, and only him.

They stepped in to the lush gardens which were abuzz with the gentle murmur of conversation as the guests mingled. But soon her eyes found what they were looking for.

There he is. Verity’s heart skipped a beat as she found Philip across the lawn looking absolutely dashing in his tailored coat and breeches.

Almost as if he could sense her eyes upon him, Philip glanced up and met her gaze. Verity nearly shuddered with desire as a warm smile spread across his face. The butterflies that had been fluttering in her stomach before grew to the size of birds. She could hardly contain herself as she grinned back. A big part of her wanted to cross the lawn to speak with only him. There was no one else here that would capture her attention in the same way.

But she could not move. She wasn’t given the chance to do so.

“Good morning, Lady Sinclair.”

Her heart sunk as Ambrose crept up beside her, followed by his daughters, of course. It would not be the same if Amelia and Cordelia were not shooting daggers her way.

But they were not the only ones.

Henry was also glaring at Verity, trying to silently warn her that she had no choice but to engage in polite conversation with Ambrose and his smirking children.

Verity forced herself to smile. “Good morning, Lord Aldford. How are you?”

“Oh, well I am quite well.” He let out a misplaced laugh. “The garden is looking rather wonderful for a tea party.”

“Yes… it is.”

The conversation always felt so formal, so stilted. Verity never quite knew what she was supposed to say to say to him.

It wasn’t like when she talked to Philip. With him, she could never stop herself from talking. She never ran out of things to say to him.

If only she did not have her brother staring at her, then she could escape this suffocating presence. He was right there, almost within touching distance, yet Verity was trapped here, unable to go anywhere.

“What lawn games do you think Lady Maria will have for us today?”

“Erm…” Verity’s cheeks burned. How could she answer Ambrose when his daughters were making such an effort to laugh nastily at her. “I am not sure. Battledore, probably, and perhaps Shuttlecock as well.”

“Yes, well I was always known for my shuttlecock game, so that should be interesting…”

As Ambrose droned on, bragging about his skill when it came to lawn games, Verity desperately sought out an escape. There was no way that she could stand to have this conversation for any longer than she absolutely had to, it was agonizing.

“Oh, my cousin, Faye, is calling me over to the refreshments’ table,” Verity suddenly declared. “I should go and see what the emergency is.”

“Oh, of course.” Ambrose nodded, not at all concerned. “I have many people that I need to catch up with as well.”