She pursed her lips, something she did out of habit when she was not happy or wanted to be stubborn about a thing. “You complain of your mother being meddlesome, but how are you any better? I have no intention of getting married, so put aside whatever plots you are concocting in your head.”
“Now you are just being difficult, Eden. Did we not speak of this very thing only yesterday? Your regret in rejecting allsuitors. Well, here’s your chance to try again. Do not retreat into your protective shell.”
“And what about you? Aren’t you doing the same thing?”
He shook his head. “Not at all. Our circumstances are quite different. I have been married already…unhappily, as you now know. But I have my children, who are the light of my life. I am not going to be forced into an unwanted arrangement with a peahen half my age because everyone else believes I am pathetic and lonely.”
Eden felt those words like a physical blow. “Is that what you think of me? Pathetic and lonely?”
He seemed surprised by the notion. “Not at all. Weren’t those the very words you used when we spoke yesterday? You are beautiful, Eden. No one will ever mistake you for pathetic. I was using it to describe me. Is this not how those young peahens will view me?”
“You are daft, Connor. You have the Silver Duke aura. It is quite annoying how the air around you seems to shimmer silver in your presence. Those peahens will fall at your feet in raptures.”
He shrugged. “I hope not. I’ll be spending the week avoiding those sweet young things as much as possible and steering them toward the other bachelors in attendance. I’ll do it subtly, of course.”
“Your mother will box your ears when she realizes what you are doing.”
“Only if she finds out. You’re not going to tell her, are you?”
“Not going to tell me what?” his mother asked, blowing into the room at that untimely moment in a swirl of magenta silk and a hideous lace cap perched stylishly atop her white-haired head. “Why should I box your ears?”
Eden smiled and kissed her cheek because his mother was daring and slightly outrageous, and Eden adored her. “Your timing is perfect, Evelyn.”
His mother kissed her back. “It always is. I’m so glad you’ve changed your mind and decided to join us for the week, my dear. Not that you really had a choice. I hear your parents are at Chestnut Hill and have forced you to flee your own home. Well, it is a happy circumstance that you are with us now, whatever the reason. And don’t you look lovely?”
Eden laughed. “Are you surprised about my appearance? You brought this about. Choosing my gown. Sending Delia in to style my hair.”
“Adding fragrant oils to Eden’s bath,” Connor chimed in. “The men are going to be sniffing her all night long.”
“Ugh!” Eden said. “I don’t want their noses anywhere near me.”
But his mother’s eyes brightened. “Ah, you noticed her transformation?”
He grinned. “Hard to overlook.”
Duchess Evelyn’s eyes were now trained intently on her son. “So, what is it you plan to do that will have me boxing your ears?”
He glanced at Eden as he raked a hand through his gorgeous mane of hair, and then turned back to face the daunting dowager. “You are my mother and I love you dearly and sincerely, but this does not give you dominion over me. I am not in agreement with your scheme to marry me off. It is a futile endeavor. But now that you have brought these peahens and their families here this week, I am going to make the best of it.”
“What do you mean?” his mother asked.
“We are not going on the marriage hunt for me, but for Eden. There are eligible bachelors in attendance. Present them to her. Encourage them to get to know her.”
Eden frowned at him. “Traitor.”
His mother smiled. “I heartily approve! It is time Eden chose a husband for herself.”
“I think it is a terrible idea. Evelyn, you needn’t be deliriously pleased about this disaster of a suggestion.” Eden continued to frown at Connor.
The dowager duchess cast her an affectionate smile. “Nonsense—it is a grand idea. You are such a lovely thing, Eden. We all want to see you find the happiness you deserve. Isn’t it true, Connor? Don’t you wish her every happiness possible?”
“Yes, I do. With all my heart. I am glad we are allied in this.” Connor tossed Eden a triumphant smirk.
“It is a cheap trick to deflect attention from himself and dump all attention on me, Evelyn. Do not allow him to do this. We must not lose sight of the reason these peahens are here.”
“We mustn’t refer to them as peahens, Eden. Though I will admit some of these girls are lacking in maturity.”
“And brains,” Connor commented wryly.
