Caroline heaved a sigh. While the fantasy offered hope, she knew it was not realistic. Even if she didn’t sprain—or break—a leg or ankle, she could hardly run across the gardens shrieking like a banshee. But it was exactly what she felt like doing. If the lunch she’d just had to endure in the company of the earl was an indication of how the rest of this house party would go, she might very well end up locked in an attic before it was over, babbling away to herself.
She turned slightly at the sound of footsteps approaching. As she did, she caught sight of Brice and Lord Kendrick just inside the doorway. She had hoped to have a chance to talk to Brice, but those thoughts dwindled at the formidable sight of the Marquis of Kendrick. Dressed as he was in knee-high boots, leather breeches, and a flowing white shirt open at the throat with no cravat, he violated every fashion rule thetonvalued. Not only that, but his hair was loose and hung in inky waves to his shoulders. From where she stood, his eyes looked black as coals in his tanned face. He stood with his legs spread as though he were on a pitching boat, bracing himself against a high sea. He folded his arms across his broad chest and narrowed his gaze, appearing every inch a swashbuckler. Caroline caught herself looking to see if Stephan had a scimitar hanging from his side.
But he didn’t. What in the world had gotten into her today? First contemplating jumping out a window and now envisioning the marquis as a pirate. Although it was rather easy to see how those ridiculous rumors might have gotten started, given his dark looks and demeanor. His manner of dress flaunted Society’s rules, and that brought a smile to her lips.
Almost as if he’d read her mind—there went her imagination again!—the marquis lifted a corner of his mouth and inclined his head ever so slightly in her direction. She could have sworn she saw the expression in his eyes change, but that was foolishness, too, given that he was nearly twenty feet away.
“It is about time you favored us with a smile,” her father said as he and Tisdale appeared, forcing her to turn her attention to them.
“Indeed,” the earl added, taking an additional step closer.
Caroline took a step back. The earl had sat much too close to her at lunch, his leg brushing her skirts too many times to be coincidental. Unfortunately, the earl’s daughter Ann had been sitting in the chair on the other side of Caroline. The more Caroline had tried to shift away from the earl, the closer she’d moved to Ann who had started to give her strange looks. To make matters worse, Lord Tisdale had subtly adjusted his seat as well. By the end of the meal, Caroline had felt as squeezed as a sardine in a fishing net. She stopped smiling.
The earl frowned, but before he could say anything, Caroline spoke.
“I find the atmosphere rather stuffy in here,” she said. “I think I will go downstairs and take the air in the garden.” Hopefully, she could manage to let Brice know on the way out that she needed to talk to him.
“Allow me to escort you,” Tisdale said with a smirk. “I understand there are lots of nooks and crannies along the walkways that offer some privacy.”
Damnation. Caroline was tempted to say the word aloud, but that would only draw the ire of her father, and she would rather choose a different battleground for that. If only she could simply refuse the earl’s suit outright, but since the prince regent had given his approval, she knew she had to act more subtly. Insulting a royal’s pride would get her nowhere and possibly put her father’s position in jeopardy as well. However, appealing to the regent’s well-known love of competition might work. She only hoped Brice would agree to the plan she’d come up with.
“You may not have noticed, my lord, but many of the ladies have already left this room for the gardens. It should be quite busy.”
The earl frowned again, obviously not liking her gainsaying him. But she had pointed out a fact, one that he could hardly refute since the room was nearly empty.
“Then perhaps my daughter should go with you,” he said and gestured toward Ann, who had been hovering nearby but staring at the doorway.
She came forward. “I would love to accompany my future mother-in-law.”
Caroline tried not to grind her teeth. Ann was close to twenty. “I doubt that you have need of a mother.”
The girl’s eyes widened, and Caroline nearly rolled her own. Ann reminded her of a younger version of Vanessa Caldwell, petite and delicate with pale skin and blond hair. She had the same kind of coy manner, too. However, Caroline’s father’s expression told her that she’d said the wrong thing…again. She took a deep breath.
“You may accompany me if you wish.”
“Oh, I do,” Ann answered, but she was looking toward the doorway where Brice and Stephan still stood. “Do you know those gentlemen? They seem to be watching us.”
“Yes,” Caroline replied, careful not to say too much until she’d had a chance to persuade Brice to agree to her plan. “I am well acquainted with Lord Barclay. The other man is the Marquis of Kendrick.”
“I should like an introduction to both of them,” Ann said.
Caroline looked at her warily. Something in the girl’s tone made her nape prickle, but she couldn’tnotintroduce them since the men didn’t seem inclined to move from the doorway. “Of course.”
As they neared the door, Brice gave her the mischievous grin he used when he was up to something. Before she could think what it was, he bowed, took her hand, and brushed a kiss over her knuckles like some gallant knight. Was it possible that he had intuited that she needed help? Then, to her surprise Lord Kendrick did the same thing, his kiss on her hand lingering the briefest second overlong. Long enough, though, to have a shivery tingle slide all the way up her arm.
“Delightful to see you again, Miss Nash,” he said.
She felt her cheeks grow warm. Of course, they had met before, but it had been over a year ago. That he remembered who she was made her feel oddly pleased.
“As always,” Brice added, the mischievous grin still on his face.
Ann cleared her throat, and Caroline recalled her manners. “May I present Lady Ann Tisdale?”
Both men bowed slightly, murmuring acknowledgments. Caroline took advantage of the moment and turned to Brice.
“I look forward to…continuing…the topic of conversation we had when last we met. I did read the book you recommended.” Caroline hoped he’d understand, although she wasn’t sure. He’d spent enough time in gaming hells that he’d learned not to let his emotions show.
“It will be my pleasure,” Brice said.
