Page 9 of Lords, Ladies and Love

She snorted. Admittedly, she did not like to spend her time embroidering or gossiping quietly with her friends, but her behavior was hardly scandalous. Yes, she enjoyed a good dance and took every opportunity to laugh and flirt, but it was entirely harmless. She was always escorted, and she could hardly help if some of the sour-faced crones did not approve of her vivacious manner.

“I did not realize such behavior was a crime. Nor would I go so far as to call it outrageous.”

“My aunt is in need of a steady companion. Someone who can ensure she remains safe and well.”

“And I hardly think allowing her to paint put her in any danger,” Angel exclaimed.

His lips thinned. “My aunt’s behavior can be…erratic. You encouraging her is not helpful.”

“I suppose you would rather she remained inside, Mr. Hunter? Spending her time embroidering or perhaps that she simply stay sedentary for the rest of her days?”

“There are plenty of age-appropriate activities for a lady of her age,” he said tightly.

“I understand that you may think you are protecting her, but you do your aunt a disservice.”

Angel could not help like how his posture tightened. A tiny flourish of triumph whirled its way through her, easing some of the annoyance bunching her fists. The man was being wholly unreasonable and he had to know it.

“By your own proclamation, you have been here a mere twenty minutes, and yet you claim to know what my aunt needs already, my lady?”

The mocking formality edging Mr. Hunter’s tone had her bunching her fists all over again. She had to concentrate hard not to twist on her heel and stomp off. She did not want to be here any more than he seemed to want her here, but she had no choice. If she did not complete these two months and ensure Mrs. Stone remained in excellent health, she would not gain her inheritance. Goodness knows, Theo needed one less burden desperately.

Oh yes, and she would be that much more impressive to the Duke of Norwick. She kept forgetting that part.

Angel forced her voice to remain steady and her feet to stay in one spot. “I do not need to know your aunt to understand that no lady of intelligence wishes to remain cloistered in a house with nothing to entertain.” She drew up her shoulders. “Now, if you are done berating me, I imagine your aunt is waiting inside for us, and she was right, I have had a long journey.” She took a long breath. “I must thank you for your…warm welcome” —she quirked her lips and took a little pleasure in the way his expression soured— “but I think I could do with some refreshment and a little repose. You should like that, Mr. Hunter. You seem quite a fan of inactivity.”

His eyes turned hard. “Just be aware, my lady, I will be watching you. My aunt is important to me, and I will not have some frivolous young lady taking advantage of her.”

“Whether you are her nephew or not, Mr. Hunter, I shall not be intimidated. I wish only the best for your aunt, and if I believe that includes painting outside, you can be certain that is what will happen.”

Angel turned on her heel, snatched up her travel bag, and headed toward the house. Somehow she felt his gaze boring into her back but managed to keep her gaze head-on. The awareness made her stomach twist, however. For some reason, this man had already decided he knew her and was determined she was entirely inappropriate for his aunt. Well, this might not have been how she’d planned to spend the next two months, but she would show him.

Chapter Four

Reuben rubbed a hand across his face. While he might not have liked Lady Angel Templeton, he’d rather hoped his impression of her had been wrong. He had never been formally introduced to her—after all, his time in London was for work and never for any of the frivolities thetonenjoyed. He was not quite important or rich enough to be considered part of theton.However, he’d witnessed her…vivacious behavior. It might sit well enough within London society, but it would not do here. Besides, what the devil was a lady of her breeding doing being a lady’s companion? Surely there was a ball somewhere that was lacking dancers or a gathering of noblemen with a need of some flirtation?

Oh yes, he knew well enough of Lady Angel’s reputation as silly and flirtatious. The papers were seldom without a line or two dedicated to her persistence in all things frivolous and amusing. While she might not be actively involved in scandal, she was one of those women who persisted skirting the line. As soon as she married a wealthy, titled gentleman, her behavior would change from slightly mischievous to downright wicked. He’d seen it many a time, not least in his own mother.

Unfortunately for Lady Angel, the letter he’d just received only secured his understanding of her arrival here. He ran his gaze over the neat cursive once more then folded and tucked it into the breast pocket of his jacket.

Lady Angel…if there was anyone further from an angel, it had to be her. Whoever had arranged this with his aunt was surely mad. Indeed she had the sort of perfect skin and symmetrical features one might expect from an angel, and her emerald eyes were to the point of startling. And, admittedly, her figure was distracting. Not to mention that dark glossy hair…

Reuben frowned. What was his point now? He reached across the desk and clasped his cup of coffee. Well, it did not matter what his point about her looks were. The fact of the matter was she should not be looking after his aunt, and he could only fathom one reason why she would volunteer for such a position—money.

His aunt had plenty, and according to the letter, the Marquis of Eastbrook was struggling financially. With several large estates to look after and a dead wife who apparently managed to accrue enough debt to make even the Prince Regent cringe, as well as three siblings who no doubt took some looking after, it had become clear why Lady Angel Templeton was spending time with his aunt.

He sighed. Hopefully there would come a day where no one was trying to swindle his trusting aunt and he could relax. Today, however, was not that day. Reuben took a quick sip of coffee and grimaced at the bitter, cold taste. After dealing with some constituent problems, this letter from a friend in London who had far better connections with thetonthan he had caused him to forget all about his afternoon drink.

It was not because he had spent too long thinking of Lady Angel’s green eyes.

No. Not at all.

Shoving back his chair, he stood and straightened his jacket. He would have to spend even more time at his aunt’s if he was going to ensure this woman did not swindle any money out of her.

With a quick glance around the study at the letters abandoned on the desk and the general mess, Reuben shook his head. Ideally, he would spend the day working, but his mind was not in it now.

Notbecause Angel Templeton was preoccupying his mind.

Even if she was not readying herself to deceive his aunt, she hardly warranted much thought. He knew her type all too well—pretty, wealthy, used to getting whatever they wanted, and bored far too easily. A woman like her would lose interest soon enough with any luck, and his aunt would be safe. Until then, he had to protect Aunt Jean.

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