Page 27 of In Compromise with the Earl
“I can swim,” Aphrodite said brightly. “No offense, My Lord, but I don’t think we would suit for marriage, but friends?”
His smile was wry. “I agree, we can be friends, just try not to challenge me at billiards. The one you have your heart set on learned that lesson the hard way.”
“Ah,” she nodded. “How are you at cards then?”
An hour later and with witty repartee, a stalemate at cards and still bantering between them, Lord Easton asked, “Would you like to walk with me?”
“I’d love to,” Aphrodite agreed. After they stood, he took Aphrodite’s hand, placed it on his arm, and led them toward and through the open French doors and escorted her outside.
Walking with him down the steps that led down to the cobblestone path, Aphrodite smiled. The air was warm, with the sweet, fresh country smell of lingering rainwater and flower’s perfume. They ambled without haste, happy to be in each other’s company. “I want to tell you that I have reconsidered my hesitation about you and Lord Tennesley. I think you might be the best for him.”
Her brows lifted. “What changed?”
“I have a hint that the spark inside you will relight the one his late wife snuffed out,” Lord Easton said. “He’s gruff and abrasive, with prickly edges. I had a horse once, and the poor thing broke a leg. For years he did not run for fear that he would injure himself again. That might be the same case with Tennesley.”
“And here I thought being a curmudgeon was his natural disposition,” Aphrodite said as they rounded a corner. She flicked away a stray strand of hair that had fallen over her eye, placing it behind her ear. “He is a challenge, isn’t he?”
“That might be understatement,” the Lord laughed. “I don’t know him, but I sense you might have to navigate a maze to find his heart.”
After another turn, heading to the rose garden, they stopped short with little space to stop from running head on into Oswald and a blonde lady. In a breath, the lady tilted her nose and a scornful sneer took the corner of her lip. Aphrodite’s smile only widened.
“Lord Tennesley,” she greeted, “and—”
“Lady Katherine Fairchild,” Oswald said, his darkening gaze flickering between them. “My partner for the evening, as Lord Easton is yours, I see.”
As soon as his words ended, a wave of taut tension washed over them. They stared at each other, and a tense state lingered. It was not a surprise because the interactions they had in the past were so intense or filled with such an awareness of each other that tension was bound to spring up.
“So, you are Viscount Kingsley daughter,” Lady Fairchild said. “The sole child of theLotharioof London.”
Aphrodite held her head high. “I am, and what do you mean by that?”
“Nothing,” the lady said mockingly, “literallynothing.”
Sharp shock pained Aphrodite’s face and her lips parted at the direct snub. Lord Easton cleared his throat. “Tennesley, I have something to ask you. Would you meet me in the library this evening after dinner?”
Oswald’s eyes never shifted from Aphrodite’s and the blue flame inside them made her shudder inside. “At eight?”
“That’s perfect,” Lord Easton nodded. “Have a good evening, Tennesley and My Lady.”
With Oswald saying the same, they parted ways and headed toward the ivy-covered pagoda. Aphrodite went inside and seated herself on a small wooden bench there.
“That was…” he paused, “telling.”
“About the imperious look Lady Fairchild had for me,” Aphrodite said with a deliberate nonchalant shrug, even while her soul burned. “It is nothing strange to me. She probably knew someone who dallied with my father. Or she is still scandalized about me wearing breeches. She might even know someone from my finishing school and had finally put a face to the name.”
“Perhaps it is because she senses the same thing I have,” Lord Easton said. “You and Tennesley have an undeniable connection. It’s apparent.”
She picked at her skirts. “I know, but I fear it’s too much so soon.”
“You don’t believe in love at first sight?” he asked, teasingly.
“Hardly,” Aphrodite replied, while her gaze drifted to the flower bushes beyond them. She shook her head. “Anyway, tell me more about your business.”
He quirked a brow. “I could tell you, but I think your mind will be somewhere else, or, rather, on someone else.”
Giving him a wry smile, she replied, “Am I that plain?”
“Yes,” he took her arm again. “It’s fair though, we have been talking for hours. If you need a change of pace—”
