Page 96 of The Baron Takes a Bet
“Do you disagree?” Violet asked, before adding. “And I’ll remind you, you are married to my brother.”
Holly smiled as Clara laughed.
“On my honor, nothing has brought me more happiness than my union with Silas, but I do have reservations when it comes to the Trembley men.”
Violet shook her head.
“I assure you, the Trembley men are perfectly capable of being happy.”
“Fredrick, certainly. But the earl?” Holly asked, gazing across the room to where her husband stood. “He doesn’t seem like the type of man to allow himself much room in ways of love.”
Gavin, Silas, and Derek were discussing something, but to her satisfaction, her husband turned, as if sensing her stare. Catching her eye, Gavin smirked at her, and a warmth Holly had begun to cherish filled her heart as memories of the night before played between them. She turned her focus back to the ladies.
“I’m sure the earl is capable,” Violet said. “Now, let me tell you about Alfred’s bride-to-be.”
“Yes, how did they meet?” Clara asked. “And what of this sister who is accompanying her here?”
“Well, from what I understand it was all very fast, but according to Alfred’s letters to Fredrick, he is besotted and she is supposedly as sweet and lovely as the morning dew,” Violet said, her eyebrows raised. “It is quite humorous when the Trembley men turn poetic. It means they’re truly in love.”
“Has Fredrick ever spoken to you like that?” Clara asked, surprised.
“Of course,” she replied. “Now, Alfred’s future sister-in-law however, is another story entirely.”
“Why is that?”
But before Violet could explain further, the footman announced the arrival of Alfred and his party.
“Mr. Alfred Trembley, Miss Leona Meadows, and the Comtesse de Retha.”
Holly shared speculative glances with the others as a surprised hush fell over the crowd. Alfred entered the room, escorting a young lady whose beauty was as evident as the sun. Her honey-blonde hair was pinned back in an elegant style. She was dressed in a pale blue travel gown, and she carried herself with an air of grace most ladies strived for. She was breathtakingly lovely.
Alfred brought her to the center of the room, where she was introduced to his mother, the dowager countess, and the earl.
Before introductions could be completed, however, a woman starkly different from the first entered. She was dressed in mauve silk, with dozens of dyed feathers trimming the hood of her travel cloak, which she pushed back to reveal her near black hair. Silver-blue eyes glanced over the room, and a slight smirk caught at the corner of her mouth as all eyes fell on her.
“There’s no need to use my title,” she said to the footman before adding, loud enough for the rest of the room to hear, “My divorce was finalized well over a year ago.”
A few soft gasps filtered throughout the room, and Holly stared wide-eyed at the American woman. She was bold in her style of dress, as well as her mannerisms, but there was a quality about her that made Holly curious.
The lady came forward, curtsying to the dowager countess.
“My lady,” she said.
“A pleasure to meet you,” the dowager said, somewhat startled as her gaze flickered to her son. “Alfred has written the kindest things about you, as has your sister.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” the dark-haired woman said sweetly, before shifting her focus to her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Derek. “My lord.”
“Comtesse,” he said, his tone stiff.
“Miss Meadows,” she said, her tone teasing, yet thoughtful. “Or are you hard of hearing?” Violet stifled a giggle, earning a glance from the American, who sidestepped the annoyed looking earl as she came forward. “You must be Violet. Judging from what Alfred has shared, I’m certain we will be great friends. Come, you will be my commencer.”
The entire party seemed wholly focused on the American divorcee. Holly was somewhat fixated on the woman herself when she felt the warm touch of Gavin’s hand at her elbow. With the entire room distracted, he could pull her away without much notice, which confused but delighted Holly.
“What are you doing?” she whispered as they disappeared from the parlor.
“Tending to you.”
She smiled, though she was still confused.
