Page 27 of Her Duke at Midnight
Cecily knew Whitlock wouldn’t relent. She shook her head, and the footman retreated. But the young man’s presence seemed to irritate the elderly lord even more.
“When Everton’s done with you, perhaps we could come to an arrangement.” His words were delivered in the same smirking tone he’d used with Lady Arbuthnot.
“Not if you were the last man alive, my lord.” With that, she turned on her heel and strode away from Whitlock, making her way once more toward the footman.
“He shouldn’t be served any more drinks. If he insists, I suggest the staff water them down. I’ll speak to Lady Derwent.”
“Very good, my lady.”
As Cecily headed back toward Fiona, she saw that someone was already speaking to their hostess. Lady Arbuthnot stood close to Lady Derwent, then glanced toward Lord Whitlock.
Good, Cecily thought. She’d been ineffective with the drunken lord, but perhaps Lady Derwent could convince the man to stop harassing the ladies of the party.
Once again, Cecily scanned the drawing room and found no sign of Adam. She was tempted to go and find him, but Fiona caught up with her as she attempted to sneak from the room.
“If you’re looking for a certain tall, dark, handsome duke, I heard that a few of the gentlemen are gathered in the library, and apparently, some of the ladies decided on a walk through the conservatory to avoid a drunken lord.” Fiona reached for Cecily’s hand. “Portia said you went and spoke to Whitlock. Are you all right?”
She was the only person Cecily had confided in about Archibald’s drunken cruelty, though even she didn’t know the whole of it.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Cecily glanced toward the hallway, and Fiona seemed to read her thoughts.
“You’re going to go and find Everton.” It wasn’t a question. Just an accurate statement of fact. “Remember, dancing is set to begin soon.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going to find him.”
* * *
“I knew it. I damned well knew it.” Bennett sat so far forward on the settee, Adam thought he might fall off. “And I’m the one who brought you here. I guess I’m a bloody good matchmaker.”
“Calm yourself,” Adam told him with false gruffness. “You don’t know anything.Idon’t even know what this is. I just know it’s different.” Adam pressed a hand to his chest, where he felt the oddest bloom of warmth while they’d discussed Cecily and his feelings for her. Which he still hadn’t fully sorted out. Though, of course, Bennett diagnosed him instantly.
“Yes, you fool. That iced-over organ in your chest is beginning to thaw. That’s what you’re feeling.” Bennett beamed at him. “You’ve fallen in love.” He looked downright smug. “I knew you’d come around eventually.”
“Good grief, Bennett. I’ve known her a couple of days.”
His friend waved a hand dismissively. “Time is no matter. Sometimes, you simply know.” Clutching a hand against his own chest, he beamed at Adam.
“You act as if you’ve won something, but I assure you that whatever I feel for Cecily doesn’t ensure any sort of bliss.” Adam had refused the drink Bennett offered him twenty minutes ago, but now he wished he had something to do with his hands. Discussing matters of the heart wasnotone of his strengths.
“All I’ve won is the opportunity to see my very dear friend finally admit that love isn’t only for fools.”
“Oh, I still believe that. Even talking about all this…” Adam gestured vaguely at the space between them. “All of it makes me uncomfortable.”
“Well, hopefully it will be less uncomfortable when you tell Cecily.”
Adam’s heart leapt into his throat and panic swept in. “You think I should tell her?”
Bennett tipped his head in confusion. “Is that even a serious question?”
He was right, the damned romantic fool. Of course, none of these strange new feelings mattered a whit if he wasn’t willing to express them to the woman who’d inspired them. But while he knew every soft swell of a woman’s body like the back of his hand, he knew next to nothing about a woman’s heart.
Let alone his own.
“Yes,” Bennett said with quiet sincerity. “You must speak to her. It’s the only way to determine if she shares your feelings and might accept a proposal.”
“I said nothing about a proposal, Bennett.”
“Well, what else do you plan to do with a woman you don’t think you can live without? She’s a respectable noblewoman, Everton.”
