Page 6 of The Seductive Love of a Lady
The Dukes of Bradford and Arundel stared as Drew and his friends neared; his pack of wolves approaching the Pembroke pride of lions.
Drew beckoned Mary, to bring her away from them. He did not fancy a full-blown war breaking out in the Everetts’ drawing room.
She came, although she looked nervous, but obviously his turning up here had gone some way towards building bridges as opposed to hurdles.
He hoped this did not knock them down.
‘Sweetheart,’ he stated as she came over, ‘my friends wish to apologise, they did not mean to offend you last night.’ She blushed harder as he took her elbow and turned her to the others.
‘Lady Framlington. Felicitations on your marriage,’ Peter stated with a brief bow.
‘Lord Brooke.’ She bobbed a slight curtsy. ‘Thank you.’
Drew doubted she was thankful at all.
‘I am pleased the prose worked.’ Peter claimed one of her hands and lifted it to his lips. ‘And glad you deemed our dear friend worthy.’
Discomfort rippled through Drew; he did not like Peter touching her.
Mary withdrew her fingers before Peter could kiss them. ‘Your prose was very good, Lord Brooke, but I have told you before, I do not value false flattery.’
‘But my dear, it was never false.’ Peter couldn’t help flirting with any woman.
The hairs on the back of Drew’s neck prickled because this woman was not any woman, she was his.
‘Now if you would simply unsay whatever it is you said to your friend?—’
‘Congratulations, Lady Framlington,’ Harry interrupted.
‘You have my good wishes too.’ Mark vied for her attention as he and Harry bowed, both reaching for her hand. Mark claimed it first and pressed a kiss on the back of it, then passed her hand to Harry.
‘And Miss Smithfield…’ Peter prodded.
‘Will have nothing more to do with you, I am afraid, Lord Brooke, if she is sensible.’
‘And from that I conclude you think yourself not sensible.’ Peter’s eyebrows lifted as he glanced in Drew’s direction. ‘So, all is not roses in heaven then, Fram.’ Peter slapped Drew’s shoulder. ‘But you are still rich…’
Drew shrugged. He would not discuss his issues with them. ‘But not as rich as you,’ he quipped again, to hide his unease.
‘May we call on you at Drew’s?’ Mark asked Mary.
‘You have such lovely eyes,’ Harry complimented.
Drew stepped closer to her. ‘No one is to call unless invited. Mary will not wish to be hounded by you reprobates.’
‘And if you do call, she is likely to be out!’ The deep pitch came from behind Drew.
Marlow.
Drew turned.
The Dukes of Arundel and Bradford stood at her father’s right and left shoulders.
Would Mary be the rope in a tug of war every day of their marriage?
Perhaps, Drew should have stayed away and left her to her family here.
At least his friends recognised the moment to bow out. They withdrew, rather than begin a brawl, laughing, presumably at Lord Marlow and his in-laws.
