Page 5 of Celestes Forever Marquess
“I think he likes you,” Sophia whispered.
“You know my rule.”
“Don’t start any matchmaking schemes,” Derry told his wife. “Celeste already warned Devons about it.”
Sophia glared at her husband. “Go back to your own conversation.”
He snorted but did as she asked. Celeste decided she needed to end this. She adored Sophia but didn’t want to be set up with someone. “I have no interest."
Sophia pressed her lips together as if she wanted to argue. Celeste added, “Please let this go.”
“If you insist, but I think the two of you would be such a fantastic match,” her friend said dreamily.
Celeste did her best to suppress a sigh. Besotted fools surrounded her.
After dinner, they all reconvened in the drawing room. Celeste stood with Haven, his family, Devons, and Devons’ wife. Her skin prickled, knowing the man was perusing her. He smiled softly and lifted a glass of champagne to his lips. His broad, solid frame would undoubtedly make him stand out from all the lords in London.
Devon’s wife, Diana, asked, “Are you excited to enjoy the Season, Lord Haven?”
He jerked his gaze away from Celeste and frowned. “Not quite. New York City hosts similar events, and honestly, I’ve always shied away from them.”
“Not anymore,” his mother stated firmly. “Now that we are settling in England, my son hopes to find a proper bride.”
Haven’s brother seemed to choke on his drink. Celeste suspected it was because of his mother’s bluntness. Haven winced. “Eventually, I hope to marry.”
“Possibly this Season,” his mother added.
An awkwardness hung over the group. Haven looped his arm through his mother’s and smiled. “My mother is excited that one of her children may settle down soon. It seems I am first on her list. I imagine all parents in England are similar.”
Celeste found it endearing that Haven, instead of making his mother feel foolish, accepted her as she was. She found herself smiling at him. His brother held out his arm. “Mother, how about we explore the gardens Lady Derry told us about?”
Diana smiled. “My husband and I will join you.”
That left only her and Haven. The room was crowded with people, but for some reason, nerves filled her. He made her feel as if all her senses were amplified. It was a heightened awareness she couldn’t remember feeling with anyone else. Celeste pushed it away. “It sounds like you won’t leave the Season unattached, Haven.”
He laughed. “My mother means well. She wants me to be happy here.”
“By becoming a proper lord?”
Haven shrugged one of his massive shoulders. “She and I may have differing views on what will make me happy. What society says has never mattered much to me.”
“London might be quite different.”
He smirked. “Spend a few weeks with the New York City elite. They are just as harsh.”
They were quiet for a moment, but then he said, “I would love to see you after this house party.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m not someone you would associate with back in London.”
He frowned. “You are at a proper English house party.”
“Yes, but the Derrys are close friends of mine.”
Haven smiled. “Well, perhaps I’ve decided the Derrys and you are my type of people.”
“Do you know how I know them?”
He shook his head. She smiled at him, knowing her following words would probably end his friendliness. “I’m part-owner with Derry and Devons in the gentlemen’s club, the Den.”
