Page 26 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
James ran his finger around the rim of his glass. “Would not hurt to pay them a visit, would it? Feel free to put your drink on my brother’s tab, Donald. I am off to see if I can track down my lady love.”
Donald snorted as James gave him a little bow. James left the tavern with a sense of adventure. He would see this to the end. No matter where it led, it was sure to be interesting. He hung his cane on his arm and straightened his hat as he entered the street.
He fetched his horse from the boy he had offered a few coins to hold the reins. The child whooped with glee at his booty and raced off with his shiny coins as James climbed into the saddle. The street where the Easterly family resided was not that far from where his own family estate was. Not that he was currently welcome there.
James knew the way well and he hardly paid attention to the street as he rode. He was instead thinking of how he might smooth over the roughness of the last exchange he had with the mysterious heiress. He only hoped that the woman would consent to see him, since she had not been exactly receptive when he had offered a visit.
The estate loomed and James drew in a breath as he rode up into the entrance. A man stopped him with a raised hand. It looked to be some sort of servant and James tensed. It was possible that he might be turned away before he even reached the steps.
“Business with His Lordship?” The man squinted up at James with some doubt.
James nodded. “I have business with the lady of the house, but I will gladly speak with Lord Easterly, if I must.”
The man held James’ horse steady while James dismounted then motioned for him to go on up to the steps while he led the horse towards the stables. James straightened his jacket and used the door-knocker.
The loud clang swiftly brought the doorman. The heavy oak door swung inward and the man asked, “Business with His Lordship, Sir?”
James shook his head. “I wish to call upon the lady of the house, if that would be possible.”
“I shall have to speak with His Lordship about it, Sir. Would you like to wait in the entrance hall? I fear it might rain.” The doorman waved his hand at the cushioned benches that were designed for visitors.
James nodded and stepped inside as a rumble of thunder sounded overhead. “These summer storms really creep up on a fellow.”
“That they do, Sir.” The doorman gave him a bow. “I shall return shortly.”
James waved the man off and sat down to wait. The house really was quite lovely. He would not doubt that an heiress might be hidden away in one of the rooms.
The townhouse made his anger toward his brother bubble up. He should be living like this instead of cramped in that inn. His brother acted as though he were being so generous by allowing James just enough of an allowance to keep a room.
Footsteps marked the return of the doorman. Behind him came a rather confused Lord Easterly. James stood up and offered the man his hand. “Lord Easterly, I do not think we have been formally introduced. I am Lord Stanhope.”
Lord Easterly shook James' hand and James was genuinely surprised at the strength in the man’s hand. “Any relation to the Earl of Brunswick?”
“He is my brother,” James admitted, even if though pained him to do so. “I was wondering if I might call upon a lady of your house.”
Lord Easterly cleared his throat. “There is only one lady who resides here. Allow me to speak with her and I shall see if she is free.”
James did not relish waiting again, but he knew he was pushing his luck by showing up unannounced. The household was actually being quite accommodating and he assented to wait with a nod of his head.
Lord Easterly disappeared. James sat back down as the doorman took his place again within earshot of the door. Fortunately, Lord Easterly soon reappeared. “If you will follow me,” he said with impossible politeness.
James stood up. “Right behind you.”
He followed Lord Easterly down the hallway. James had never been so close to the man before and was surprised at how truly tall and imposing he was. He dwarfed James by a few inches, and James immediately decided that he should probably make a friend of Lord Easterly.
Lord Easterly led him to the conservatory, where he announced James as Lord Stanhope and then ushered him into the room. “This is my sister, Miss Easterly. I have other matters to attend to, but I have arranged suitable chaperones.”
James did not like the sound of that. He took in the room. A lovely lady whose blonde hair was a little darker than he expected waited for him while perched on the edge of a plush sofa. Lord Easterly left James to his fate, which seemed to include a couple of elderly women who sat nearby at a table where they could observe them from a discreet distance.
The name was wrong but perhaps she had gone by an alias for some reason. Did not people do that at times with those silly balls? Still, she did not look right for the lady he had danced with and he felt disappointment settle over him.
“Forgive me coming over like this,” James said to the young woman, who eyed him with open curiosity. She was a lovely thing. He tried to remember what the mask she had worn at the ball looked like so he could envision it on her but failed. “I was hoping that perhaps you were the lady I met at the ball last night.”
She pushed out her lips as if giving the matter some thought. “I do believe I would have remembered us becoming acquainted.”
Her voice sealed it for him, James knew it was not the same young lady. Yet, here he was, and she was of a nice respectable stature. “Oh well,” James said with a smile. “We are acquainted now. Let us make the best of it.”
Miss Easterly gave him a look over that James liked. She clearly was a young lady who knew what she wanted, and if he was not mistaken, he saw a bit of want in her eyes now. He gave her a smile that she returned, even if she did hide it a bit behind her hand for politeness.
