Page 3 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
Miles lurched a little, quickly steadying himself. He felt pleasantly tipsy; it was enough to get him through what was sure to be a long and wearisome evening. In the distance, he saw two young ladies approaching them, fashionably dressed, with parasols aloft, even though it was almost five o’clock and the sun was not in appearance at all.
“Which do you prefer, brother,” he whispered, not breaking his stride. “The blonde, or the brunette?”
Andrew grinned. “You know that I always prefer brunettes, little brother. I will take pity on you and let you monopolise the little blonde, if you like.”
They were almost to the ladies, who were gazing at them with wide eyes. The two brothers slowed down a little, indicating their willingness to talk.
“Why, you are Lord Comerford,” squeaked the blonde, staring directly at Andrew. “I met you at the opera just the other night.” She curtseyed deeply, and the other lady followed her lead. “It is an honour, Your Grace.”
Andrew bowed, clearing his throat. “I think that I may remember you. Miss Davidson, from Exeter, is it not?”
The blonde lady blushed. “Indeed it is, Your Grace. I am thrilled that you remember me. And this is Miss Hart, my dear friend. She was at the opera as well.”
Andrew bowed again. “Miss Hart. It is a pleasure.”
Miss Hart laughed merrily. Miles noticed her blue eyes were shining brightly, gazing directly at his brother. Miss Davidson was gazing in rapture at his brother too. They had barely even glanced in his own direction. But then, he was used to it. It was always the same when Andrew was with him. The lustre of his title blinded young women to anything, or anyone, else.
Andrew introduced him to the ladies, who nodded politely to him, but straight away went back to talking to the Duke. Eventually Miles grew bored, gazing off down the street. The ladies were laughing and dimpling, flirting up a storm, and he could see that Andrew was not immune to it.
He studied his brother covertly. He was a handsome enough man, of two and thirty, with straight brown hair and hazel eyes. Andrew was also charming, witty and agreeable. But it was not any of those things which were so entrancing these two young ladies. He could have been portly and staid, and they would still have been hanging off his every word.
Eventually the two young ladies drifted off, down the street, and they resumed walking. Andrew had a slight grin on his face.
“You look like a monkey,” teased Miles, gazing at his brother. “Those two young ladies were not entranced byyou, big brother. It is just your title, and you know it.”
Andrew’s grin widened. “Jealous, Miles? I guess some of us just have it, and others do not. Poor you!”
Miles laughed. “Brother, it is ridiculous how they throw themselves at you, just because you were born first with a better title!”
He expected Andrew to laugh with him, but his brother suddenly looked uncharacteristically sombre. He abruptly stopped walking, staring at Miles, as if something momentous had just occurred to him.
“I am tired of it all, Miles,” he said simply. “I am tired of the scene, and the circuit, and a hundred young women throwing themselves at me because ofwhatI am, notwhoI am.” He paused. “I would really like to settle down. I want to find a woman to marry, at long last. A woman who appreciates me.”
Miles stared at him as if he had just started to sprout gibberish. To say that he was surprised was putting it mildly. Andrew had always revelled in his bachelorhood, claiming that he enjoyed his freedom.
“How long have you been thinking along these lines?” he asked quietly.
Andrew sighed. “A while now, I suppose. Long enough that I have become quite fixated on the idea.” He paused. “I am going to throw a ball, Miles. A ball to attract all the eligible young ladies, with a view to perhaps finding my soulmate.”
Miles stared at him. “Like Prince Charming in Cinderella? I only hope that the one who catches your eye does not turn into a pumpkin by midnight.”
Andrew smiled faintly. “You can tease me all you like, but I am deadly serious, brother. I am in my thirties now, and bachelorhood has started to pale. What better idea than to cast out a net and try to catch as many lovely young ladies as there are in London for the season?” He paused. “I hope to find my future wife there.”
Miles slowly started laughing. “You can have any woman you choose, brother.”
Andrew frowned. “The young ladies do not like mejustbecause of my title, Miles.”
Miles grinned. “I think you are wrong, brother. Do you think that you are extremely better looking than me, or intrinsically more charming?”
Andrew grinned back. “I could say yes, but to be fair, not really…”
“Exactly.” Miles was nodding. “Therefore, it is the title. Miss Davidson and Miss Hart just proved it. They barely glanced at me sideways, while they were eating out of your hand…”
Andrew laughed. “No, no, you have it all wrong…”
“Do I?” Miles grinned again. “How about we not only prove the point, but we drive it home? What say you that Ipretendto be you, to any young lady who does not know you from Adam, in the time between now and your ball?” He paused dramatically. “Let us see how many fall atmyfeet, then.”
Andrew’s eyes lit up. “A wager? Would you do it for coin?”
