Page 3 of The Baron's Return
Amelia sighed. “Nothing, but I got the distinct impression something more was going on. I saw the way you watched him when he arrived. And I saw that his eyes passed over you completely. I thought…” She raised one shoulder. “I’m not sure what I thought. I fear I’ve misspoken. I know that Lord Cranston is very popular with the fairer sex. If you’ve asked Mary for an introduction, please ignore my misplaced warning. I’ve been told I have something of an overactive imagination.”
Abigail let out a small laugh. This woman was far too astute. She only hoped that no one else thought she was pining after the man. “No, you are correct. Gid—Lord Cranston and I knew each other once, many years ago. But it would seem he has no wish to renew the acquaintance.” She shook her head. “Perhaps it is better that I leave. I knew he’d be here and never should have come.”
“Nonsense,” Amelia said. “I will remain by your side until it is time to eat. If you no longer require my presence, you can just tell me that you see my husband looking for me.”
Abigail was amazed at this woman’s generosity when they were little more than acquaintances. “Why would you help me? I would have thought your loyalties would lie with your husband’s friends.”
Amelia tilted her head to one side. “Why must there be sides? He hasn’t asked me to choose, and I assume you’re not asking that of me either. But I won’t force you to stay if you wish to take your leave.”
Abigail couldn’t deny that she didn’t want to flee. Not when there was still a chance she’d be able to speak to Gideon again. His casual indifference to her presence had been a blow, but she would regret it more if she ran away now. Given the way they’d parted, she’d been a fool to think he would want to speak to her again. But that only meant she would have to try harder. There was too much at stake to give up now.
“I’d like to stay.”
“Then the matter is settled. Mary likes you a great deal, and since I’ve always known her to be the best judge of character, I’m sure we’ll soon become friends.”
Amelia threaded her arm through Abigail’s, and they made their way to the drawing room.
“Have you met Lord Ashford’s family?” Amelia asked, her voice a little too loud as they reentered the room. “Oh, I see his sister, Lady Benington, right there.”
Chapter 3
It was almost impossible to ignore Abigail’s presence, but Cranston did everything in his power to appear unaffected by her. He was careful to hide how he kept her in his periphery and tracked her movements. He would never again allow the woman to gain the upper hand.
Abigail had grown more beautiful over the years, and he hated that he wasn’t immune to her. He’d allowed himself to believe that when they met again, he’d feel only indifference for her. Instead, he couldn’t deny that he still wanted her.
He hadn’t expected the desire that threatened to undo his reserve when his eyes swept over her. A desire that refused to go away no matter whom he flirted with, and heaven knew there were a number of attractive women here. He’d been with a few of them, but none held Abigail’s appeal. Which meant that he must possess a previously undetected streak of masochism.
He was speaking to Lowenbrock when he saw the man’s wife step out of the room with Abigail. He barely held back a curse. How was it possible that his two closest friends were married to women who seemed intent on befriending the one woman in all of England he wanted to avoid?
When it was time to sit down for the wedding breakfast, he half expected to find that Ashford’s new wife had seated Abigail next to him. Fortunately he was spared that ordeal. Perhaps she’d taken Ashford’s warning about meddling in the affairs of others to heart after all.
At least he’d be free from Mary’s well-meaning interference soon. Ashford and his bride were leaving for Brighton tomorrow on their wedding trip. After that, they planned to return to Ashford’s country seat in Suffolk. They wouldn’t be in London again until Parliament was in session next year.
For the sake of propriety, he offered Abigail a polite nod as he passed her to take his seat. He wanted to ignore her altogether, but others would notice. He wouldn’t ruin Ashford’s wedding day by doing anything to cause a scandal.
Footmen set out platters of breakfast food along the center of the table. Many of the women gravitated straight to the cakes and other sweets. Cranston intended to enjoy them as well, but first he’d have his fill of the hot rolls, ham, and eggs. It appeared that most of the other men present were also starting with the heartier fare.
He had to grit his teeth when he heard the sound of Abigail’s laughter. It seemed a cruel twist of fate that he could still pick out the sound in a crowded room after all these years.
He might not be sitting next to the woman who had broken his heart, but she sat close enough that it was impossible to ignore her presence. She was speaking to Mary and Amelia with great animation.
He turned to the woman on his left. Ashford’s sister, Lady Benington. He kept his dalliances to widows or mature, unattached women who wouldn’t expect marriage, but that didn’t mean he was above flirting with a married woman.
Lord Benington slung an arm around his wife’s shoulders, and Cranston barely held back a smirk at the man’s not-too-subtle reminder that the woman with whom he was attempting to distract himself was already married. He needn’t have bothered. Cranston had never knowingly slept with a married woman.
Lord Benington met his gaze. “Do you have any plans to return to the country? We’ll be departing soon ourselves.”
No doubt the same could be said for most of the people here, many of whom were still in town because they wanted to wish Ashford well. London would be emptying out soon.
“I have no immediate plans,” he said before taking a healthy swallow of coffee.
Most of the guests were drinking either tea or chocolate, but he’d developed a taste for coffee during his time at war, as had Ashford and Lowenbrock. He knew the marquess would be staying in London for a few weeks. But before the summer was over, he’d be heading north to Yorkshire.
Lord Benington continued. “And you, Lady Holbrook? Will you be remaining in London?”
He stiffened at the question and turned to look at her. He couldn’t help but wonder why the man would single out Abigail.
She met his gaze before looking away quickly and bestowing a smile on Lord Benington. “I’ve taken up residence here in London. I have no plans to return to the country.”
