Page 12 of Courting the Earl
The Earl of Stanley sauntered into the room then, and Geoffrey’s eyes narrowed on the man. He’d been at the Clarington ball yesterday and the germ of an idea began to form.
“Stanley,” he called out when it looked like he was about to join the group by the window.
The man turned toward him and nodded a greeting before joining them.
Geoffrey introduced him to Holbrook and then examined him as the earl dropped into an armchair. They were the same age and had been classmates at Cambridge. He was a nice enough fellow, but he had a competitive streak that could make him a little hard to take at times.
His father was a marquess, however, and Geoffrey had heard that the man exerted a great deal of pressure on his son to ensure he was the best at everything. For some reason, Stanley thrived under that pressure.
Holbrook smiled at the man. “So how long have you known Hargrove here? Do you have any embarrassing stories to share about him?”
Geoffrey scowled but Stanley laughed. “More than a few since we were classmates, but I daresay he could say the same about me. I think I’ll save my storytelling for a time when he can’t embarrass me as well.”
Holbrook frowned. “That’s too bad. I’ll have to seek you out another time then.”
Stanley leaned back in his chair and examined the two of them. “What are you fellows up to today? I think I saw you both at Clarington’s ball last night.”
Geoffrey nodded. “We were there. We were just talking about how it might be time to seek out brides.”
Holbrook’s eyes widened a fraction at the falsehood, but he didn’t deny the statement. Good man.
Stanley examined him, and Geoffrey could see exactly what he was thinking. “Who did you have in mind?”
He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. He hoped his meager acting abilities would be enough to carry this charade. “My father was good friends with Appleby. I think he always hoped for a match between me and the man’s daughter.”
Most of his classmates were aware that he wasn’t fond of his father, so he added, “I’ve never been one to fall in line with his plans, but after meeting the young woman, I think I can make an exception in this case.”
Stanley was almost unnaturally still. Finally he said, “I danced with Miss Pearson myself last night.”
“Did you?” In truth, Geoffrey hadn’t bothered to keep track of all the men who’d danced with Lydia. He hadn’t really cared. But now he did.
“Yes. In fact, I’m going to be calling on her later today.”
Holbrook chuckled. “You and every other eligible bachelor in town.”
Geoffrey watched the man carefully as he said, “I was going to call on her myself.”
He didn’t want to, but Appleby would expect it, especially after he’d danced with his daughter yesterday. Still, if he could stoke this man’s competitive streak, the visit would be worth it.
Stanley stiffened. His eyes had narrowed, and Geoffrey had to force himself not to grin. The earl didn’t like to lose. He would marry Lydia to best a rival. It helped that Miss Pearson was already being called the diamond of the season.
Stanley stood, clearly wanting to get going on his new mission in life—besting Geoffrey at winning the lovely Lydia Pearson’s hand.
“I’d planned to meet some friends in the billiard room and I’m running late. But I’ll be seeing you at the Appleby town house later.”
Stanley took his leave with a small bow. Geoffrey could no longer hide his grin as he watched the man stride away as though the room were on fire.
Holbrook waited until Stanley had exited the morning room before speaking. “You are an evil genius.”
Geoffrey laughed. “It was too easy. The man hates to lose. And when the prize is someone as sought after as Miss Pearson…” He shrugged. “Thank goodness Stanley hasn’t changed. He was always such a nuisance.”
“And you have no qualms about siccing him on Miss Pearson?”
Geoffrey shrugged again. “Aside from his drive to always come out on top, he’s a nice enough fellow. I’ve never heard anyone speak ill of him. He’ll make Lydia the perfect husband.”
“And he’ll be a marquess one day. Do they have money?”
He nodded. “An obscene amount of it. Appleby would be a fool to turn him down just so he could insist on moving forward with a match between his daughter and me.”
