Page 7 of Courting the Earl
Geoffrey blew out a harsh breath. Was this why Cranston had asked Holbrook to approach him this evening? Yes, rumors were swirling about Abigail and her daughter, Gemma. His niece had Cranston’s eyes. Anyone who met the girl knew immediately that her current husband was her biological father.
There had been much speculation about whether she’d knowingly tried to pass another man’s child off as belonging to her deceased husband, the former Viscount Holbrook. Of course, many knew that Baron Cranston had been serving in the army for years and had only recently given up his commission.
Gossip seemed to be split evenly. Men tended to believe Abigail had been willfully dishonest in the whole matter and had deceived her first husband. Women, on the other hand, believed she’d had no choice but to marry someone else when she’d found herself with child after the father had gone off to join the army.
The worst of the speculation was quashed when Cranston’s friends had given their unconditional support to the couple after they married. While Cranston might have been away from England for nearly a decade, he’d somehow acquired quite a few friends in high places. Men most of society didn’t want to offend.
So while the rumors had all but abated, that wouldn’t remain the case if Geoffrey caused another scandal while attempting to get out of this infernal betrothal.
“Society has never been fair to women. My sister has suffered enough, and I won’t do anything to endanger the peace she’s found.”
He became aware of a hush that had fallen over the ballroom and turned to look at the entrance. He shouldn’t have been surprised to find none other than Lydia Pearson standing there, surrounded by her family. Her parents were grinning, basking in the way everyone seemed to be taken with their daughter. Lydia’s introduction to society was going just as they’d expected.
He inclined his head toward the entrance. “They’re here now.”
Holbrook turned to take in the spectacle. Mercifully, he kept his voice low when he spoke. “Your future wife is definitely beautiful. Everyone is staring at her as though no one else exists.”
Geoffrey’s eyes moved over the crowd, and he realized the man wasn’t exaggerating. Conversation had started again, but gazes were following the family.
He watched as Lord Appleby whispered in his wife’s ear before breaking away to join another group of men. When they turned to one of the exits as a group, Geoffrey wanted to groan. So much for escaping to the card room at some point. The last thing he wanted was another lecture from Appleby about how he should be following the man’s daughter around like a stray looking for a new owner.
Lady Appleby led her two charges toward a group of women. When he glanced at Holbrook again, he was still watching the women with interest.
“Did Cranston tell you that the betrothal can be broken if both parties are in agreement?”
Holbrook nodded. “He mentioned something to that effect. That’s why he’s worried you’ll try to cause a scandal and force their hand.”
Geoffrey frowned. “It’s comforting that my brother-in-law considers me such a reprobate and believes I’ll act without any consideration about how it will impact my sister.”
Holbrook clapped him on the shoulder. “Cranston is being overprotective. Plus he doesn’t really know you.”
Geoffrey lifted one brow. “And you do?”
Holbrook grinned. “Not yet, no. But we can remedy that. Become allies.”
He examined the viscount. He imagined that as a great nephew to the previous viscount, Holbrook hadn’t expected to inherit the title. Still, the man was an easygoing fellow and people seemed to like him. He couldn’t imagine he was in desperate need of allies or friends.
Unless… “You have my permission to try to lure Miss Pearson away. She’s a beautiful young woman, and I understand your interest.”
Holbrook barked out a surprised laugh. “I’m in no hurry to wed, but that was a good attempt on your part. Still, I could be tempted to get to know the older Miss Pearson better.”
Geoffrey turned to examine the woman in question. Eleanor Pearson. He’d scarce noticed her during that first meeting when all he’d wanted was to escape that drawing room and all the women’s expectant stares. But he was definitely noticing her now, and he realized Holbrook was correct.
It was impossible to miss how much her appearance had improved, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d purposely dressed in an unflattering manner that morning. She’d been stiff, wearing an awful gown that had made her skin appear sallow. He’d actually thought she was much older than her cousin. Watching her now as she laughed at something Lydia said, he realized she was much closer to his own age.
She was actually very attractive. She didn’t possess the delicate beauty of her cousin. No, Eleanor Pearson’s beauty was very different but nonetheless undeniable. There was something earthy about her with her dark hair and dark eyes. She was tall, towering over her petite cousin. And her age might allow her a measure of freedom that her younger cousin wouldn’t have.
Eleanor Pearson might very well be a woman worth getting to know better. But her intimate acquaintance with his betrothed—how he hated that word—meant that Geoffrey would never be able to get to know her intimately. Still, she might become something of an ally. Maybe he could elicit her assistance in convincing Lydia to consider ending the betrothal and marrying someone else.
He circled the room for the next hour, unwilling to fall into the role assigned to him by his father and Appleby. And he certainly wasn’t going to be one of the crowd of men, both young and old, who were clamoring for a space on Lydia Pearson’s dance card. If she wanted to dance with him, she would save a dance. If not, he wouldn’t mourn the loss of the opportunity.
He could feel Lady Appleby’s eyes on him as he greeted his brother-in-law’s close friends, the Marquess of Lowenbrock and Viscount Ashford. Both men hadn’t abandoned their wives as Lord Appleby had done, and it seemed that they, too, were happily married.
That fact had surprised him when Cranston assured him it was possible to marry for love. Geoffrey knew that most marriages made among the ton followed the pattern his father had set for both his betrothal and his sister’s first marriage.
He spent some time speaking to several of the acquaintances he’d made during his weeks in London. Some he knew from his time in school, and some he’d met at White’s. He avoided the men his father had considered friends, however. He had no desire to be reminded of the man.
During that hour, he watched what was happening with Lydia and Eleanor. Lady Appleby had abandoned the pair soon after their arrival and had spent the time glaring at him and gossiping with a group of older women.
