Page 10 of Courting the Earl
His gaze was steady on hers, and she could tell he was speaking the truth. Her mouth dropped open, but then she snapped it closed.
“You don’t wish to wed at all?”
He shrugged as he swept them past a dancing pair who almost stumbled into them. “I suppose I’ll marry one day. It was quite a shock to learn it would be quite so soon.”
She could only stare at him. “I don’t understand. Surely your father would have told you about the betrothal.”
His lips twisted to the side in a wry grimace. “I see you are unaware of what happens in far too many families. Your uncle’s behavior is very unusual. He’s taking his daughter’s preferences in mind and allowing her a measure of freedom this season merely because she wishes it. My father, on the other hand, saw no need to consult me when he made this arrangement.”
Surely she wasn’t hearing him correctly. “It’s my understanding that it’s been in place for several years.”
“And I learned about it on his deathbed.”
She felt a flash of sympathy for the man. She knew that women were often given away in marriage agreements that would see them doomed to an unhappy life. But she’d never imagined that the same could be true for men.
She could understand now why he didn’t seem affected by Lydia’s beauty. He didn’t wish to wed. It wouldn’t matter who the woman was when he was being forced into the arrangement. And to learn of it just before coming into his title, when he no doubt expected to enjoy years of freedom, must have been a bitter blow.
Still, if he was going to be forced to wed, at least his father had made an excellent match. “I can assure you that you will be very happy with my cousin.”
His eyes roamed over her face. “Perhaps. But it is entirely possible that she might find someone more to her liking this season.”
She smiled sympathetically, understanding his fears, and sought to reassure him. “I can be an ally for you. I will let Lydia know that you have behaved quite pleasantly with me. And that my impressions of you are positive. I can urge her to give you serious consideration. Even if you are quite old.”
She’d hoped to elicit a laugh from him. Instead, his mouth curved to the side as though she’d said something wrong.
“Please don’t.”
She didn’t know what to say to that. The silence stretched between them, and as time passed, she grew more uncomfortable. But she couldn’t think of anything to say that would ease the tension.
It didn’t help that Hargrove was staring down at her as though he was trying to read her mind. Finally the music swelled and he executed a complicated turn. If he’d been a less competent partner, she would have found herself spinning into another couple. Instead, he pulled her back into his arms.
She let out a small huff of laughter. “When our dance instructor tried to show me how to do that, I ended up spinning into the wall.”
“He must not have been very good. You’re doing very well now.”
He was being generous, but it wouldn’t be polite to enter into an argument on the subject. “I have an excellent partner.”
He pulled her an inch closer, and her breath hitched in her throat. “I won’t let you stumble, Miss Pearson.”
Something about the low timbre of his voice, the way his eyes narrowed on her lips when she licked them, had her heart doing an odd little flip. Which was a disastrous reaction to have to the man her cousin was going to marry.
“My cousin loves to dance,” she blurted out. “I hope the supper dance is also a waltz so the two of you can begin to get to know one another better.”
He didn’t reply, but he did increase the space between them. A small, selfish part of her soul was displeased at the growing distance—both physical and emotional—that had come about as a result of her words. But they both needed a reminder that even though he might not wish it, he was going to marry Lydia.
Chapter 6
Geoffrey strolled into White’s around noon. He wouldn’t have bothered, but Holbrook had let him know he’d be there this morning. And Geoffrey needed someone with whom to discuss his current dilemma. Someone who wasn’t Abigail. He couldn’t burden her with this anymore when there wasn’t anything she could do about the matter. She’d already suffered under Father’s dictates. It was up to him to get himself through this.
He spotted Holbrook chatting with a group of men who were ensconced by the club’s famous bow window. Before Geoffrey could join them, Holbrook spotted him. He said something to the group and came to join him.
They met by the fireplace and settled into armchairs.
Holbrook leaned back in his chair and examined him. “I see you finally rolled out of bed.”
He shrugged, refusing to apologize. They both knew that most of the ton were still abed. “It was a late night. How about you? I didn’t see you leave.”
Holbrook grinned. “I disappeared into the card room. Your future father-in-law was there all night. He’s a shrewd card player, never wagering more than he could afford to lose. And he won more often than not.”
