Page 19 of Lady, Behave
“Sad, really.” Cass continued.
To which Laurel nodded.
“He’s only thirty-one.”
Laurel sent Addy a squinty-eyed grimace and ran a finger across her wrist. Laurel had heard that Warble’s two wives died in the country soon after each lady had birthed a baby.
“But poor Warbleton needs an heir. Two daughters will not do the trick for him.”
Worse, Laurel had remarked yesterday that the fellow had breathed upon her and nearly blew her over with his bad breath.
Laurel leaned close now to whisper to her, “Help me stay far away, please.”
“Of course,” Addy said as her gaze swept the dock. Lord Hewett and the Duke of Lonsdale emerged from their own carriages.
If fate had in store for Addy any surprises soon, one fact she knew for certain. “We’ll rescue each other today.”
Words, however, were weak swords against the onslaught of rivalrous men.
Lord Hewett took to Addy as soon as the yacht sailed out to sea. The currents coming through the Channel to Cowes were choppy today, and Addy made the excuse to him that she had to seek the quiet shelter of the ladies’ saloon aft. Comfortable and cool there, she sat talking with two ladies when Lord Warble, of all people, insinuated himself into the group. Displeased that he occupied a coveted chair meant for a woman, Addy fumed when he brought her a glass of white wine, and in effect, shooed her two friends away.
“You are so popular, Miss Adelaide,” Warble said. “No wonder with your lively manner.”
She didn’t like to drink on board and put the glass aside. His compliment rang an alarm in her head. What had happened to his fascination for Laurel? But then, her sister could burn a man’s ears, revealing her true feelings. “Kind of you to say, sir.”
“I wonder if you like children.”
“Children. I do. Very much. It’s my understanding you have two, sir.”
“Fine little girls.” He inched closer and Addy, in self-defense, sat back. Even the wind off the sea could not wipe away evidence of his lack of tooth powder. “I’ve hired a fine nanny and new governess for them. They live in the country, of course. London is too hectic for a child’s constitution.”
And what of a wife’s? Is a woman’s constitution too weak for the town?
“Do you like England?” he asked, much too gaily.
Oh, no.He was wooing her? How had this fellow gotten the impression that he could court Addy since Laurel did not take his bait?
“Very much, sir. I enjoyed London and would favor living there more than any rustic backwater.” She had no idea where Warble had his estate, but she would never give him cause to think she’d go anywhere with him.
“How wonderful!” The devilish gleam in his grey eyes told her he lied. “I seek to make a complete family for my daughters.”
“A worthy goal, my lord.”
“I must do it soon.”
“Really? Why is that?” Did he simply wish to have a son soon, or was he yearning to have his needs serviced?
“The two little ones pine for a woman to cuddle them.”
“I’m sure they do, sir. Children need all the cuddles they can get.”
“Exactly my thought, Miss Adelaide. I do wonder if I may call on you.”
Direct, and foolishly so. “I doubt that, sir.”
Surprised, he blinked and covered his dismay. “Do you always speak so bluntly?”
“To questions such as that, yes.”
