Page 20 of An Earl Like You
“Down there?” exclaimed Miss Cross. “Is it as boisterous as it looks? I don’t know how anyone could hear the singers.”
“It is a bit boisterous,” he admitted with a grin and a wink. “But I was too late to secure a seat in the stalls.”
“Poor planning,” said Edward Cross, shaking his finger. “I hope it’s not your habit.”
There was a warning in that. Hugh looked right at the man. “Normally I plan quite carefully. There are times, though, when circumstances change rather abruptly and one must adjust plans to suit them.”
Cross gave his faint smile. “How fortunate that you are so agile in your thinking.”
“One must be,” returned Hugh, “given the manipulations of Fate.”
“I don’t know about the manipulations of Fate,” said Miss Cross, sounding determinedly pleasant. Hugh realized his exchange with her father had turned tense very quickly. “But you are very welcome to join us in our box, sir. It’s quite large and comfortable.”
He affected surprise. “Are you certain? Is no one else joining you?”
“No.” She gave her father an exasperated glance. “Speaking of poor planning, Papa did not tell me he had taken a box until this morning, and there wasn’t time to invite anyone.”
“And so I have had you to myself,” the man answered, unrepentant.
She threw up her hands, but with a smile. “Lord Hastings, I hope you will join us.”
“Thank you, Miss Cross. I would be delighted.” He turned to her father, hating the man for the satisfied expression he wore. Cross had schemed to keep other guests from the box, just as he’d schemed for Hugh to find them here. “I wonder if I might have a word, sir?”
Cross got up and followed him to the rear of the box. Miss Cross resumed her seat and rested her hands on the rail, leaning forward to study the crowd. Hugh couldn’t help noticing the smooth curve of her neck and shoulders, bare except for a string of flawless pearls. Her pink gown was exactly right for an unmarried young lady, but made of finest silk and lace. She had excellent taste, he admitted. Many women with Cross’s vast fortune at their disposal wouldn’t be able to resist every expensive adornment in London.
“Well done, Hastings,” said Cross in a low voice. “I understand you called on her the other day.”
Hugh’s mouth tightened. “No, sir, I called uponyou. You were out. It would be improper for me to call upon a young lady alone.”
“Right.” Cross looked amused. “The rules of your game.”
God save him. Hugh breathed deeply. “The rules of society, yes. Would you want thetonto think your daughter is a loose woman, given how determined you are to see her made part of it?” Without waiting for an answer, he asked the real question. “What is the nature of our fictitious business relationship? Your daughter asked and I will have to tell her something at some point.”
Cross’s eyes had narrowed at the reproof. Now he looked contemptuous. “You have an estate in Cornwall. Quite a large one, too. Tell her you suspect there’s a vein of ore beneath your land. I made a pretty fortune off tin and copper from Cornish mines.”
Hugh stiffened in fury at the thought of Cross digging mines in the grounds of Rosemere, the estate his father had rebuilt and renamed in honor of his mother. He’d rather be sent to the Fleet than allow that.
But no, it did not matter what excuse he gave. Cross wasn’t going to dig up Rosemere, and Miss Cross would never have to know. “As you say.”
“Ride out to call as often as you want.” Cross’s eyes gleamed in the dim box. “I’m usually away from home before dinner.”
When he could see Miss Cross alone. Hugh jerked his head in acknowledgment.
Cross nodded once, then turned back to his daughter. “Eliza, would you like some lemonade or ratafia?”
“Thank you, Papa, please.” She turned her head to smile at him, and in that moment she looked rather lovely. With her face lit by affection and happiness, she wasn’t actually plain, Hugh realized. Her face was unremarkable, true, but there was a brightness and an animation to her tonight, some spark that made her arresting.
Cross left without asking if Hugh wanted any wine, and he went to take the seat beside her. “Thank you for inviting me to join you.”
The pulse throbbed nervously at the base of her throat, but her smile was warm and steady. “Of course. Usually Papa gives me leave to invite friends when he takes a box.”
Hugh let his voice drop. “I take it as an honor to be invited, then.”
The corners of her mouth quivered, and she blinked as if startled. “Oh—well—” Color suddenly roared up her face. “That is, I did not mean to presume, my lord—”
“I know.” He made the smallest touch on her gloved hand. “I could see the offer was made only out of kindness. Although... I would count it an honor to be called your friend.”
Her eyes were perfectly round. They were not green, he realized; more of a hazel, with some gold and brown mixed in. Her lashes were long, thick and dark, and she looked almost shocked, staring at him.
