Page 18 of Her Notorious Rake
Adelaide grasped her son’s arm. “I could not help but note that you danced not once, buttwicewith that sweet Miss Hayesworth we met at dinner.”
From his corner of the coach, Ernest studied Dalton’s expression. In the flickering moonlight slanting in through the window, he watched his nephew lower his eyes to the floor, his mouth twitching with a foolish smile.
“She is a very kind girl,” Celeste spoke up, gratingly blithe. “Very sweet temperament.”
“Very,” exclaimed Adelaide.
If only you were aware that your beloved,modelson is wiling his life away at gentlemen’s clubs. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had his own courtesan somewhere. Sapping the estate of everything it could be, of everything I could make it.
Ernest ground his teeth, drumming his fingers over the head of his cane and pursing his lips.
“Tasted something gone bad, Uncle?” Dalton was eyeing him, that infuriatingly sardonic smile replacing his dreamy one. He could never seem to speak to Ernest without that edge of derision lacing each word.
He knows. The thought was lightning quick across Ernest’s mind, and he shook it away, a chill going down his spine. “Well, I must confess I was rather disconcerted by the state of the repast this evening. The Dunnes continually present themselves as ardent epicures, yet their offerings were decidedly lacking inboth substance and finesse.”
Adelaide let out a soft laugh that was more polite than anything.
Celeste shook her head, her golden curls glinting. “I found the pudding delectable, Uncle. I wouldn’t call it wanting.”
Ernest patted his niece’s gloved arm, flashing his nephew a pointed smile. “How very agreeable of you to observe, my dear. Finishing school becomes you.”
Celeste’s laughter died away, but Ernest didn’t regret his bluntness. She ought to remember not to take her education for granted. It had certainly cost a pretty penny of the estate. And he would see to it that her finishing paid off.
If anything he had witnessed this evening had demonstrated something, it was that he could not squander another moment in hesitation. He would speak to Celeste in private as soon as they reached the Blakemore estate.
At last, the coach rolled to a stop, and once inside, Ernest ushered Celeste into the library. As much as he’d like to watch his nephew sneak out to gallivant about London, he needed to enlighten his cousin’s daughter on his designs for the future.
“Is something amiss, Uncle?” Celeste frowned as he firmly led her to a dark alcove in the stately library.
He held a finger to his lips. “I must address a matter of considerable weight, my dear, and I beg you not to interrupt until I’ve finished.”
Celeste’s eyes widened, and she drew back, her lips parting in an apprehensive gasp. “Of course, Uncle,” she whispered.
“Now, this is a delicate matter, so let this remain between us. I trust that you have noticed your cousin’s…poor spirits…since you returned?”
“Lord Blakemore…poor spirits? Why, this evening he seemed much improved. He and Miss Hayesworth appeared most affable with one another. In fact, he smiled a great deal inher company. Aunt seems very pleased.”
Ernest tutted at Celeste. “Let me finish,” he held up a hand. “It is all aruse, dear Celeste. You must know that, surely. His mother is…how shall we say this…contriving this little flirtation between Miss Hayesworth and your distant cousin. She is of the mind, I am certain, that you and your cousin would make a sublime pair.”
Celeste’s eyes went round now, her cheeks turning pink. “Cousin Dalton? And I?”
“Now, hush, and let me finish. You and Dalton would be anidealmatch. You and he are quite cordial, are you not? He is handsome, you are sweet and lovely. The two of you would take the city by storm, undoubtedly.”
“But Uncle—” Ernest held a finger to his niece’s mouth.
“Ah, ah, ah. Aside from the perfection of a union between you and my nephew, it would also secure you—and I—a place in the Blakemore estate. Otherwise, we will be presently compelled to decamp to a hovel.”
“Hovel,” Celeste echoed, her voice small, full of horror. She shuddered. Ever since her father died his cousin Ernest was the one taking care of her and that meant that her life depended on him.
“I do not mean to distress you. But these are simply the facts of the matter. Should your cousin marry some other eligible girl on the marriage mart, we shall be at the mercy of other, less prosperous relations.”
“But Uncle—I should hate to impose upon any sort of courtship between Cousin and Miss—”
“I beg you not to utter her name. And to listen,” Ernest snapped. “There is nothing between them. It is naught but a ruse. Dalton and you would make a handsome pair, no doubt of it.”
“And I beg you not to mortify your aunt by speaking of it. Lether play her game and do your best to play along. Before long, you shall have Lord Blakemore seeking every minute you can afford him.
“Cousin and I.Lord Blakemoreand I.” Celeste hummed thoughtfully to herself for a moment. Her expression was dazed, and he could see it all fall into place. Flattered intrigue. Exhilaration. As he had expected.
