“He was always the center of activity. At school, London. I am surprised he stays here during the summer months as much as he does. But then he brings the party to him, of course.”
“’Tis a shame his Lordship is hosting guests,” Lucy whispered to Althea, “as today is a more lucid one. He so values those.”
Althea sighed at the new twist. The light-hearted party host was a caring son. She still wasn’t going to give him control over her business, but it was nice to know he was a good man, particularly after she’d allowed such liberties.
A cup of tea later, they departed. As Althea began to climb into the carriage after her cousin, she spied a tall figure walking toward them on the path from the house.
Evan!
Not ready to face him, she scrambled up.
“Althea! Wait.”
Ignoring her host’s call, she turned to her driver as he placed the step inside and closed the door. “Please, John, let us be off. We have a long day of travel ahead. Do not wait for his lordship.”
Beth gasped next to her, and the coachman looked uncomfortable but climbed to his seat.
But before he could pick up the reins, Evan was at the carriage door, opening it.
He isn’t even out of breath, the fit bastard.
She sighed.
Beth stayed silent.
Althea ground her teeth.Of all the times for my loquacious cousin to have nothing to say.
“Althea. I understand from my staff that you are leaving? And Beth.” He nodded to each woman as he addressed them.
“Yes. Thank you for a lovely party, but we must get back. I have a business to run, as you know.” Althea plucked at her skirt and avoided his eyes.
“Ah, but given our”—he paused, glancing at Beth—“conversation last night, I planned to help you, as we agreed.”
Althea could feel Beth’s questioning gaze on her.
Ignoring her cousin for the moment, she finally met Evan’s eyes. “That is very gracious of you, my lord, but I fear I must decline.”
His mouth quirked down. “I am disappointed in you, Althea. A good businesswoman would never turn down free advice. Very well, then. Enjoy your trip, and ’twas lovely to have you here. I shall be back in London in a fortnight, should you change your mind.”
Beth finally found her voice. “I shall send word of the ladies I have in mind to relieve Lucy. And Cheltie, do thank Robert for his hospitality.” She winked.
Althea sighed again.
****
Damnation. Apparently, he had not been gentle enough in his introduction, and he’d scared the lovely business owner away. He’d been ready to play private games the remainder of the week if it provided the opportunity to see her achieve that sexual pinnacle again. Although he guessed she’d have run no matter how slowly he’d progressed. He just wished he knew why. A dalliance would have been brilliant between them, with no illusions of marriage to mar it.
Ignoring his guests, Evan knocked on the dower house door, wanting a few moments to visit with his mother before returning to the party.
“Mama? Lucy? How are you ladies today?” As was his custom, he opened the door to the dower house without waiting for his knock to be answered.
“We are back here in the conservatory, Lord Cheltenham.”
“Ah, excellent. Such a shame the weather has been so terrible this year.” He walked through the double doors from the parlor into the greenhouse-like conservatory.
“Lady Rose doesn’t mind the chill or the gray. You know she likes to watch the goings on up at the manor.” Lucy gestured toward the view of the house out the large windows.
Evan’s gaze shifted from the nurse to his mother, who sat in a comfortable wing chair, facing out. Knitting lay across her lap, her hands loose on the needles.
