If she only knew.
She cocked her head, narrowing her eyes at him. He could almost see the wheels turning in her brain. After an elongated pause, she said, “A new nurse for your mother.”
Evan froze, his swinging leg stilling, and stared at her without so much as a blink.
How inhelldid she find out about my mother, much less her need for a nurse?
Ready to throw her out all over again, he leaned forward slowly and dipped his chin.
“Friend of Penelope or not, I’ll thank you to keep your thoughts of my mother to yourself,” he hissed out through gritted teeth.
Beth’s head retracted again. “My lord, I beg your pardon. I meant no offense. Your mother is darling. I so enjoyed having a cup of tea with her when I happened on her cottage the other day. And Lucy mentioned that she needs to return home to care for her own mama now but is waiting for you to find someone.”
His jaw was still clenched. Network or no, this was not acceptable. “I have no idea what inspired my staff to share confidences with you, but my mother is not to be discussed with anyone else, either here at the party or beyond, including Penelope.”
“Lord Cheltenham.” Beth straightened in her chair and reverted to his formal title, her voice stilted. “I would never do such a thing. When I search for servants to help friends and acquaintances, I do not use names until I have ascertained a fit. I use only general characteristics of the persons and situation. Have you ever heard word of me being a gossip?”
“No,” he said slowly, running through what he knew of her in his mind. “But I have heard stories of your ability to bring people together. I just assumed…” He grimaced.
“Ah. Well, please do not. I assure you I will be the soul of discretion. The rest of your information was correct, however. I am quite good at finding people who fit together well. And I have one or two in mind that might work for your sweet mama. I need to ask them a few questions about past service. I shall send you a note as soon as I have done that upon our return to London. The rest will be up to you. Do we have a deal?”
Evan glared at her.
She seemed impervious, returning his gaze calmly.
You just finished admiring her people skills when she was in the hall. Likening her to yourself, even. Do you not want the best network available to match a nurse to your mother’s needs?
He relaxed a fraction, then nodded once to himself. He’d be a fool not to take advantage of this opportunity. A few minutes of his time for a well-suited nurse in a fraction of the time it would take him?
He stood. “Yes.”
“Thank you, Cheltie. You shan’t be sorry.” Beth practically skipped to the door. “When shall I send Althea?”
“Tonight. Bring her to this room an hour before the dinner bell.”
Hell’s bells, he hoped it was an innocuous request, one he could easily accept or deny with impunity.
Beth’s reference to his mother had stolen his focus, but after she left, he had a new thought.
I’ll have a chance to start peeling back the layers of Lady Egerton in a few hours.
Chapter Three
Evan had watched Althea as often as his duties as host allowed since she had arrived at Greenborough Park.
The first night’s dinner had been tedious, trying to catch her words from the length of the massive table and beneath the guise of listening to the guests seated closest to him as they fawned over him. Social etiquette precluded him from seating her closer, given her title and status as new to this party.
After dinner, Evan had prowled the edges of the two ballrooms. Engrossed in their own groups and games, guests did not notice. When Althea had followed Beth into the card room, Evan had perked up, wondering which game they would play or if they’d only mingle.
Given their choice, he’d anticipated seeing more of Althea’s lovely alabaster skin. But game after game, the gentlemen at the table discarded clothing while the ladies remained cool and composed. Beth clearly deferred to her cousin in the betting, and Althea barely blinked. She’d known the game was a sure thing, and Evan’s interest turned to disappointment at her lack of adventurousness.
Tonight, he had a bargaining chip of his own to wield.
He did his best to tamp down his annoyance at Beth’s request. Much as he loved Penelope—platonically, of course—he did not appreciate the interference in his finances. Oh, he had no doubt that Michael trusted Pen, and he deferred to Michael’s choices. But for himself? With so much at stake? No, thank you.
He had hoped that Althea would be different. Why, he wasn’t sure. He had no plans for anything more than a brief dalliance. But when he’d learned she was looking for money, his bitterness returned. Of course she was. Wasn’t everyone who requested an audience?
Unsure if the vexation was directed at himself or her, he decided it did not matter. He’d hear her out, evaluate the opportunity as he would any other, and invest or not. He should decide that quickly though. It was never a good idea to mix business and pleasure, and he still planned to pursue her while she was here. She could not betooreserved if she lived with Beth, after all, and he was sure he’d seen more arousal than shock when she lingered in that upstairs hallway in London.
