Chapter Six
Eve was relieved beyond words when Francis took Caroline away and left her alone with Freddie Rosemount.She had been searching for him at various parties and balls since the horse race, hoping he would eventually surface at one of them.His unexpected appearance at the gathering this evening afforded her the opportunity to ask some of the long list of questions she had compiled for him.
Standing this close to him was a pleasure she was silently relishing.The spice of his cologne had her taking in long appreciative breaths.
When she had first seen him at the end of the horse race, it had been dark and there had been a sizeable crowd gathered around him.She had barely managed to get a glimpse or two of him amongst the mass of people.
Here at the ball, she had him all to herself.
After Lucy and Avery’s wedding, she had gone home and looked at her private list of all the men she knew in London who might be candidates for matrimony.She had scratched several men from the list, only stopping when she realized nearly everyone on it had good reason to be removed.
But, tonight, she was intent on discovering if Freddie Rosemount was true to the wickedness of his horse riding.
He was taller than she had expected, only realizing it when he had stood next to Francis.At six feet four inches, her brother towered over most other men.Freddie, she guessed, was perhaps only an inch shorter than her brother.
Freddie was well built.Francis was a long, tall string bean, whereas Freddie had wide shoulders.The sleeves of his evening coat showed his well-developed muscles to their best advantage.His tailor knew exactly how to cut the cloth to the man.Well-dressed men always caught her approving eye.
“So how are you finding London on your own?”she asked.
He gave her a sideways glance before replying.“How do you know I am in London on my own?Have you been spying on me?”
Eve gave him her best coy look.She straightened her back, allowing her ample bust to be displayed to its best advantage.It wasn’t every day that a young lady was afforded the opportunity to talk to a young man barely of her acquaintance, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before Francis tired of Caroline and returned to her side.
Freddie and Eve’s gazes met.They were only a matter of a foot or so apart.Too close by accepted social standards, but Eve was not about to take a step backward.
His deep, brown eyes were pools of dark, rich coffee.His long black eyebrows added the perfect frame to his chiseled features.Even the small crow’s feet, which appeared at the corner of his eyes when he smiled, had been crafted by artisans.Eve could stand there all night and make a slow, luxurious assessment of his handsome face.She was in no particular hurry to be anywhere else.“Well actually, yes.Yes and no.I have lots of friends and relatives in London, and one of them happened to mention you have the run of your father’s house to yourself.I did consider breaking into your house if I couldn’t run you to ground before the end of the week,” she replied with a smile.
Freddie laughed at her reply, and Eve felt emboldened.In the time available to her she decided she would push the barriers a little further.
“So, tell me about the horse race.Why were you racing against Lord Godwin Mewburton in the middle of the night?It was so exciting.”
Freddie looked around the room.There were plenty of guests close by, some close enough to be within earshot.“I could tell you, but we may need to go somewhere a little more private.Are you game?”
It took all of Eve’s self-control not to clap her hands with glee.Freddie Rosemount was beginning to sound like the perfect candidate for a husband.She was always game.
She offered him her arm and they walked a short distance away to a nearby private alcove.They were still in sight of the dance floor and other guests, so propriety was theoretically being observed.He stood with his back to the dance floor ensuring no one could see his face.He leant in close.
“Now if I tell you, I need you to promise it will stay our secret.If you dare to tell your sister or your brother, I shall know,” said Freddie.
Her heart pitter-pattered with excitement.She had never before felt these sorts of sensations when near a young man.Freddie and his delicious secrets would be all hers.
She eagerly nodded her agreement.
“It was part of a game.Winner gets to join a secret society.Tomorrow we are to be given our next challenge,” he explained.
Eve’s heart felt fit to burst with excitement and disappointment.A secret game.But why did the men get to have all the fun?Young, unmarried ladies such as herself were never afforded that level of amusement.A piano recital or the opera was dictated to be suitable entertainment for her, none of which were exhilarating.
“Any idea what the next challenge is going to be?”she asked.
He shook his head.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Francis and Caroline approaching.From the angry look on her brother’s face, the dance had not gone well.It wouldn’t be long before Caroline was demanding he take her home, which would also mean that Eve would shortly be leaving the party.
It was time to take a chance.
She leant in close and placed her hand on his arm.If Francis saw, he could take her to task over her familiarity with Freddie later on.
“Promise me, if you need a friend to help you win the game, you will consider me.I know lots of people and places in London.I could be of immense assistance to you,” she said.
