“They’re beautiful and so very thoughtful of you. Thank you, Grace.”
Grace pinned the roses in her hair and stepped back. “There. You’re perfect. Now, you mustn’t tarry any longer. You don’t want to keep the baron waiting.”
“No, of course not.”
“Promise me you’ll tell me everything that happens this evening. It’s so exciting.”
“I will,” she said, pulling on her gloves and sailing out the door and down the staircase. Her breath caught when she saw Jacob standing in the foyer. He looked so devastatingly handsome in his black evening wear. The only spot of color was an emerald pin in his cravat.
“Good evening, Lord Fletcher. I hope I’ve not kept you waiting,” she said, descending the stairs.
“Not at all. You look lovely.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“Are you ready? I have a hackney waiting.”
“Of course.”
Beckwith opened the door, and Jacob handed her up in the carriage.
If she thought they would have a conversation on the ride to the Devon residence, she was sadly mistaken. He took the seat opposite her and looked out the window the entire time. How could she broach the subject of their kiss when he wouldn’t even look at her?
They soon arrived at their destination, and Jacobhanded her down.
“Um…Miss Parker. I…um…”
“Yes, my lord?”
“I wanted—” he started to say, but the front door opened, interrupting him.
Why had he waited until they were about to go in to speak to her?
“Are you ready to meet the Devons?”
“I suppose.”
“Don’t be nervous. I have it on good authority that Lady Devon will be pleased to speak with you about a Season,” he said, holding out his arm. “Shall we?”
Audrey nodded and placed her fingertips on his sleeve. Even through the fabric of his jacket and shirt and her glove, she felt a jolt of awareness travel through her body. How was she ever going to look at another man when her heart was fully committed to Jacob?
The butler opened the door as they climbed the stairs. “Good evening, Lord Fletcher, Miss Parker. Please follow me. The family is enjoying drinks in the drawing room.”
They followed the butler into a spacious room decorated in shades of blue and cream. There were several sitting areas, and Audrey noticed a young woman her age sitting with a woman she assumed was Lady Devon. The women stood when they entered.
“Lord Fletcher and Miss Parker,” the butler announced before departing.
Lord Devon reached them first and held out his hand. “Fletcher. Good to see you again.”
Jacob took his hand in a firm handshake before introducing her. “Thank you. Lord Devon, this is Miss Parker. Miss Parker, may I make known to you Lord Devon?”
Audrey curtseyed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord. Thank you for inviting us for dinner.”
“It was actually Lady Devon’s idea,” he said as his wife and daughter came to stand next to him.
“Good evening, Lord Fletcher,” Lady Devon said. “Welcome to our home.”
“Lady Devon, thank you for the invitation,” he said with a bow.
