Threading his way through the crowd, he finally came up beside Littleton’s carriage, and doffed his hat. “Good afternoon, Miss Turley, Littleton.”
“Good afternoon.” Elizabeth’s smile grew brighter. “I did not expect to see you here.”
“No?” Geoff glanced at Littleton but the man ignored him, so Geoff focused his efforts on Elizabeth. “How could I not come when all the most beautiful sights are here?”
By the way she blushed, he was sure she knew he referred to her. “Are they truly, my lord?”
He captured her gaze with his. “I am absolutely firm in my belief.” For several minutes he kept pace with the curricle, chatting with Elizabeth and greeting friends and acquaintances. Once he was sure news of his interest in her would be on the tongues of all the gossips, he took his leave. “Until this evening.”
She held out her hand, and he took it. “I shall look forward to our dances.”
“No more than I shall.” Geoff pressed his lips to her gloved fingers, wishing they were bare, wishing he was kissing her rosy lips, wishing he had her alone and to himself. Wishing—he tamped down his nascent lust. Riding a horse with a stiff cock was not comfortable.
Littleton’s back was straight as a poker, and he continued to ignore Elizabeth and Geoff’s conversation. With any luck, his lordship now understood that Miss Elizabeth Turley was taken.
“That went well.” Elizabeth had been shocked to see Harrington in the Park today.
Not even in her dreams had she thought he would make a figure of himself by remaining by the carriage, speaking with her but not Lord Littleton. On the other hand, his lordship had not spoken with Harrington either.Hemight not have seen the raised brows and speculative glances, but she had. Everyone would be watching them tonight.
She glanced at Lord Littleton. “Do you not think Lord Harrington is coming around?”
“Sooner than I’d thought.” Lord Littleton mumbled something else she did not catch.
“I beg your pardon, but I could not hear the last part.”
“I’m not sure I meant for you to hear it.” They had reached one of the gates. Once he drove through it, he sighed. “Your brother and I made you promise not to fall in love with me. Apparently, I should have made a promise not to fall in love with you.”
“You cannot be serious.” She scrambled for something to say that would ease the sudden tension between them and her blurted words. “You are not ready to marry.”
“Apparently, with the right woman I am.” He pulled up in front of her father’s house. “I should not have told you. It has made things difficult between us. Harrington was always the gentleman you wanted, and it now appears that you shall have him.” Lord Littleton took her hands in his. “However, if it goes wrong, if you discover he is not the gentleman you want, I’d ask you to consider me. I will never be more than a baron, but I’m wealthy. I have several estates, and I would do my best to make you happy.”
He looked so earnest and sad. For several moments she couldn’t speak. “You are a wonderful man—”
He held up one hand as he released her fingers. “You do not need to say more. I know where your heart lies.”
A footman came out and helped Elizabeth down from the curricle. “Thank you. For everything.”
Lord Littleton nodded then drove down the street.
“Goodness, who would have guessed?” she said more to herself than anyone else.
“Did you say something, miss?” her father’s butler said.
She looked up to the top of the steps where Broadwell held the door open. “Nothing, Broadwell. Nothing at all.”
Well, this had been an interesting day. Gentlemen had paid her very little attention during the Season, now two men wished to marry her. Yet, only one made her breath shorten and her heart race. Her lips still tingled where Harrington had touched them with his.
Elizabeth felt sorry for Lord Littleton. There was little worse than wanting someone who did not want you. The chances were that she would not be in London next Season, but her friends would be. She’d write to them, asking for their help finding Lord Littleton a wife worthy of the man.
The rest of the afternoon and into evening, Elizabeth couldn’t settle. She tried resting, reading, and embroidery, but was too nervous to concentrate. No, that wasn’t the right word.Excitedsuited her mood much better. She wanted nothing more than to spend time with Harrington. If only this evening would come sooner. Yet, it seemed as if the clock never moved, and that she had been glancing at it every few minutes instead of every hour as she thought.
“Elizabeth,” her aunt said, walking into the morning room. “You are going to fag yourself to death before this evening if you do not stop pacing.”
“I do not seem to be able to stop myself.” Elizabeth glanced at the clock again and her aunt heaved a sigh.
“It is late notice, but, if you’d like, I shall write Harrington and ask if he wishes to take potluck with us then accompany us to the ball this evening.”
“Oh, would you?” That would be wonderful. It was only just over two hours until dinner. “Do you think he will accept?”
