Suddenly he glanced up and grinned.Mon Dieu, Wivenly was a handsome devil. He could probably have any woman he wanted. He certainly made her think and feel things she did not wish to. His focus on her caused a tingling to course through her body, and she rose to go to him. This attraction she had to him was not at all helpful in her effort to make a rational decision whether or not to marry him.
He held his hand out. “Shall we go?”
When Eugénie moved past him out the door, he caught her arm, twining it once more in his. She gazed up at him. His poor neck was even worse than when they’d arrived. “You should remove your cravat.”
“First I shall escort you home.” His tone was low but firm.
The silly man.If it had not required going to the hotel without a chaperone, she would have spoken to his valet herself.
Eugénie gave herself an inner shake. How was it he alternately fascinated and irritated her? This courting was very nice, much better than when he kissed her.Non. If she was honest, she liked his kisses too much. What she didn’t like was the feeling of being out of control, consumed by him. “What did you and the brother speak of?”
“Ways in which I could aid the mission.”
Her heart gave a leap as she stared up at him. “You would do that?”
“Your father is not the only member of my family to support the freedom of others, as well as different causes.” Wivenly gazed back at her. His lips curled slowly into a smile. “My father was responsible for helping to pass the bill ending the slave trade.” The look in his eyes turned wry. “Unfortunately he was not as successful in freeing them.”
She thought of the babies and small children she’d saved and tears pricked the back of her eyes. She blinked them away. “Papa said it will be years yet.”
“I’m afraid I have to agree.”
Three quarters of an hour later, as they strolled past the hotel, she spied Cicely and her parents entering. It must be close to noon. Cicely had told Eugénie earlier she wanted Andrew to host them. Surely they would not mind company, and it would give her an opportunity to tell Tidwell what she thought of his methods. “I see Cicely and Andrew. Let us join them. It will also give me an opportunity to speak with your valet.”
“Yes, let’s.”
He allowed Eugénie to lead him toward the front steps. Would she really beard Tidwell?
Eugénie and Will entered the parlor on the heels of Andrew, Cicely, and Cicely’s parents.
Tidwell stood in the doorway leading to Will’s bedchamber appearing a bit nonplussed. Nothing could have pleased Wivenly more. It was about damned time his valet had a surprise.
“My lord, I did not expect . . .”
Eugénie turned to Tidwell with a dazzling smile on her face. “Ah, you must be the estimable Tidwell I have heard about.”
Tidwell glanced at Will, who couldn’t keep from smiling, then back at her. “Yes, miss.”
She reached up and gently tugged at his cravat. He winced as the rough cloth rubbed against his neck. It hurt much more than he’d expected.
“You see this redness?”
Tidwell cringed.
“This is what happens when you use too much starch.” She raised one brow, her voice a gentle command. “I trust you will not do so again.”
Tidwell glanced at Will for a moment before replying, “No, miss.”
“Bon.”Eugénie nodded sharply. “We understand one another. Please tend to his lordship immediately so we may eat luncheon.”
For putting Tidwell in his place, something Will had never been able to do, he could have kissed her. Right there in front of everyone. As he followed a subdued Tidwell into his chamber, it occurred to Will that a wife could actually be a very useful thing to have around. No one had ever actually taken his side in domestic disputes before. In fact, all of his father’s senior servants treated Will as if he were still barely breeched. But a wife would set them straight. Hadn’t Beaumont said something of the sort about his wife? Who would have thought that a lady one was to protect could actually defend him?
Will removed his neckcloth, handing it to Tidwell. Then Will took the cool, wet cloth Tidwell passed to him, putting it around his neck. The dampness alone soothed his chaffed skin. Before Will donned a lightly starched cravat, his valet spread some sort of cream on the rash. In less than half an hour, he’d rejoined the others.
Eugénie handed him a cold glass of wine before turning to study his injured flesh. “Hmm.”
He took a large drink. “Hmm, what?”
“You shall escort me home.”
