Page 14 of The Duke Meets His Match

It was a lovely mild afternoon with a cloudless sky. Tables in the meticulously kept gardens had been set up with an array of delicacies and refreshments for the guests to enjoy. The women wore colorful gowns of muslin or silk, and the men were dressed in trousers, jackets, and checked and striped waistcoats. Chloe had taken care with her own dress—a yellow muslin with lace at the sleeves, bodice, and hem. Alice had styled her blond curls in an elegant chignon with soft curls brushing her cheeks.

“Do you see Lord Sefton?” Eliza leaned close to whisper in Chloe’s ear.

“No.” Chloe smoothed her skirts with nervous fingers.

Eliza patted her arm. “Don’t fret. He’s due to arrive. Would you like me to mention in passing that we plan to ride in Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon? Perhaps he will make an appearance and the two of you can ride together.”

For some reason, Eliza’s comment did not sit well. “You must not appear to interfere. All is going well on its own.”

Eliza blinked. “You’re right, of course.”

Chloe immediately felt churlish at the flash of hurt in her sister’s eyes. “Forgive me, Eliza. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’m simply anxious.”

Eliza’s brow eased, and she squeezed Chloe’s hand. “I promise not to act like an overbearing matchmaking mother.”

Scanning the crowd, Chloe searched for Lord Sefton. Her gaze focused on the tallest men present. Henry was average in height, but the duke was tall and muscular and would be easier to find. She didn’t see either man.

If Cameron did appear with Henry in tow, would he attempt to bribe her again? Or try another tactic?

Annoyance rose within Chloe. She knew she was too prideful by nature—a bad trait she’d inherited from her father, along with his stubbornness and temper. If the duke wanted a challenge, she would give him a battle.

Huntingdon approached to join Eliza and Chloe. Her brother-in-law was a handsome man, but it was the look of adoration in his eyes when he gazed upon Eliza that had immediately endeared him to Chloe.

“Lord Ruskin is here. He’s a generous patron of the Royal Academy, and I need to speak with him,” Huntingdon said.

Eliza arched an eyebrow as she looked at a group of men conversing beside a well-sculpted hedgerow. “I take it he wants your opinion on another piece of artwork he’s purchased. Is it his third painting this month?”

“His fourth. I hope he’ll loan the Raphael to the museum. Please excuse me.”

Chloe had learned that art collectors frequently asked for Huntingdon’s opinion. “Good luck,” she said as Huntingdon walked away.

Eliza sighed. “I suspect Lord Ruskin will keep my husband occupied for the remainder of the party. I suppose I should speak with Lady Ruskin. Will you come?”

Chloe wrinkled her nose. “As much as I enjoy conversing about art, I think you should go alone. I could use a cool glass of lemonade.”

Eliza nodded, and Chloe wandered to a refreshment table where glasses of lemonade awaited for thirsty guests.

“Hello there.”

Chloe turned to see a young gentleman with red hair, freckles, and light blue eyes standing behind her. He bowed gallantly. “Lord Fairchild at your service. May I fetch you refreshment, Miss…?”

She recognized him as the eldest of Viscount Fairchild’s four sons. Chloe curtsied. “Miss Chloe Somerton.”

He had straight teeth and a warm, friendly smile. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise. Lemonade would be lovely,” Chloe said.

He reached for a glass and offered it to her. Chloe took a sip and eyed him over the rim of her glass. He was not strikingly handsome, but attractive with touches of humor around his mouth and near his eyes. He was also next in line to the title, and she suspected many debutantes would be clamoring to dance with him at the Season’s upcoming balls.

“Are you interested in horticulture?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Goodness, no. I had trouble keeping alive a potted plant that was a gift for my birthday. Are you?”

He chucked. “I find your honesty refreshing. And no, I attend these events because my mother insists I should.”

“That’s kind of you to want to please your mother.”

“You haven’t met the viscountess. I act more out of fear than kindness.”