Page 12 of Until I’m Safe in Your Arms

“He’s about to ask for Miss Hardy’s hand. I’d believe it, except for the fact she’s here this weekend and he’s not.” Alex looked about then waved a footman over. “Coffee with sugar, please, John.”

“Very good, Captain Bancroft.”

Alex turned back to his cousin, his brow puckered. He’d look a right fool to Grandfather and the others if Julius stole a march on him and married first. “What do you think? Has he been courting her already? Did you know of it?”

“If he’s done so, I haven’t heard of it.” Yule handed the missive back and picked up his fork again. “He may just be having you on.” He shrugged and dug into a pungent game pie. “In any case, you seem to be well ahead of the rest of us in the race to matrimony. I noticed you and Miss Washer disappeared onto the veranda last night.” He raised his brows at Alex as he prepared to take a bite of pie. “I’m extremely surprised you didn’t come back betrothed, or at least compromised.”

“We might well have done so had anyone seen us out there.” Alex smiled at the memory of Emma’s sweet body pressed against him. The softness of her lips, the brush of her breast against his chest. His member stirred strongly, apparently remembering as well. He sat back as the footman set the coffee in front of him, then pulled his chair far forward. No need to advertise his arousal. “But if she continues her flirtation with me, I predict we will be announcing our engagement by the end of the party.”

“So much the better for you, I suppose. Do you know if she’s well dowered? Or do you care about nothing save winning the wager?” Yule didn’t sound put out so much as concerned.

“I’m looking for Uncle Jack as soon as I leave you. I want to check into her circumstances, both financial and social. She’s not been very forthcoming about herself and her family.”

“Well, at least you’re showing some sense and not completely focused on the wager.” His cousin raised a brow. “Or are you? Do you really not care if you marry a virtual stranger, Alex? I know it’s done by some of Society, but don’t you want an inkling that the two of you will suit? That you have a hope of falling in love?”

If Yule had seen them outside last night, he wouldn’t have asked that particular question. Grinning, Alex sipped his coffee. “I think Emma and I will have as much of a chance at marital happiness as any other couple. If last night was any indication, we may well have a better one.”

“Well, then Godspeed, cousin.” Yule tossed his napkin onto the table. “I give you my blessing, even though you don’t need it, and my best wishes for your success. As this is Saturday and we all leave Monday, you’ve got your work cut out for you.” He rose. “D’you want to shoot at the same stand? Make a completely different wager for the day? Most birds brought down before luncheon?”

“Tempting, Yule, but I’m not shooting today.” Alex sipped more of the excellent coffee. “I want to spend as much time with Miss Washer as I can. Perhaps a game of croquet so I can see how well she shows to advantage at sport.”

“My loss then. I’m certain I would have trounced you soundly.”

“Not a chance.” Alex chuckled, then spied his uncle entering the room in conversation with Lord Braeton. “But don’t let me keep you. I need to speak to Uncle Jack before he heads out to the stands. It won’t be long now, I think. Good luck.”

“Thanks, but I doubt I’ll need it.” Yule headed out, stopping to speak to Uncle Jack, who immediately turned and headed toward Alex.

“Alex, good morning.” His uncle towered over the seat Yule had just vacated. “Mr. Quartermain tells me you wished to speak to me. I’m heading out to the break now. We can speak on the way to the stands.”

Rather sheepishly, Alex shook his head. “I hadn’t planned to shoot today, uncle.”

A look of alarm flashed over his uncle’s face. “You’re not ill, are you?”

“Oh no, right as rain, my lord.”

“Well, thank God for that.” The concerned countenance vanished, replaced by a deep frown. “Then what the devil keeps you from shooting with me today?”

Alex shot to his feet. “Let’s talk as we walk.”

Once they left the breakfast room and were relatively alone, Alex began his plea. “I hate missing the shoot, uncle, but I’d hoped to spend more time with Miss Washer this morning.”

“Miss Washer, eh?” Uncle Jack cocked his head. “You spent a goodly amount of time in her company last evening, if I recollect.”

“I did, uncle. And we’ve been getting on so well, I wanted to continue in her company as much as possible this weekend.”

“Strike while the iron is hot, hum?”

“Exactly, uncle.” Good. He’d be forgiven for abandoning the sport then. “I did wonder if you knew anything about her prospects. I can’t ask her, of course, and since she’s orphaned, I take it, I don’t know to whom I should apply for a formal courtship.” Not that he’d have time for such a thing. “She’s under the sponsorship of Lady Tilney, I think.”

“Yes, that is so, although she wouldn’t be the young lady’s guardian. Lord Tilney, perhaps, but he was unable to attend the weekend.” Uncle Jack continued down the corridor toward the entry hall. “Both Miss Washer’s parents, and now her aunt and uncle who had guardianship of her, have died. I’ve no idea who that leaves as her closest relatives.”

“Her aunt and uncle died?” So great was his surprise, Alex came to a full stop in the middle of the foyer. “She never told me that.”

“It happened out in India, although I don’t have the particulars.” His uncle shook his head as they started outside toward the waiting break.

“Good God, were they killed during the uprising?” His head spinning with this tragic possibility, Alex hurried his pace to keep up.

“Well, Miss Washer just returned this past spring. The mutiny took place—”