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“None that I can see.” He continued to stare, unabashed.
“Then pray tell me what you observe with such intense regard.”
“You wear no powder or rouge.”
A faint tinge of natural rose stained her cheeks at the blunt statement. “Is my lack of powder a shortcoming?”
“Not at all. But it is unusual to see a woman without it. Most fashionable ladies regard powder as a necessity whether or not they require its concealing properties.”
Her chin lifted a fraction. “I find it disagreeable and refuse to employ it. It causes my face to itch.”
Honesty. Simple honesty. Again he was caught off guard by it. He offered his arm once more. “Many women have similar complaints, yet wear it still. Perhaps that explains some of their foul-temperedness. How fortunate you require no such artifice.”
“Back to flattery again?”
He grinned. “I’ve learned a little flattery does a gentleman no harm when seeking a lady’s favor.”
“Has your curiosity concerning my person been so satisfied that you have progressed to seeking my favor?” Her eyes were alight with mischief. “Papa was correct to caution me regarding a gentleman’s haste.”
Now he laughed outright. “There is an old saying, ‘make hay while the sun doth shine’.” He gestured to the cloudless sky above. “The sun shines most brightly today, does it not? Therefore, I say, let us make hay.”
It earned him a genuine smile. “You, sir, are without shame.”
“That I am, dear lady.”
Chapter Five
Eden remained silent thereafter, as much to regain her own solid footing as to allow him a respite. Men were more fragile than they liked to think, and she’d sore pricked his hide just now. He’d bled a little, which was a good sign. Oh yes, there was depth to the man.
Such banter served a purpose. It was a means of sounding out and learning boundaries, finding just how far one would be permitted to delve into the mind and heart of the other.
As they sauntered toward the lakeside to join the other partygoers, Lord Tavistoke tucked her hand a little more firmly into the crook of his arm. It was as clear a statement of possession as any, and she felt like crowing in triumph. Moments later, however, her elation drained away as he stopped and stiffened. She followed his gaze to see Lord and Lady Montgomery sitting in the shade of a tent directly ahead.
Eden clenched her teeth on a curse as her escort began to move again, leading her in their direction. Pasting a bright smile on her face, she resolved to be as charming as possible. Perhaps the situation could be salvaged and some use made of it. At the least, it would afford her an opportunity to observe their interaction and perhaps gain insight into what it was about the woman that had him so tied up in knots.
“Monty, Sabrina!” he called out jovially.
To call out to another man’s wife using her Christian name was beyond the pale! Eden looked to him quickly and at once came to the conclusion he hadn’t even realized his error. Her breath caught as Lady Montgomery turned to greet them.
“I received your letter,” said Tavistoke, smiling into the other woman’s eyes as he bent over her hand. “Please accept my most heartfelt felicitations.”
“Thank you,” answered Lady Montgomery, her manner equally warm. “We haven’t told anyone else yet.”
Lord Montgomery beamed. “We wanted you to be among the first to know.”
The first to know what? Eden felt she would burst in a minute if someone didn’t tell her.
Lady Montgomery continued, “Were Maggie a little older, our secret would likely have been out long ago. As it is, I doubt we’ll be able to keep it quiet for much longer.” She laid a hand across her midsection, flattening the cloth there to reveal a gently rounded belly.
The tender, telling gesture said everything: the lady was enceinte. Eden’s gaze snapped to Tavistoke, whose eyes were alight with what could only be termed adoration. Quickly, she looked to Lord Montgomery, every bit expecting to see murder written on his face.
But Lord Montgomery merely smiled indulgently at his wife. “Yes, well, thankfully our Maggie has not yet mastered the art of speech, which is all too soon followed by the art of gossip.”
Maggie must be their first child.
“And how is my goddaughter this day?” inquired her escort, still grinning. “Still being a troublesome little baggage?”
Another shock. He is godfather to their first child? It was only with the strictest discipline Eden maintained her neutral expression. Obviously, there was a strong friendship between the trio despite the once-upon-a-time rivalry between the two men.
