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A derisive snort escaped Eden before she could quash it. Blushing furiously, she took a swallow of tea to compose herself before answering. “To say he’s been a ‘bit of a nuisance’ is a grand understatement. He has been like a shadow at every event mutually attended. My worst fear is he might actually offer for me. My father would disown me if I turned down a duke.”
“Lord Abingdon is not only a duke, but he possesses comparable wealth and is, arguably, as handsome as Percy, if a bit older,” said Lady Montgomery. “His age is looked upon as a benefit by many, for he’s far more likely to be settling into his ‘family years,’ as my husband put it, than Percy. You would be wise not to dismiss an offer from Abingdon so quickly. The female who bags that man will be the envy of all her peers, certainly.”
“I care nothing for his purse, his looks, or the envy of my peers,” Eden said, forgetting she was speaking to a much higher-ranking member of Society. “I would sooner marry an organ grinder’s monkey.”
Her hostess chuckled. “And if he comes to scratch?”
“He will be refused,” finished Eden with a stubborn thrust of her chin. “And I will be disowned.”
The woman’s eyes grew round. “Surely it would be better to marry the man and then simply live separate lives once your duty is fulfilled? Many women have made similar sacrifices for the sake of an advantageous match.”
“You did not. You chose an earl over a marquess, no doubt disappointing your family’s ambitions.”
Lady Montgomery smiled. “I did. Henry and I are a true love match. But as you said earlier, you and Percy have not known each other long enough for such tender sentiment to have developed. As such, why should you choose him over Lord Abingdon when the latter can offer you far more?”
“Because I have no liking for the way Lord Abingdon looks at me,” Eden answered defensively.
“Does not Percy also regard you with desire?” Lady Montgomery murmured, arching a brow.
Eden felt her face reddening. “That’s different.”
“How?”
Now Eden did squirm. “I’ve no need to marry either, or in fact, any man,” she countered, avoiding the question. It would be best to let the topic of desires—his or hers—lie unexplored. “I’ve money enough of my own. I need no additional support.”
A soft smile crossed Lady Montgomery’s face. “Not to be indelicate, and I do hope you will forgive me for bringing it up, but your many refusals last Season are practically legend. I, along with everyone else, cannot help but wonder why you refused so many decent young men only to gamble on a hellhound like Percy.”
“You once considered him, did you not?” Eden tossed back, again forgetting herself. She was being deliberately baited, and she didn’t care for it.
Her hostess’s expression remained calm. “Indeed, I did. And I should be married to him now, had not divine Providence intervened on my behalf.” She leaned forward, and all pretense of nonchalance disappeared. “It goes without saying there are plenty of other gentlemen on the market with better credentials and less blackened reputations than Percy. I simply wish to know why it is you’ve decided to jeopardize your good name for an association with my friend, in particular, when you have so many other viable options.”
This wasn’t “tea”—it was an interrogation! Heart sinking, Eden knew with certainty that every word of this conversation would be reiterated to Percy. If Lady Montgomery still had any influence on him, and Eden knew she did, she would be painted in a most unflattering light if she gave anything less than a satisfactory answer now.
In for a ha’ penny…
“He is a contradiction,” Eden stated boldly. “Unlike Lord Abingdon,”—she gritted her teeth at the foul taste of his name—“Percy’s actions often appear to be at odds with his reputation. I’ve met plenty of wolves in sheep’s wool, and he does not strike me as such. If anything, I think of him as more of a black sheep than a wolf. Trouble, certainly.” She gave the other woman a brittle smile. “But not of the same sort.”
It was the perfect answer. Eden knew it by the sudden light in her hostess’s eyes.
“Indeed, with the exception of my own husband, you will never find as generous a spirit in another man, nor as compassionate a heart,” agreed Lady Montgomery. “But allow me to warn you that Percy is no sheep, not even a black one. If anything, let us rather call him a reformed wolf. He earned his bad reputation quite honestly, my dear, and it will haunt him for the rest of his life. Should you marry him, it will haunt yours, as well. You will be called to constantly defend him, as well as yourself for having him. People will wonder about your character because of who he is—or was.”
“I’m aware of his many by-blows, if that’s what you’re implying,” Eden said flatly. “Many men sire children out of wedlock before they marry. The king himself is known to have sired several bastards.” She used the vulgar word deliberately, tired of walking on eggshells with the woman. “Why Percy should be so vilified over an indiscretion so common to his sex is incomprehensible to me.”
“True, but there are many other things about him you don’t know—”
“If they are as inconsequential as the aforementioned, I shall be as glad to ignore them,” Eden told her with aplomb. In for a pound… “Though you did not end as Percy’s wife, both you and Lord Montgomery still name him your friend. Therefore, I must assume he is possessed of more good qualities than bad. Like you, I simply feel he ought to be given a chance.”
“You’re falling in love with him.”
The accusation hung in the air between the two women for several seconds while Eden’s ears began to burn. “I am quite fond of him.” To her mortification, she found her voice unsteady. “However—”
“You should know Percy tends not to procrastinate when it comes to making decisions,” Lady Montgomery cut in softly. “If he has declared his intent to court you,
I should not wait too long to reciprocate his sentiments. He’s a fine catch, and there are many who would give much to be in your place.”
“Any attempt to displace me in his affections is a welcome test of my good faith in him,” Eden responded coolly. “Should some other female manage to lure him away, I shall count myself fortunate to have avoided a grave error in judgment concerning his character.”
“It was not my intention to offend you,” replied Lady Montgomery, holding up a slim, beringed hand in surrender. “Nor do I wish to imply Percy possesses a fickle nature. In truth, should you remain in his confidence you will find him capable of the most singular devotion. I only wish to convey to you the importance of decisive action on your part.”
