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“Oh,” said Bess, unable to hide her chagrin, for her father had not mentioned a thing, and she had even showed him an interest in Bold Tim. “I see,” she added in a small voice.
Donna burst out laughing and touched her friend’s shoulders. “No, you don’t see. His lordship took our promise to return by late afternoon with you and your father for a long visit. I just wanted to stop by and tell you before I go home to pack.”
“I don’t understand—with me and my father? Papa never said a word …” Bess said, puzzled.
“Apparently your father wants to have a look at Dunkirk’s stud before he brings over his mare and made some tentative plans with him to stay on for a bit.”
“Did the earl mention me, or was that some contrivance of yours?” Bess asked suspiciously.
Donna shook her head. “I never brought you up. Why would I?” She snorted. “You know my opinion about your ridiculous infatuation with him, and besides …” She hesitated.
“Besides?” Bess prompted.
Donna pulled a face. “I had the awful opportunity to bump into Sally Sonhurst, who was there with him, and, Bess, it is just as I said. She means to have him, touches him every opportunity she gets, and he doesn’t seem to mind. You would do well to forget all about him.”
“Who says I haven’t already done that?” Bess’s chin was up. She was getting a bit tired of her dearest friend forever dishing out advice just because she was married. After all, she was a year older than Donna.
Donna pulled a face and sighed. “Sorry state of affairs, that. If he offers for the widow she will lead him an awful dance.”
“Oh, why is that?” Bess asked, trying to appear unconcerned even though her heart was racing.
“Because she doesn’t really love him. I saw that almost at once. She likes him well enough, and means to have him, but love?” Donna shook her head.
“What of his feelings? Are they engaged? Does he love Sonhurst?” Bess had to concentrate not to hold her breath as she waited for Donna, who scrunched up her face and thought it over for a minute.
“Well?” Bess demanded.
“It is difficult to say, for he is very attentive and she is very attractive—in a raw sort of way—but is he in love? No, I don’t think so, but I don’t know him well enough, and she was much easier to read than he.” She shook her head. “I really didn’t like her, Bess. She is something of a rattle and never stops talking, especially about her connection to the Prince and his little clique.”
“Oh, well, there is never saying what a man will like …” Bess offered, not meeting Donna’s hazel eyes.
“Hmm, that is true, but in this case, there is something else about her. I can’t put my finger on it. Bess, they don’t suit. They just don’t, and although I don’t wish you to make a push for him for obvious reasons, I did find that I rather like him in spite of his rogue reputation.” She sighed. “It will be too bad if he makes an offer for the widow, and Robby says he thinks he might. Says that the earl isn’t interested in making a love match.”
“Well, that is none of my business, is it?” Bess said, still pretending unconcern. “Now, do you wish me to accompany my father? Or are you warning me off?”
Donna sighed. “Of course I want you with us.” She nudged Bess’s shoulder. “I need a buffer between me and the chattering widow.”
Bess’s face fell. “Oh, no—will she still be there?”
“I dash well hope not, but one never knows,” Donna said and grimaced.
Bess laughed. “Well then, perhaps this will be interesting.”
“The funny thing is the earl specifically requested your father to bring you. No doubt, doing the polite.”
Bess’s spirits, which had risen a bit, suddenly were smashed down. “Oh, he is inviting me for politeness. I see.”
“Why should that matter if you are not interested?” Donna asked suspiciously.
“One never wants to be an ‘afterthought’ on an invitation list.” Bess shook her head. “Perhaps I shan’t join you, after all.”
Donna grabbed her kid-gloved hands. “Oh, Bess, you must … I promised to bring you, and I need help, I told you, with the widow.”
“Has she been staying at Searington alone with him?” Bess asked suddenly.
“No,
with nearby friends, but she did visit him, quite unattended.” Donna eyed her meaningfully. “Not at all the thing.”
