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“An old maid?” Dalton’s eyes darkened, his voice lowering to a silken tenor. “I don’t think anyone would ever mistake you for that, my lady.”
Steady, now.
A flirtation would do them no favors, and she would be a fool to encourage one. “I certainly hope not.” Blast, was her voice as husky as it sounded? And why did his lips look so kissable when quirked up in that teasing little grin? Heat coiled in her belly at the thought of giving in to the temptation to take a step forward and lean in. She bet he smelled good. Rogues like him always did.
Thankfully, or perhaps unfortunately, Dalton seemed to snap out of whatever seductive mood he was in as he took a step back with an awkward chuckle. “Only someone so youthful can throw the riotous parties you do, so I doubt you have any genuine worries that some will see you as an aging matron for a good while yet.”
“Indeed.” Eliza wasn’t sure what irritated her more; that Dalton backed off or her vexation at him doing so in the first place.
**
Lady Aircourt was irritated with him. It was obvious from the frown she wore. James sensed that she’d come perilously close to kissing him, and he was glad that he’d managed to get his wits about him enough to step away before they both got themselves into trouble. She’d looked so damned pretty amongst the wild roses, her green eyes perfectly matching the stems, her red lips pouting at the thought of appearing old, that the wave of arousal he’d felt had come too quickly to temper the flirtatious comment that had slipped out. He remembered being similarly struck when first meeting her at that cursed ball four years ago, though the sobering reality of what he’d been about to undertake had managed to guilt the attraction out of him back then. Though he was now under no such duress, the fact remained that encouraging a flirtation with the vivacious woman would be a terrible idea. Hard to convince the world that he was a reformed man if word of him gallivanting about with a wealthy widow got out, and he imagined her being associated with a social outcast such as himself would do her little favors as well. No, whatever relationship they had needed to be strictly platonic. The invitation she’d promised to acquire was a significant victory, and James was keen not to damage their budding friendship with something as shallow as lust.
He looked around for something to distract from the now awkward air between them and zoned in on the rather unruly rosebushes curling themselves into a mess behind her. Upon closer inspection, the entire garden seemed in a state of mild disarray. “Are you planning on opening the garden to guests this year?”
The topic was enough to change the mood, and Lady Aircourt scowled. “Unfortunately, no. I’m sure you’ve seen how horrid everything looks.”
Latching on to the reprieve, James smiled indulgently. “It is not that bad.”
“Please, don’t spare my feelings. I know how horrid things look. Unfortunately, my gardener had to take leave for some months, and I’ve been unable to find a suitable replacement, it being the height of the season.”
An idea formed, a way to show his gratitude for the kindness she’d bestowed upon him. “How about you use mine?”
“Your…gardener?”
He nodded. “Yes. I have no need of him because of certain economies I’ve had to make, and I would be glad to give him somewhere to go.” It was more that he’d received a letter from his butler informing him that the young man had finally walked out after one too many unwanted advances from his mother, but that was some dirty laundry that he was far too humiliated to share at the moment. The fact remained that the good man had been forced to leave through no fault of his own. The right thing to do, as the actual master of the house despite not living there, would be for James to send him Lady Aircourt’s way. “My butler is still in contact with him, and I am sure he would be happy to have some temporary work whilst he searches for a new position.”
“You would do that for me?” Her eyes were wide with more than a little hope.
“Think of it as repayment for the favor you’ve done me. I’ll make sure my butler sends word if he accepts. You’ll know within a few days, at most.”
“Please make it clear I will pay well him over the going rate for his time. Thank you, Dalton, truly. You do not know how much this has been weighing on my mind.”
“I am glad.” Pleasure rushed through him at the sight of her relieved smile. She looked like the entire world had just been lifted from her shoulders and it pleased him immensely that he had been the one to give her such happiness, though that he desired so much to do so was more than a bit disconcerting. The urge to step forward and give her the kiss that she had so obviously wanted threatened to overtake him once more.
She gestured to the house. “Do you care for some tea?”
He most certainly did, which was exactly the problem. Who knows what would happen if they found themselves alone in the privacy of her parlor? “Sadly, I have more errands to run.”
The marked disappointment on her face did not help matters in the slightest. Thankfully, she wiped all traces of the emotion from her face almost as quickly as it had come. “Very well. Please enjoy the rest of your afternoon. I will be sure to secure that invitation for you.”
“And I’ll be sure to appear. Good day, then, Lady Aircourt.”
“Good day, Lord Dalton.” Her dulcet voice followed him as he all but fled the garden, refusing to turn around lest he humor any more ridiculous fantasies.
