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“When one gets the amount of attention that I do,” Caroline explained matter-of -factly and without a hint of gloating in her voice, “you become very skilled at discerning who is genuine and who is false. Last year, I sensed Lord Lindsay’s duplicity from a mile away.”
“I should have listened to you back then,” Arabella said. Her sister had warned her of Lindsay’s false affections, but Arabella had been too happy to have someone prefer her over her sister for once in her life that the warnings had fallen on deaf ears, much to her embarrassment after the fact. She waited for melancholy to slither into her heart at the memory. Oddly, only a dull ache needled her heart, one that had far more to do with the burn of humiliation than any lingering feelings for her former and deceitful suitor.
“I don’t know if I ever told you this, but I poured a cup of tea over his head when he proposed to me,” Caroline said with a happy smirk.
“You did not tell me that, no,” Arabella said with a small laugh. She could imagine the scene with vivid clarity, and the thought of the viscount sputtering as the hot liquid splashed into his meticulously quaffed hair was enough to chase the troublesome memories away. “Thank you.”
“Milton is different, Arabella.” Caroline crossed her arms. “He likes you. Do something about it.”
But she was still unsure of herself, and unsure how to properly proceed. Perhaps Caroline was right and Milton’s interest was genuine, having nothing to do with winning the bet and everything to do with his regard for her. But the stubborn fear that her sister was wrong, that her own budding feelings would be squashed once Milton realized his task was well and truly a lost cause, kept her frozen with indecision.
There was a knock on her door, their shared maid sliding in a moment later. Happy to have a momentary diversion from her dilemma, Arabella rose. “We will have to continue this discussion later, for it is time to prepare for the ride.”
“Oh, that? I’m not going,” Caroline said with a cheeky smile. “Terrible headache, I’m afraid. Be sure to tell mother when you find her downstairs.”
Now that she thought about it, Caroline only wore a simple walking dress rather than the required riding habit. “Mother will be displeased. No doubt she expects you and Milton to spend the ride together.”
“Which is precisely the point.” Caroline stood and walked to Arabella, giving her a playful pat on the head. “With me out of the way, you will be free to monopolize His Grace’s time. Now then.” She strode to the door with a cheerful spring in her step. “I’m off to languish in bed for the rest of the day.” She opened the door and made to walk out, but poked her head around before shutting it. “If I don’t hear half the guests gossiping about you and Milton at dinner, then I shall be very cross with you, sister.”
“Get well soon,” Arabella replied with a laugh as Caroline ducked back and shut the door with a definitive click. She feared her sister would indeed be quite cross, for Arabella had no clue how to move forward.
ChapterTen
Nathan eyed Miss Hughsfrom across the room, balancing a barely picked at plate in his hands, and wondering what was on her mind. She stood with Lady Drummel, who kept sending irritated glances towards the door. Miss Caroline was notably absent, and he wondered if that had anything to do with the woman’s agitated state. Miss Hughs looked at him for the briefest of moments, their eyes meeting, before turning away to listen to her mother.
His entire plan regarding her had been rocked on its axis with the revelation that their attraction was mutual. He’d acted a supreme rakehell last night, smothering and pawing at her like some untried schoolboy. Any other lady might have demanded a proposal right there, and yet she’d fled. He wasn’t sure how to proceed. Did she desire a courtship? Or was there to be nothing more between them than a sudden, passing lust? The answer was unclear, and her refusal to even glance in his direction wasn’t helping matters.
“And what do you think?”
Nathan turned to his mother, who sat beside him on a chaise. Breakfast was served buffet style in the drawing room, the long ride set to follow right after, though the duchess planned not to go. He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, mother. I was woolgathering.”
The duchess eyed him over the rim of her teacup. “I was suggesting that you might spend the ride with Miss Caroline. Felicity and I thought it a capital idea.” She gave a pointed look to the corner he’d been gazing at, or rather, the person. “But I suspect that our attempts in that area are unwanted.”
Nathan tried not to flush at his mother’s keen observation. He should have known better than to hide anything from her. “Miss Caroline is lovely,” he began, “but she isn’t… isn’t…”
“Her sister?” his mother replied with a knowing smile.
He failed to hide his blush this time and took a large bite of eggs with an exaggerated swallow. “I apologize for not saying anything,” he murmured, so as not to have anyone overhear. “You seemed so enamored of Miss Caroline that I hesitated to disappoint you.”
“Do not fret about such things,” she replied with a gentle pat on his knee. “I merely thought she would be a good match. If it is the elder Miss Hughs that has caught your eye, then I am more than pleased to hear it.”
“The thing is, mother,” he replied, setting down his cutlery with a mild clank. “I’m not sure Ive caughthereye, and I don’t think she is the type of lady to be swayed by my title.”
She set her cup down. “Then show her your good qualities. Perhaps spend some time with her?”
He glanced in Miss Hugh’s direction once more. Her back stayed stubbornly turned towards him as Lady Drummel prattled on. He wondered if what the woman had to say was truly interesting or if Miss Hughs was merely engrossed in the conversation so as to not have to turn around and see him again. Nathan suspected it was the latter. “I think I may have scared her off.”
His mother frowned. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he replied quickly, likely too quickly. “I only mean that I may have been a bit too forward in our last interaction. Considering her dislike of me, I’m sure any of my subtle intimations were confusing and unwanted.” There was nothing subtle about kissing a lady twice, but he certainly would not share that much with his mother. Though the woman knew him so well that he wondered if she even believed the excuse he’d just given.
Likely not, if her deepening frown was any indication. But, rather than call him out in the middle of breakfast, the duchess shook her head with a wry smile. “Well, whatever you did, I’m sure it isn’t as bad as you think.” She lowered her voice even more. “Surely it cannot be worse than Miss Russel’s attempts to get Thurmont in her court. The poor girl seems besotted with him, and I am reasonably certain he wants nothing to do with her.” She cast a meaningful gaze behind him.
Subtly, so as not to be seen staring, Nathan followed her direction. Indeed, Miss Russel was as glued to Thurmont’s side as she could be without seeming improper and appeared to be talking his ear off. No doubt she planned to maneuver herself to spend the ride by his side. Thurmont looked about ready to jump through the nearest window. He winced as Miss Russel laughed at something she’d said, the sound grating enough to draw the attention of the rest of the room. Mrs. Parsons was nowhere to be seen, and Nathan wondered where she might be, for her poor charge was making quite the fool of herself. He turned back to his mother with a grimace. “I suppose you are right.”
His mother nodded. “I am.” She gave him another encouraging pat. “Why don’t you try to spend the ride with Miss Hughs? I know you usually enjoy galloping ahead with His Highness during these things, but this may be a splendid opportunity to talk to her.”
“I believe I shall,” he said, having already decided on such before their conversation. Whilst they certainly wouldn’t be able to discuss the matter of their relationship so openly, he could at least make himself available as charming company and perhaps lighten the air between the two of them. One thing was for certain, however. If he was to make any progress with Miss Hughs, he would have to tell her he’d already given up on the bet. Whether she believed him was another story entirely, but Nathan would cross that bridge when he came to it.
