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“Your uncle was only interested in me because his ‘great rival’ was,” Aunt Elizabeth told them, releasing Mary’s hands and grinning widely with amusement. “Baron Huss. The two of them were constantly at odds. I had no interest in the baron, but I fell in love with Henry almost immediately and he with me, no matter that he had only approached me to annoy Huss. He had not intended to marry that Season.” She shrugged, and both Arabella and Mary giggled.
Hmm, put that way, it did not sound so bad. At least her mission to find a husband this Season was well underway. Whether this would help or hinder her investigations remained to be seen.
Rex
Arriving promptly on the hour, Rex was amused to find both Hood brothers in residence when he knocked on the door. Walter had more reason to frown than his older brother did, though. Walterknewwhat Rex got up to, while Thomas only suspected.
“Hartford.”
“Hood.”
“There you are!” Arabella’s delighted tones drifted down the stairway as she hurried down to meet him, causing the older Hood brother to scowl. Rex thought Walter looked a touch relieved. It must be a hard position to be in, wanting to defend his cousin to someone who knew his great secret. He would have to reassure Walter that nothing between himself and Miss Wilson would affect Walter’s standing with the Society, and that he would be upfront with Miss Wilson before she agreed to marry him.
Lord Thomas would receive no such reassurances. He likely would not believe them, anyway, and it was much more fun not to give them.
“Lady Arabella.” Rex bowed as she came to a halt before him. Taking her hand, he lifted it to his lips for a kiss. Her husband growled under his breath and stepped forward to put his arm around her waist, although he refrained from actually physically pulling her away. “A pleasure as always.”
“Mary is just about ready,” she told him gleefully in a manner that made his wariness rise. “Wait ’til you see her!”
About to reassure Arabella he was looking forward to just that, movement at the top of the stairs caught his attention. Looking up, the words flew out of his head.
Dear Lord.
It was as if the version of Miss Wilson he had only met privately had suddenly taken physical form. Certainly, she had never been outfitted this smartly with the clear intent to draw the eye. The dress hugged her curves, every line of it perfectly fitted to her stature. Her hair was pulled back, curls spilling down the back of her coiffure, a hat perched precariously before them, the ends of a bronze ribbon hanging down to brush against her shoulder. Her skin and hair seemed to glow against the fabric, her eyes blazingly bright, and lips pinkly perfect.
Rex stared up at her, mouth hanging slightly open in stunned admiration before Arabella giggled and brought him back to himself. He quickly realized he was not the only one so affected—both of the Hood brothers were staring at their cousin as if they had never seen her. She might not be a Diamond of the First Water, but she was the epitome of an English Rose and a Pocket Venus, rolled into one.
People were going to notice.
Which she deserved, much as he disliked the thought. If she had any evening gowns of this caliber, she was likely to cause a stampede at the next ball she attended, especially once it became known he was courting her. Rex didn’t fool himself. He knew his interest in her would beget more interest. He had not expected her to change her stripes so quickly, though.
It was not until Miss Wilson cast an appealing look at Arabella, he realized she was uncomfortable with the sudden silence and scrutiny. From the satisfaction on Viscountess Hood’s face, walking up behind Miss Wilson to look down at the assemblage, he felt fairly certain the Viscountess and Arabella had more to do with Miss Wilson’s new appearance than Miss Wilson herself.
“Gorgeous,” Arabella said immediately, clapping her hands. Thomas Hood grunted as his wife’s elbow dug into his side. “You look even more splendid out here in the hall, Mary.”
As the Hood brothers added their own compliments, Rex moved past them to the bottom of the staircase so he could meet her, his gaze never leaving hers. A tiny blush pinked her cheeks by the time she reached him, and she bit her lower lip nervously. Taking her hand in his, Rex bowed over it.
“You are an English rose in bloom,” he said sincerely, surprising himself with the poetry of his words, a pastime which had ever appealed to him. He was rewarded when the flush on her cheeks spread, and the wariness in her expression receded. On the stairs above her, the Viscountess nodded her approval.
“Thank you.” The quiet candor of her gratitude tugged at something in Rex’s chest.
“Shall we?” he asked, turning so he could transfer her hand to his arm. Giving Miss Wilson’s cousins a regal nod and Arabella a wink, he escorted Miss Wilson out the door to his curricle, a strange feeling of triumph pulsing through him.
Mary
The magnificent pair of greys harnessed to Hartford’s curricle could only hold Mary’s attention—and the conversation—for so long before they fell to a slightly uncomfortable silence. At least, she felt uncomfortable while he seemed to be perfectly content, although he did have the driving to focus on. The horses were so well trained, they could not be taking upallof his attention.
Sitting next to him, with no conversation, she could not help noticing how much of the seat he took up, his thigh pressing against the side of hers, his elbow moving against her arm as he handled the reins. Every part of her body felt extra sensitive in his presence, little prickles moving over her skin, especially where they touched.
She neededsomekind of conversation to distract herself from her body’s unnerving reaction.
“What is your club called?” She tilted her head toward him, watching his profile. One edge of his lip quirked, but that was his only reaction.
“Which club?”
“You know which club.” The words came out almost accusingly, and he chuckled.
“You mean the club you are not supposed to know about?”
