Page 18 of Her Infuriating Earl
“Blue,” he said, hearing the uncertainty in his voice.
“And her hair?” Caroline asked, much too sweetly.
His mind conjured visions of silky, mahogany curls swept into a high bun, encircled by a frayed green ribbon that the woman in his mind had carefully removed and wrapped around a bouquet of flowers, so they would not droop. Her eyes flashed into his thoughts again, glittering with unspent tears, and that agonizing, wistful smile on her lips as she had gently caressed the petals of the bright tulips. Yet, once again, he could not muster a single thought of Joanna.
“Brown,” he decided, though what shade of brown was anyone’s guess.
Amelia expelled a strained breath. “It took you that long to remember she has brown hair?”
“I was trying to think of the right word,” he protested, knowing full well that his mother would not believe his white lie. Not a jot of it.
Caroline, meanwhile, seemed disappointed. “Is there nothing else you can tell us about her? If you are holding this party for her, then there must be something about her that has captivated you.”
But Daniel could only think about Phoebe and all he had seen during his visit to her residence a week ago. He remembered the panic that had brimmed in those haunting eyes when he asked her if she had ever done anything for herself, allowed herself that gift. He remembered how easily she had spoken of business matters, as though it was something effortlessly familiar to her. He remembered the way she had stared at his hand on her arm—an action so involuntary that he did not know why he had done it. All he knew was that the moment she turned her back to him, he had wanted her to look at him again. Had needed it, in a moment of pure madness.
It is because she is the gatekeeper to my objective, that is all.
“I know that look,” Amelia said slyly. “Youhavethought of something captivating about her. Come, do not be shy—tell us.”
He leaned forward in his chair, his forearms resting on his thighs. “She is… well connected to those we already know, and I am certain that you will like her very much, Caro.”
It dawned on him that he knew almost nothing about Joanna, for though they had conversed, he could not recall much of what had been said. He vaguely remembered that she liked to hear poetry and that she abhorred the opera, but aside from that, his mind was empty of any knowledge about her.
“Goodness,” Amelia said, laughing, “are you certain you are interested in this girl at all?”
I am interested in the simplicity and the swiftness with which I can turn this into a marriage. I am interested in this riskless speculation,he wanted to say.
Instead, he murmured, “I am tired. I have journeyed for hours on end, in pursuit of the finest beverages. Once I have brought in the remainder and have rested awhile, I shall think of something to satisfy your mutual curiosity.”
“Areyou certain you are interested in this girl?” Amelia repeated, her tone turning more serious.
Daniel sighed. “Of course, I am. As you said, I am not one to overlook details or rush matters, and that is why I am having this party, so that I maygetto know her better. All I am certain of is that she is a… pleasant woman and a fine choice for courtship and, with any luck, marriage. Is that not what you have been desperate for, for years?”
“Well, I would not say ‘desperate,’ but I have been eager to see youhappilymarried.” Amelia put some definite emphasis on the word “happily,” her doubts as clear as day. “Of course, I shall welcome the girl into this house with open arms, and if she is your favored choice, I shall not quibble.”
There was a poignant “but” hanging in the air, yet his mother did not continue, leaving it unsaid.
Daniel lurched to his feet, his thighs and back aching. “Now, my dearest ladies, there is far too much gossiping and not nearly enough working, and we do not have much time until some of the guests start arriving and asking for their chambers.” He clapped his hands together. “Chop-chop!”
He made to leave, eager to draw in a gulp of fresh air to ease the strain in his chest and to cool the heat in his face, but before he could, his mother called him back.
“Will Phoebe be attending?” she asked.
“I expect so,” he replied stiffly. “She has been given an invitation, and she rarely goes anywhere without her sisters, so it would be rather peculiar if she did not.”
His mother seemed pleased. “Excellent. I do hope she will be here. I remember her very fondly. Indeed, if the sister you favor is anything like her, then she must have impeccable manners, a generous spirit, and be able to provide exemplary, entertaining company. There, I have already conjured several lovely traits for you, and I do not even know the girl! That was not so hard, now, was it?”
Daniel smiled secretly, for those traits of Phoebe’s were almost the exact opposite when she was around him. Everyone received her charm and gentleness except for him. Now that he thought about it, it hardly seemed fair… though he could not claim to be any better behaved when he was around her.
Caroline let out a little yelp of excitement. “I simply cannot wait to have all of the Spinsters’ Club here again! I have missed them so!”
“Do not call them that,” Amelia chided playfully. “It is most unkind.”
“It is what they call themselves, Mama,” Caroline insisted, with an amused roll of her eyes. “Oh, it shall be wonderful! I shall be able to pretend like I am one of them, though I promise I will not touch a drop of anything potent. It will be ginger beer or lemonade for me. You did get the lemonade, did you not?”
Daniel nodded. “Of course, and a small surprise for you, dear Caro, to wear with your new gown.”
His mind flitted back to Phoebe once more, as if his own brain had turned on him, delighting in his discomfort. He saw her standing between the pillars, golden sunlight streaming down, highlighting the discreet repairs to the day dress she must have been wearing for years so that her sisters could shine. Yet, she had been the only one who kept drawing his eye.
