Page 10 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
“We’ve recently come from Oxford,” Mr. Garfield said. “We completed our studies only a few months ago.”
Kate nodded, unsurprised by this. The men must still be older than she but they had a sense of immaturity about them that made them seem younger than their years. So far as she could tell, they were sweet, but she’d prefer a more mature, refined man as her husband.
“Are you enjoying London?” she asked.
“We are.” Mr. Garfield extended his hand toward her. “I would enjoy it more if you would grace me with the next dance.”
Kate looked to Lady Carlisle, seeking silent approval. Lady Carlisle gave a subtle nod.
Kate took his hand. “I would enjoy that very much.”
Mr. Garfield led her onto the dance floor. She wondered idly if Sophie would dance with Mr. Bromley but didn’t look around to find out because she didn’t wish to appear rude.
They danced a cotillion, and she quickly realized that Mr. Garfield may be a studious type, but he wasn’t much of a dancer.It was only thanks to her quick footwork that she emerged from their dance with her toes intact. His hand was sweaty where it rested on her dress, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. He was clearly nervous.
She tried to guide him as best she could without making it clear she was taking the lead, but she was relieved that he didn’t try to make conversation and was especially glad to find another gentleman standing with Lady Drake and Lady Carlisle as they approached. She thanked Mr. Garfield for the dance, and he shuffled off, red cheeked, to find his friend.
“Kate,” Lady Drake said, reaching for her daughter. “This is Mr. Marcus Adair, the youngest son of Baron Marwick.”
Mr. Adair smiled, displaying nice teeth. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Katherine. It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t able to make your acquaintance last year. I was staying with my mother in Essex. She was unwell but has since recovered.”
Kate curtsied. “I’m pleased to hear that she’s better now.”
“Mr. Adair rather enjoys the country.” Lady Drake looked thrilled to impart this bit of information. “Apparently his family owns a rather large number of hounds.”
Mr. Adair ducked his head bashfully. “I’m afraid I’m not much for the city. I prefer a vigorous walk through the countryside with canine companionship.”
Interesting. Kate enjoyed both the country and the city. They each held their own appeal. In the country, there were so many beautiful things she could sketch and paint, but in the city, she was able to spend more time with friends and had a wider selection of fabrics and threads available for her needlework and designs.
What did impress her about Mr. Adair was that he obviously had gotten past the impulse to gad about around Town. If he’d ever had a wild streak, it would seem that he left it long behindhim. That appealed to Kate. She didn’t need a great philosopher for a husband, but she would like someone sensible.
“I quite like dogs myself,” she said, offering him a friendly smile. “While I’m not a particularly adventurous sort, I do enjoy painting the landscape.”
“Lady Katherine is a very talented artist,” her mother said, practically beaming.
Kate felt her cheeks heat. “I’m passable, but I do not think anyone would consider me to be exceptional.”
“Perhaps you don’t do yourself justice,” Mr. Adair said with a twinkle in his eye. “Would you like to dance, Lady Katherine?”
Kate graciously accepted his hand and returned to the dance floor. The opening strains of a waltz began, and Mr. Adair guided her into position with the ease of a man accustomed to dancing. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as he settled a warm hand on the small of her back. The fabric of her skirt swished around her calves, tickling the sensitive skin there.
It took less than ten seconds to confirm her initial theory. Mr. Adair was an exquisite dancer. She barely had to think as she let him steer her around the dance floor, moving effortlessly between other dancing couples without coming anywhere near to treading on her feet.
“What do you like to do other than paint?” he asked before spinning her out and then in again.
“I enjoy sketching.” She searched his gaze for any hint of disapproval. The last thing she wanted was to be stuck with a man who looked down on her hobbies. When she found none there, she continued, “I also do needlework and design some of my own dresses.” That last part came out in a rush as she was anxious to learn how he’d react.
He grinned. “What a useful skill for a young lady to have.”
That was all. No comment on the appropriateness of an earl’s sister doing work usually left to commoners. Excellent.
“Other than walking in the country, what activities do you like to participate in?” she asked, keen to know more about him.
A man stumbled somewhere behind her, bumping into her, and Mr. Adair’s arm curled protectively around her.
“We breed horses,” he said. “I have been known to race a time or two.”
“How exciting.” He was definitely someone who would prefer to have a primary residence in the country. It was just as well he was the third son and not required to attend parliament.
