Page 134 of Rakes & Reticules
He turned to face Lady Sarah, the woman who he hadn’t dared speak to in over a year. Lady Sarah had been his late cousin’s love, the woman Patrick had been rushing toward when he perished.
Lady Sarah added, “I see you are no longer hiding behind Lady Hazel’s skirts.”
He couldn’t help but return the teasing smile he’d so often received from Lady Sarah, who had always treated him like a younger brother. “I was in plain sight all last Season.”
“You were avoiding me.” Lady Sarah looped her arm around his and continued, “Let’s take a stroll about the room and chat, shall we?”
He shouldn’t have ignored the woman his cousin had intended to wed, he should have protected her in Patrick’s stead. But Samuel knew Lady Sarah all too well and his familiar image, so similar to Patrick’s, would have caused her more pain than he would wish upon his darkest enemy.
He emerged from his thoughts at the light tap of Lady Sarah’s fan against his arm. “Pray explain your peculiar behavior this eve.”
Simultaneously Samuel said, “I was formulating an appropriate apology.”
Lady Sarah arched her left brow at him. “An apology?” She raised onto her tiptoes in Hazel’s direction. “Hmmm… yes, it does appear you have fallen from Lady Hazel’s good graces. Although based on the bond the two of you formed last Season, I suspect she’d happily forget any of your trespasses if you simply utter three words every woman longs to hear from the man they wish to marry.”
“I wasn’t preparing to apologize to Hazel, even though I probably should. Actually, I was attempting to piece together the words necessary to convey toyoumy regrets for not…”
“Hush.” Lady Sarah shook her head. “I have no wish to marry you in Patrick’s stead. However, I’ve been watching you from the shadows, and I wanted you to know how proud I am of you and share that Patrick would have been too.”
Lady Sarah’s words of praise released the two-ton burden he’d been carrying about with him. He wanted to hug the woman who he had always considered like an older sister, but now was neither the time nor the place. “Are you certain?”
“I’m resolute in not desiring to become Viscountess Thornsbee now that you hold the title…but I am banking onthatbluestocking to fill the role.” Lady Sarah stared in Hazel’s direction.
“I am too. But I’ve a suspicion it will take more than a bundle of flowers and a string of pretty words from me in order for Hazel to forgive me and love me once more.”
“Then I shall assist you.” Lady Sarah steered him in the direction of the foyer.
“But I’m not ready to retire for the eve.”
“We need to devise a plan, and your study is more conducive for such an activity.” Lady Sarah frowned as she looked over her shoulder back through the open ballroom doors. “Do you think Lady Hazel is the jealous type?”
“No, why do you ask?”
“Because normally when a woman sees the man she’s in love with leave with another woman, they get jealous, but Lady Hazel’s expression didn’t falter, not even a little bit. I found that rather peculiar.”
“She has a rather aloof exterior, but once you get to know her, you’ll find that Lady Hazel is the exact opposite. She’s caring, empathetic, understanding, best of all, extremely passionate.”
“Says the man whose head over heels in love with the woman. But if that is truly the case, we need a plan or you might lose her to another.”
CHAPTERFIVE
Ire roared through Hazel as Samuel left the ball with the elegant and beautiful Lady Sarah, who had also been declared a diamond of the first water in her debut Season. Hazel admired Lady Sarah. Unlike herself, Lady Sarah had garnered the support and kindness of the other ladies, and for good reason. Lady Sarah was a generous woman who exuded confidence that Hazel could only dream of possessing. As if she weren’t already jealous of the woman, Hazel found herself even more so, wishing she was the one being escorted home by Samuel.
Her view of the two most interesting people on the room was obstructed by none other than the Duke of Whistlestop who bowed before her and said, “A good evening to you, Lady Hazel.”
“And to you, Your Grace.” Hazel sank into a deep curtsy and silently cursed Daphne as she spied her friend’s skirts flutter as Daphne sank back into the crowd, making a hasty retreat. Blast, left alone to deal with the dashing rake, Hazel quickly scanned the room to make sure Richard had not yet returned. With her brother nowhere in sight, she exhaled slowly before rolling her shoulders back, ready to take advantage of the chance to practice engaging in idle conversation that she no doubt would be required to maintain this Season if she really intended to find herself a husband.
If Samuel had taught her anything last Season, it was the importance of making eye contact when speaking. The eyes were the windows to one’s soul. She slowly raised her chin and when her gaze met the duke’s, her breath caught in her chest. Stunning green eyes bore down on her, banishing all thoughts from her mind. Blast. She had been overconfident. The Duke of Whistlestop was an entirely different breed of rake from Samuel. With a quick shake of the head, Hazel refocused on the task at hand and met the man’s intense stare that was nothing short of beguiling. It was no wonder Richard had been so adamant that the duke was on the list of ineligible bachelors. Her senses returned and with them came the realization that while she’d been momentarily blinded by the dashing duke, there was a distinct lack of fluttering in her belly. Those reactions were reserved for one man and one man only, who had left with another woman on his arm.
With a twinkle of mischief in his eyes, the Duke of Whistlestop said, “I’m looking for Thornsbee. Do you happen to know where I might find him?”
“Why would you presume I have knowledge of your friend’s whereabouts?”
“Since the pair of you were rarely seen in any other’s company last Season...”
Before the man could say more Hazel interjected, “I’d caution you not to make such assumptions.” The surprise on the duke’s face was laughable and defused some of the tension in the air. Feeling more relaxed, Hazel grinned and took pity on the man whose mouth was still agape. “Lord Thornsbee left with Lady Sarah upon his arm.”
The Duke of Whistledown scanned the room and then frowned down at her. “Are you sure it was Lady Sarah?”
