Page 136 of Rakes & Reticules
While it may not have been obvious to others, including Sarah herself, Samuel knew how deeply in love the late Lord Thornsbee had been with the woman who lay crying on his settee. “I’ve been a terrible friend to you, Sarah. Knowing how much Patrick loved you, I should have…”
“I know you all too well, Samuel, and while others may well assume you would take responsibility for me in Patrick’s stead since you and I are close and you share many of Patrick’s finer qualities, we both know we are ill suited. A union between us would only result in misery.” Sarah pushed herself up and rolled to her feet to face him. “It’s getting late, and seeing as it is apparent we shall not come to an agreement upon how you can best obtain Lady Hazel’s favor, I shall retire for the eve. But if you should need my assistance at all this Season, please do not hesitate to call upon me.”
Samuel ushered Sarah to the ducal coach awaiting her and said, “My thanks for your efforts and care. I’m honored to have your support.”
She stopped before entering the coach and raised the back of her gloved hand to her eyes. “You probably have no inkling of how proud Patrick would be of you, but I can assure you, there is no other more deserving to be the Viscount Thornsbee.”
Sarah’s words of confidence demolished Samuel’s defenses and a wave of anxiety that he had been suppressing since his cousin’s death crashed down upon him. “I appreciate your kind words, and I have to beg to disagree, or the Earl of Bixley would have given me his blessing to marry his sister.”
Sarah reached out and took his hand in both of hers. “Bixley is a fool, and you will be one too if you let Lady Hazel marry another. Make haste and ask her directly to marry you.”
“A proposal would be rather sudden, appear rash and insincere.”
“Not if you are completely honest with her.” Sarah gave his hand a tight squeeze and then entered the coach.
He watched the coach roll away until it was out of sight. Sarah was right, he needed to be honest with Hazel. He’d call upon her tomorrow and explain everything.
* * *
Having wrestledwith how to woo Hazel all night, Samuel rose early and ventured to the flower market early to select a bundle of blue hydrangeas, her favorite, in the hopes it would put her in a favorable mood to listen to his confession. As his coach rolled to a stop in front of Bixley’s townhome, Samuel grabbed the blooms resting on the seat and hopped out, only to discover he wasn’t the only gentleman intending to call upon Hazel this morn. The Marquess of Middleton, the Earl of Hurlington, and even the Duke of Whistlestop were all making their way up the path to Bixley’s front door. What in the blazes had happened at the ball last night?
Last Season he had been the only brave soul to call upon Hazel. Word that Richard would financially ruin anyone who dared to offend or hurt his sister had spread like wildfire amongst his peers. The rumor had effectively eliminated any fortune hunters but it also had discouraged many that didn’t question Richard’s ability to see to it that they landed in dun territory.
He fell into line behind the Earl of Hurlington and approached the entrance.
Over his shoulder, Lord Hurlington nodded and said, “A good morn to you, Thornsbee.”
“Hurlington.” Samuel lengthened his stride so he would be shoulder-to-shoulder with the man that most considered a veritable rogue. How long had Richard left Hazel unaccompanied last night?
“I couldn’t help but notice you were missing from Lady Hazel’s side, unlike last Season.” Hurlington’s lopsided grin, which most ladies found irresistible, had the opposite effect upon Samuel, inciting anger. He focused on relaxing his fingers that were wound tightly around the stems of the flowers that he had so carefully selected. Unwilling to allow Hurlington to divert his attention from his purpose this morning, he quickened his stride and waltzed past the Bixley butler who held the door open for the line of gentlemen queued to enter.
He entered the morning room that was already filled with gentlemen and positioned himself next to the window. If Hazel had garnered this much attention after one night of his absence, there was no way he’d be leaving her side again for the rest of the Season. He’d stick to her like a burr if necessary.
A collective groan echoed through the room at Richard’s appearance.
“I’m here to apologize on my sister’s behalf. She will not be receiving this morn.” Hazel’s brother scanned the occupants of the room and then settled his gaze upon Samuel. “No need for concern, Hazel is simply overtired.” Richard stepped to the side, waving his hand in a manner that clearly communicated that he wished for his guests to head back toward the foyer.
One by one, the gentlemen filed out of the room.
Samuel joined the long line but paused to stop in front of Richard and said, “It appears you will have more than me to deal with this Season. Any regrets?”
“None.” Richard’s features remained emotionless, but the twitch of the man’s jaw muscle told Samuel that Hazel’s brother was far more anxious than he wanted others to know.
Samuel shoved the bouquet of flowers into Richard’s chest. “Please inform Hazel that I shall see her at Radcliff’s soiree, later this eve.”
“I thought the Radcliff gathering was to be a rather private affair.”
“It is.” Nose to nose, Samuel stared directly at Richard and added, “While you may continue to question my sincerity, others do not.” He was done trying to placate Richard.
After spending a summer apart from Hazel, Samuel knew for a fact that he was a better man when he was in her company than not. He simply needed to speak with the woman to set matters straight. Tonight would be his best opportunity before the other wolves in the pack attempted to steal her away from him.
Arms crossed over his chest, Richard replied, “I shall pass along your message…along with Hurlington’s request for a drive in the park, the duke’s invitation to dinner, and—”
Hazel’s brother ceased speaking as Samuel raised a hand and motioned for the man to stop. He didn’t want to hear of his rivals’ plans to woo Hazel. Without a backward glance, Samuel left Richard and stomped back out to his coach. He was going to have to strike before the others could, and tonight was his chance—he was going to convince Hazel to become the Viscountess of Thornsbee or die trying.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Fingers gripped tightly about the panel of material she hid behind, Hazel peered out the window as the gentlemen walked out to their awaiting vehicles. After attempting and miserably failing to strike up conversations with the gentlemen present at the ball last eve, Hazel was surprised when a string of callers appeared this morn, until she remembered that the Duke of Whistlestop had agreed to assist her. What had she inadvertently got herself involved in?
