Page 137 of Rakes & Reticules
Richard barged into her room and came to stand next to her. He didn’t even spare her a glance. Instead, he too stared down at the street where the men were departing. “Dear sister,” he said. “I’m certain you have a reasonable explanation as to why every eligible bachelor in town with a questionable background decided to appear on our doorstep today; however, I’m not in the mood to hear it.”
“I…Well, actually…”
Her brother raised a hand and stalled her from continuing. With eyes that were filled with regret, her brother turned to face her and asked, “Are you not happy living here with me?”
“Whatever gave you the impression I was unhappy?”
“It would appear you are rather determined to wed and leave me. So eager in fact that you are willing to accept the suit of every reprobate in town.”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to say I wasthatinterested in all the gentlemen who were kind enough to call upon me today. However, it was rather nice…”
Once again her brother interrupted her. “It pains me to say this, but I miss the days when I had only to deal with Thornsbee.” Richard pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s plan on getting some fresh air this afternoon. Rakes are rarely seen taking a stroll in the park. If you are indeed intent on finding a husband this Season, I shall endeavor to assist you in finding one.”
An image of the Duke of Whistlestop came to mind, and along with it his predicament of an arranged marriage. Hazel smiled up at her brother and replied, “I don’t want to bother you. I know you already have a full schedule.”
Richard gripped her by the shoulders. “You are never a burden to me.”
He sounded sincere, but the fact was, Richard had been forced to become her guardian at the tender age of fifteen. Her brother never once complained and continually indulged her wish to remain close, allowing her to sit in on his lessons, which fostered her love for knowledge. But she was of age to marry now, it was time for her to cut ties and become the lady over a household of her own.
She smiled up at her brother, who was still waiting for a response. “Then I shall agree to accompany you to the park later this afternoon. Mayhap you might even consider asking some lovely lady to promenade with you.”
“I’ve no intentions of marrying anytime soon. But if it is truly your wish to marry, then as your brother, I have an obligation to see to it that your wish comes true.”
All Hazel heard was the wordobligationwhich sent an arrow straight through her heart. The sooner she found a potential suitor the better.
Amid sunshine defused by the clouds, Hazel walked alongside her brother, hands free of an umbrella, and inhaled the fresh air. “It’s been a while since we’ve ventured outside for a stroll.”
Richard nodded to a group of ladies passing them on the left before releasing a deep sigh. “I’ve been remiss of late, and I apologize.”
Guilt was the last emotion Hazel wished for her brother to experience. They both had experienced too much of it over the years. “Please don’t apologize. You have done your best to manage all the demands placed upon you.”
“My best hasn’t been good enough.” Richard may be exacting, but he was hardest upon himself.
Hazel fiddled with the corner of the ridicule that hung from her wrist. A comfort habit to soothe her anxiety. “Is it that you failed or simply that I’ve become a disappointment?”
He stopped dead in his tracks and said, “Hazel Camilia Arbor, don’t you ever spout such nonsense again.”
Lucky for Hazel, the Duke of Whistlestop, Lord Hurlington, and Samuel appeared before Richard could launch into a lecture.
“Ahhh…how fortunate, it's the lovely Lady Hazel.” Lord Hurlington’s beaming smile would have melted any other lady’s heart, but it was Samuel’s smirk that set Hazel’s heart thumping against her ribs.
Hazel placed her fingers in Lord Hurlington’s outreached palm, dipped into a curtsy and said, “A pleasure to see you again, my lord.”
The dark scowls Lord Hurlington received from both Richard and Samuel might have sent a lesser man running with fear. However, rather than retreating, the rake seemed to be struck by curiosity, his lips curved into a grin he darted his gaze between the two men. Lord Hurlington was no fool. He retracted his hand and firmly clasped both hands behind his back.
Richard nodded to the Duke of Whistlestop and greeted, “Your Grace.”
“Bixley.” The duke returned her brother’s cool greeting and then added, “It’s a lovely day for a stroll.”
Stiff lipped, Richard replied, “It is. Please do not stop on our account.”
She shouldn’t have hoped Samuel had somehow altered Richard’s bias against rakes, but Samuel was proof that rakes could reform.
“I was wondering if you would grant me the honor to promenade with Lady Hazel for a spell.”
Wanting to clarify matters with the duke, Hazel swiveled to face her brother and pleaded with her eyes to allow her to speak with His Grace in private.
With a nod, Richard said, “Go on. I’ll follow behind.”
