Page 10 of A Night of Forever
Her lips twisted wryly. “Hence the reason there are so many guards around. I suspect Sealey finds the situation very exciting.”
No sooner had she crossed the threshold when Sealey came racing toward her. “Auntie Isobel,” he cried as he flung his arms round her skirts. “Are you here to take me to the park?”
In that moment she forgot the dark, brooding man beside her. Totally caught up in the little boy’s smile, she ruffled his curls on top of Sealey’s head.
Before she could reply, Sealey turned to Lord Labourd. “Are you coming with us, sir?”
Isobel’s heart sank. Goodness, she hoped not. She’d never be able to relax with Labourd walking beside her. Although…
To her surprise he flashed a brilliant grin at the young boy. “I think a stroll in the fresh air would be lovely.” He regarded her over Sealey’s head. “I confess I wish to have a word with Lady Isobel.”
Why did that sentence sound so ominous?
Did he expect her to object? She had reasons of her own to want to be in his company. Well, he was in for a surprise. “Excellent idea, my lord.”
The wary look that slid into his eyes was worth every second of the next uncomfortable hour she’d have to spend with him. Already she was aware of her uneasy stomach as it flipped and flopped, both excited and fearful of spending time in his company.
Being close to him in daylight was just as seductive as seeing him at the ball. His shoulders filled out his dark navy coat to perfection, while his buff breeches and polished Hessian boots molded to his long, powerful legs. Victoria was right: Lord Labourd was an exceedingly desirable man. But an exceedingly desirable husband? Definitely not.
Ten minutes later, the large party left Evangeline’s townhouse for the short stroll to the park. Isobel did not need a chaperone. Accompanied by Wendy, who was Sealey’s nanny, and ten burly Bow Street Runners, they were hardly alone. The sight they made must rival the circus.
It had been an unusually brisk summer, but the day was overcast, and wispy clouds covered the true heat of the sun. The park itself was busy. Isobel noted several raised eyebrows when people saw who was accompanying her. Just last night, thetonhad concluded Lord Labourd had set his cap at Lady Cassandra. His presence in the company of a second debutante today indicated Lord Labourd was indeed on the marriage hunt.
The thought made her smile. “You are causing quite a stir, my lord.”
“Arend,” he said quietly. “Please, call me Arend.”
Her mouth dried, but she nodded. “Arend, I’m…” She faltered on his name, the word sounding breathy even to her ears, and that would not do. She cleared her throat, and spoke more decidedly. “I’m afraid you have set the tongues wagging.”
At his look of confusion, she continued, “You have paid attention to two debutantes—Lady Cassandra in the ballroom, and me in the park. Everyone now assumes you are hunting a wife.”
His shoulder jerked, then relaxed. The smooth gaze he turned her way, and its blatantly assessing look, unsettled her. “Perhaps the gossips have understood the situation perfectly.”
She swallowed back her shock.
“However,” he continued, “they misunderstand. There is only one debutante I’m interested in. Remember, it was you with whom I tried to dance last night, if you recall.”
He was playing false. Only a short while ago he’d had the chance to get to know her. But he’d barely spoken to her during their long carriage ride home. He’d merely thrown question after question at her to gather information that she did not have.
It took all her strength to look away from his compelling face. It was the countenance of a man who didn’t cater to anyone, utterly compelling in his sensuality. His lean, hard masculine appeal shouted danger. The smoldering intensity of his regard made her knees quiver. She could not understand why the air of menace that surrounded him added to his appeal.
He wanted something from her, and it wasn’t her hand in marriage.
She usually did not like risk of any kind, did not crave it at all. The very idea of danger turned her nerves to quivering jelly and made her want to run and hide. This man posed a real threat to her—to her safety, to her comfort. She wasn’t certain she was adequately prepared to contend with a man like Arend, Baron Labourd.
Her throat closed up.
“Nothing to say?” he said, his tone light, teasing.
She looked across the park to where Sealey was running and considered her answer. Time to turn the tables. “I’m surprised,” she said eventually. “Puzzled. You have never shown yourself particularly interested in me. In fact, I believed when you escorted me home after the carriage incident a month ago, you could barely tolerate my presence.”
Her comment did not unsettle him as she’d hoped it would.
He merely shrugged. “I apologize if my behavior conveyed disinterest. In my defense, I was worried about Lady Marisa, and about capturing the person responsible.”
That was indeed true. “But you have not yet apprehended the culprit, have you?”
Anger scored his mouth. “No. Not yet.”
