Page 14 of Charming the Accidental Suitor
And that knave Everson actually had the nerve to laugh.
“Quite,” Albright managed. Only then did he turn his gaze to Felicity.
Her eyes were dancing with amusement, and her lips were quirked up in a smile that was at once infuriating and…adorable.
He drew in a sharp inhale. No, not adorable. He could not find Miss Felicity McGovern adorable. She was not the sort of lady he ought to be admiring.
If anything, he ought to be irritated with the girl for putting herself in harm’s way.
And hewas, blast it all.
A silence fell and the air seemed to grow thick and heavy as Felicity held his gaze. There was no defiance there, and no shame either. But her eyes seemed to lock with his, a whole conversation taking place between them with a simple look.
Until Everson spoke up. “I was just telling Felicity?—”
“Felicity,” Albright interrupted. He shot a dark look in Everson’s direction. “Are you so well acquainted then?”
“Well, that is…” Everson chuckled. “The young lady asked me to use her given name.”
“Indeed, I did,” Felicity said brightly. “We were just discussing Mr. Everson’s newfound friendship with my great uncle. Which of course means thatweshould be friends. Don’t you agree, Mr. Everson?”
Everson looked positively delighted. And Albright was almost certain he caught a hint of triumph in the younger man’s eyes as he returned her smile. “That is correct, Felicity. It would be my honor to call you friend.”
Albright nearly choked on a surge of anger. The impertinent upstart. First using his friendship with the Earl’s deceased brother to ingratiate himself with Marlin…
And now this.
Now Felicity.
Everyone knew Felicity was an heiress with an enviable dowry, and she’d said herself she’d be next on his list. His gaze darted back to Felicity, looking for…
What? A flicker of disdain at this money hungry social climber? Some hint of fear that he might have ill intentions? Helooked for any sign of discontent in her expression, but Felicity seemed pleased as could be.
He took a deep breath and forced some semblance of calm into his tone as he addressed Everson. “Might I have a word with Miss McGovern?”
Everson looked to Felicity, as if he needed her permission to be left alone with Albright. His jaw tightened. As ifhewere the threat here.
Felicity gave a gracious nod and a meaningful look around them at the couples gathered about. They wouldn’t be alone, and she was in no danger.
Albright wanted to shout.
Which was…alarming. He prided himself on his even temper. His friends often relied on him to be the voice of reason, the quiet in a storm of quick tempers and loud laughter.
So what was it about Miss Felicity McGovern that made him turn into the storm itself?
“Was there something you wished to discuss, my lord?” she murmured when Everson stepped away.
“Yes, I…” He came to a stop, all at once remembering why he’d meant to seek her out in the first place. “I’d meant to apologize.”
She arched a brow with some wariness at his unapologetic tone. “Oh?”
“Yes. But I’m not entirely sure I feel that urge any longer.”
She pressed her lips together, entirely too amused by his displeasure. “I’m sorry to hear that. I am certain that if the great and charming Lord Albright is capable of anything, it is the most eloquent and charming of apologies.”
“Charming,” he repeated. “You said that twice.”
“Once is not enough when it comes to the charming Lord Albright.”
