Page 20 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
“I understand the men arriving tomorrow are acquaintances of your brother.I doubt they would do anything to cause you distress, or your brother would pulverize them.”
“Yes, I believe he would.”Annette laughed, wondering if Lord Weston would have liked to do the same to the vicar.
“Well, let’s have a hearty breakfast to prepare for round two, shall we?”He winked at her, kicked his horse lightly, and sent him into a canter.Annette did the same, lingering behind to watch his muscular form.She’d prefer a hearty helping of a certain viscount.
CHAPTER9
They were just finishing breakfast with Beecham and Lady Henney when the butler announced Lord Page and his guests had arrived.Andrew was surprised to see Lady Annette bolt from her chair—which wobbled and would have hit the floor if Andrew hadn’t caught it—and throw herself into the arms of her brother.
“Lucius, I’ve missed you so!”
Lucius had just made it from the entryway into the breakfast room when he caught Lady Annette and spun her around.“My sweet sister, I’ve missed you as well.And I’ve brought along some admirers.”
Two more men joined them as Page set his sister back on her feet.One was tall and lean with reddish hair and blue eyes.The other was of medium height but more muscular with blond hair and brown eyes.“May I introduce Mr.Hawkesbury,” Lucius said, indicating the taller man, “and Mr.Fitzjames.You’ve both met my father, Lord Beecham.This is my father’s fiancé, Lady Henney, and his good friend Viscount Weston.”
Lady Annette’s eyes widened.“You know Lord Weston?”
“Of course, we’ve met at the club with Father when the Lords are in session,” he answered, turning back to his friends.“And this is my lovely and inquisitive sister, Lady Annette.”
She held out her hand.“It is a pleasure, sirs.”
Andrew recognized the names.Hawkesbury’s father was an earl, and Fitzjames’s was a viscount.Both good families as Beecham had said they would be.So why did his jaw tighten as the men approached the table and bowed over Lady Annette’s hand?Bollocks!He had no reason to be jealous.The men were here for the purpose of courting her.Get hold of yourself, nodcock.
Beecham had quit the table to give his son a slapping hug and shake hands with his new guests.“Welcome!Am I a day off or are you a day early?Doesn’t matter, we’ve plenty of room.”
“I wanted to send word but figured I’d get here on the tail of the messenger, so we thought to surprise you,” Lucius explained, bending over Lady Henney’s hand.“Ma’am, it’s always a pleasure.”
She blushed.“You get your charm from your father.”
“That’s why you love me so,” he teased.
Andrew had seen the vicar and his sister leave early that morning.Observing the nextparade participants, he had to admit they were an improvement.Both were fine-looking men and miles above the last would-be suitor.They would also know how close Lucius was to his sister and endeavor not to hurt her.
A tiny voice echoed in his ear.Mine.He shook his head and pushed the thought from his mind.
Fitzjames and Hawkesbury were shown to their rooms and would meet them later.The plan was to go skating in the afternoon.It had snowed overnight, providing a thin layer of white to cover the ground, the temperature just cold enough to freeze the water on the low-lying fields.
“I’m afraid I didn’t bring any skates.Is it safe to assume there are extra sets?”asked Andrew.He had hoped to avoid this particular adventure; it had been years since he’d tried it.But he’d be demmed if he would stay behind with Beecham and his fiancée and looktoo oldto participate.
“Of course,” said the earl.“We probably have at least a dozen pairs.We’ve always kept spares for visitors.I believe Alice and I will join you and watch from the carriage.Nothing like an afternoon with a hot toddy, warm bricks at my feet, and a spicy lady at my side.”
“Yes, someone needs to chaperone,” said Lady Henney.“We can’t leave her alone with three young gentlemen, even if one is her brother.”
“So, what am I?A left-over pocket pie?”Andrew realized how petulant he sounded as soon as the words came out of his mouth.He scratched at his neck, a half grin on his face, hoping they would take his words as a jest.
“Oh no,” said the viscountess.“You’re fresh from the oven.Piping hot and ready to be served.”
The woman winked at him.Winkedat him.What was she implying with that vague comparison?Andrew cleared his throat and mumbled something about changing.He could hear his host and the lady’s chuckles as he made his way down the hall.
As Andrew left his room, he saw Lord Page and his friends ahead of him in the hall.He followed them to the billiard room, where Lady Annette was choosing a cue stick.She smiled shyly at the newcomers, then sat in a chair in a corner.She wore a light-green day dress of muslin that made her eyes appear the color of a forest, and her hair was caught up in a loose twist, dark curls spilling down her neck.
He stood against the door, watching the new suitors glance over at Lady Annette.Hawkesbury chose a billiard mace and Fitzjames decided on a cue, like Lady Annette.Lord Page came to stand by Andrew, mischief in his green eyes.
“You look like a cat who just cornered a mouse,” Andrew said, wondering if the men would play each other or if one would ask Lady Annette to play.
“I have a bet going with both of them,” he answered, nodding toward his friends.“A guinea for every game they lose to Nettie.”
Andrew grinned.“She’s that good?”
