Page 29 of Snowbound with the Earl
“I hope someone sells hot tea,” Noelle said. “It’s freezing outside.” Soon, she followed the other ladies out of the dining room and returned to her bedchamber to don appropriate outerwear. Just before noon Lady Dorsey announced that the fair was ready, and the guests gathered in the foyer. Noelle didn’t expect to see Graham but was pleasantly surprised when he smiled up at her as she descended the stairs. In his charcoal greatcoat and a black scarf, with his tall hat tucked under his arm, he cut an imposing figure. She hardly noticed anyone else. But when she reached the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Turlington stepped before her and offered his arm.
“May I escort you, my lady?”
Well, she could hardly say no. She shot Graham a disappointed look, but he shrugged and offered his arm to Mrs. Edmonton. The party set out, and Noelle was pleased to see the sun shone down on the sparkling snow. Though the temperature was well below freezing, she was warm enough with the heat of the sun, her thick pelisse, and her hands tucked securely into her muff. Turlington chatted about nothing as they followed Lord and Lady Dorsey to the pond. Ahead of her, Lord Jersey escorted Miss Halifax. Noelle wished Graham was at her side so she could point out the couple and perhaps scheme ways to ensure the two spent more time together.
But she had her own challenges with Turlington. He stayed at her side no matter what she did or where she went. When she joined Eva in browsing the stalls, Turlington followed her. When the other men ventured out onto the pond to push the ladies in sledges, Turlington stayed at Noelle’s side as she sipped hot tea, even though there were not enough gentlemen for all the ladies hoping for a ride. Noelle watched Graham push Miss Rummage and Miss Edmonton while Lord Jersey pushed Miss Halifax. This was promising, indeed.
Finally, Lord Dorsey engaged Turlington in conversation, and Noelle used the distraction to slip away. She made her way toward one of the cooking fires and stood nearby to warm her hands. The scent of spices in the pot of mulled wine heating in the fire wafted over her. Mrs. Redmond, a widow and dear friend of Eva’s, came to stand at her side. “Why aren’t you on the ice being pushed by one of the gentlemen?”
“I’m cold enough here on the ground,” Noelle said. “Why aren’t you vying for a place in a sledge?”
“Oh, ice and I are not on good terms. A few years ago, I slipped and sprained my ankle. I was in bed for a fortnight. I won’t risk that again.” She looked back at the pond. “Of course, I don’t have a handsome gentleman like Lord Evergreen looking over at me every few minutes.”
Noelle felt her cheeks heat. “I’m sure Lord Evergreen—”
“Didn’t he court you when you made your come out? Mr. Redmond was still alive then, and I seem to remember seeing you two together at the opera. You were so very young and so very pretty.”
“Thank you.”
“I was sorry to see your parents arrange a marriage for you with Viscount Bonneville. Criminal how young women are sacrificed to the god of their father’s ambition.”
Noelle blinked. “It wasn’t like that.”
Mrs. Redmond arched a brow. “Wasn’t it? Don’t look now, dear, but Mr. Turlington is headed this way.”
Noelle groaned. “Excuse me.” She might have started out onto the ice, but she knew Turlington would follow. A line of stalls was nearby, and she decided to slip behind those, walking behind them until she could emerge at the start of the line. Hopefully, Turlington wouldn’t spot her again for a little while.
Noelle darted behind the first stall and waited, holding her breath and hoping Turlington didn’t appear. She counted to fifty then heaved a sigh of relief. She lifted her skirts and walked toward the next stall, hurrying past the gaps between stalls. But when she reached the second to last stall, Turlington stepped out of the gap and blocked her path. “Why, Lady Bonneville, if you didn’t want my company, you might have simply said.”
Noelle took a step back. “Mr. Turlington, I don’t know what you mean.”
“I think you do. You practically shrink away from my touch, all the while making doe eyes at Evergreen. I’m beginning to believe you weren’t lying when you claimed to spend the night with him.”
“What if I wasn’t?”
Turlington gave her a slow smile. “Then I’d invite you to my chambers so you might experience the benefits of a younger man.”
“No, thank you.” She tried to push past him, but he sidestepped and blocked her again.
“Is it because he’s an earl or do you actually prefer elderly men?”
At five and thirty, Graham was hardly elderly, but she would not allow Turlington to ruffle her. “Neither, sir. I simply do not care for you.”
“Why, you little minx. You’ve spent all week flirting with me—”
A figure appeared behind Turlington and settled a large hand on the rake’s shoulder. “Mr. Turlington, Lady Dorsey was looking for you,” Graham said.
Turlington lifted his shoulder, attempting unsuccessfully to dislodge Graham’s hand. “Rubbish. She’s out on the pond with Dorsey.”
“Then find someone else to bother. Lady Bonneville said she was no longer interested in your company.”
“Why don’t you find a book to read, Evergreen, and leave—”
In one swift motion, Graham shoved Turlington against the back of the stall, rattling the structure. “I don’t think you heard me,sir. I said you are not welcome.”
Turlington’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded. “Fine. Unhand me.”
Graham released him and the rake made a show of straightening his coat. Then, without a look back, he strode away.
