Page 46 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

“So, you have taken that upon yourself?” Ev asked. “To be a protector to her.”

“Yes, that is it exactly. I want to get to know these gentlemen and what makes them tick. Once I do, I will know if any of them are good enough for Louisa.”

Owen watched Ev bite back a smile.

“You say that now, Owen, but I can tell you in advance that you will find none of these men to your liking.”

“Then why were they invited?” he asked, aghast. “I thought Adalyn, matchmaker that she is, wanted the best for her cousin.”

“Oh, Addie does want the best for Louisa. I am merely stating that you are going to find something wrong with every single suitor here. Face it, Owen. You have feelings for Louisa. This arbitrary idea of waiting years to wed needs to be shoved to the side. The perfect woman for you—the one who would be an ideal Countess of Danbury—is right before you. You won’t be able to do better than Louisa, so why wait?”

Owen regarded his friend solemnly. “You think you know everything simply because you are in love with your wife and will be a father soon. You have been back in England longer than I have, Ev. I need to get a better grasp on being the Earl of Danbury. I need to learn more about my responsibilities and place in a society I never thought I would join.”

“I am telling you that Louisa would be the best partner to help you in those endeavors, Owen. After years of managing her father’s household and entertaining a slew of people from diplomats to war office workers, she would be an excellent countess. You are already friends, good friends if I’m not mistaken, and friendship can lead to love.” Ev gave him a sly look. “Unless you already are in love with her. In that case, you don’t want to lose her to another man because of some stubborn idea you are clinging to about marriage.”

He felt his face flush, whether in anger or embarrassment he didn’t know. “I’ll have you keep such thoughts to yourself, Ev. I am here as a favor to Adalyn—and Louisa, of course—and I will be a proper guest as I help Louisa navigate the society about her. No further discussions on this topic will be tolerated, else I will return to Danbury and leave you with uneven numbers.”

“And sulk, I suppose.” Ev regarded him and finally said, “All right, Owen. You can have it your way. But if you lose out and lose Louisa because you’re a bloody fool, don’t come crying to me afterward. End of discussion.”

Owen sipped on his coffee, an uneasy silence between the men.

Finally, Ev said, “I have a new colt which was born yesterday. Would you like to go to the stables and see it?”

“I would be delighted to, Your Grace.”

The pair rose from the table and made their way down to the stables, Owen fighting thoughts of Louisa flirting with the guests yet to arrive.

*

Louisa smiled ather image and said, “Tilly, you have done wonders with my hair.”

“Thank you, Miss Goulding,” the maid replied. “I hope you’ll enjoy this house party.”

Tilly quietly left the room and Louisa sighed heavily. So far, all the guests had arrived and their rather large group had taken tea together in the drawing room this afternoon. It was a mishmash, with half a dozen conversations going on at once.

Louisa had immediately been drawn to Miss Peterson, a bright woman with lively blue eyes who was easy to talk with. After only a few minutes in Miss Peterson’s company, she knew they would become friends, probably good ones. She also enjoyed meeting Miss Rexford, a true beauty with coal-black hair and sparkling blue eyes and an air of mischief about her. Louisa believed Miss Rexford would draw—and keep—the attention of the males attending the house party.

She thought Lady Sara, one of Ev’s cousins, and her friend, Miss Oxford, were sweet girls but didn’t believe any true friendship would spark between them. The pair was young and Louisa felt a hundred years older as she listened to their conversation about which color of bow should be placed upon Lady Sara’s shoe for dinner that evening.

She had spoken to each of the male guests briefly, so briefly that she hadn’t formed any solid opinions about any of them. Lord Marksbury seemed witty for a man who shunnedtonevents. Lord Hurley appeared a bit withdrawn. She wondered if it was because he had only recently returned from serving in His Majesty’s army and hadn’t had time to adjust to claiming a title and being in polite company again. Mr. Hampton was gracious and complimented her on the color of her gown. He mentioned his brother, who had been recently wed and now honeymooned in Scotland with his bride.

The only one she had previously been introduced to had been Lord Boxling. She had met him during her come-out Season and they had danced once, before he held his title. He did not mention it and Louisa doubted he remembered a dance from five years ago. She did express her sympathy for the passing of his father, which he thanked her for.

She wondered if it was possible that she might form an attachment with any of the four. Tessa said that house parties were known for blossoming romances. Even Adalyn had mentioned that it would be much easier to get to know both the men and the women because they would be around each other for an extended amount of time. Frankly, Louisa didn’t believe in ten days she would know someone well enough to commit to them for the rest of her life. Then again, most engaged couples at the end of the Season had usually only spoken to one another a handful of times.

She had a small dowry, which was thanks to her mother. Her father’s salary in the War Office was merely adequate. Mama had been an earl’s daughter, though, and what she had brought into the marriage had been put aside. That settlement was to be used for future daughters’ dowries. Since Louisa was their only child, she claimed all of it. She wondered if the small dowry influenced men’s opinions of her. And granted, she was older than the other unattached females but she thought her looks held up. Rising from the dressing table, she smoothed her gown, trying to calm her nerves. Either she would come to find a husband or she wouldn’t. She might form a few new friendships or not. The possibilities were open as she left her bedchamber and descended the stairs.

Going to the drawing room, she joined the others already gathered, declining a drink offered by a footman. Tessa waved at her and she joined a group with Tessa, Miss Peterson, Mr. Hampton, and Lord Boxling.

Mr. Hampton finished a story he was telling and then Lord Boxling turned to her.

“I believe I have seen you at a fewtonevents, Miss Goulding. Not often, though.”

“Up until this Season, I only attended a limited number each year. I was more useful serving as my father’s hostess.”

“Sir Edgar Goulding?” the viscount asked, interest lighting his face.

“Yes. Do you know my father?”

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