Page 74 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Louisa joined MissPeterson as they exited the dining room and made their way to the drawing room.

“Do you play whist, Miss Goulding?”

“I do. It is a favorite pastime of mine,” she revealed and then added, “Lord Boxling has asked to partner with me.”

Her friend nodded thoughtfully. “He seems to be taking quite an interest in you. Is that interest returned?”

“I find him to be a very amiable gentleman,” she said, not wanting to commit aloud to anything involving Lord Boxling.

He was nice. She did seem to find him interesting. And he was paying her special attention.

But he wasn’t Owen.

Mentally, she chastised herself. Owen could go leap into the lake for all she cared. She needed to focus her attention on Lord Boxling. She truly did believe that they might suit—and that the possibility that he might offer for her before he left Cliffside certainly existed. True, he wasn’t Owen. Then again, no man would ever be Owen. If she couldn’t have Owen, then Lord Boxling was a wonderful substitute.

Oh, she hated thinking of him that way. He was a lovely man. She thought he could make her happy. If he did extend an offer to her, Louisa would do everything in her power to show him how grateful she was.

The group of women entered the drawing room and took seats. Miss Rexford came and joined them.

“I wonder what business called Lord Hurley away,” mused Miss Peterson.

Miss Rexford snorted. “He didn’t leave because of any business.”

Queasiness filled Louisa. “Why do you say that?” she asked.

“Because I saw him from my window when he departed.”

Miss Peterson frowned. “How could seeing him leave allow you to know why he left?” she asked, looking perplexed.

Miss Rexford gave a knowing smile. “Because of how he looked.” She smiled enigmatically.

Miss Peterson took the bait. “How did Lord Hurley look? Was he ill?”

“Possibly.” Miss Rexford leaned in. “His nose was swollen three times its size. I would say it was broken. And he moved gingerly. As if he had taken a beating.”

Louisa flinched. Yes, she had put quite a bit into the thrust of her knee, which might cause Lord Hurley to move carefully. But she hadn’t come close to bashing him in the nose. Quickly, she glanced to Tessa, who was talking with Lady Sara. Had her cousin already known of Lord Hurley’s injuries? Had Spencer hurt Lord Hurley? She didn’t think so. No guests had been in the gardens. No one had seen what had taken place between her and Lord Hurley.

Or had someone watched—and punished Lord Hurley for his misdeeds?

Owen...

He would not have hesitated to brutalize Lord Hurley if he had seen what the viscount had done to her. Had it been Owen who had broken the viscount’s nose?

For her?

She wanted to ask him and yet dreaded bringing up anything of that nature to him. If he had known, Owen was the type to go after Lord Hurley. And if he had been the one to hurt the viscount, then he had seen what occurred. Seen her humiliation. Was that what he wished to speak to her about?

No, it couldn’t be. He had asked for a private word with her before her time in the gardens with Lord Hurley.

She bit her lip, unsure what to do or say.

“You are being awfully quiet, Miss Goulding,” Miss Rexford observed. “Did Lord Hurley’s leaving the house party upset you? Were the two of you forming an attachment?”

Louisa did not like this woman. “We merely partnered during lawn bowling, Miss Rexford. There is not—and never will be—any attachment between us.”

“Hmm.” The woman studied her. “I thought he might be growing sweet on you.” She paused. “Areyouthe one that punched Lord Hurley in the face?”

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