Page 42 of Empowered By the Earl (Second Sons of London 3)

The teacarts appeared, rolled in by two maids as Mrs. Arthur supervised them. Soon, Adalyn was pouring out and everyone was talking fast and furiously as they caught up with one another. Louisa was so happy to have Tessa and Spencer there, realizing how much she had missed the couple.

“Will you stay for dinner, Owen?” Adalyn asked.

“I suppose I could,” he said slowly, his eyes focused on his hostess.

“Excellent. I will tell Arthur to inform Cook that we will be an even six for dinner. For now, why don’t you men remain here and talk about manly things? We women will retreat to my sitting room and discuss the house party.”

“And the guest list?” Owen asked with interest.

“Yes, I suppose we can,” Adalyn replied.

“Then I will head off with the ladies,” he informed the other males. “I am curious to learn who will be attending and want to hear a little bit about each of the guests before I meet them.”

Adalyn rose. “Come along, then.”

Louisa and Tessa rose and followed Adalyn and Owen from the drawing room. She dreaded being in his company as they talked about the eligible men.

“Are you seeking a bride among the guests, Owen?” asked Tessa.

“Not at all,” he said breezily. “I do know that I have a role to play during the week others are here, though.”

“And what might that be?” Tessa asked.

“I am to get to know the eligible bachelors in attendance and see if they are worthy of our Louisa,” Owen replied.

“Is that so?” Tessa pursed her lips. “I thought that would be a task for Louisa to accomplish.”

They reached the sitting room and entered, as Owen said, “Of course, it is for Louisa to decide if she is interested in anyone. Unfortunately, men do not always reveal their true nature to women, especially those they are courting. I will get to know my peers through the various activities Adalyn has planned and pass along my opinions to Louisa.”

“I see,” Tessa said, taking a seat next to Adalyn.

That left a settee available and Louisa perched upon it, Owen sitting beside her. She remembered the last time they had sat on one together, as he gave her lessons in flirting. She had not shared that with Adalyn, nor asked her cousin how to flirt with a fan. Instead, she had kept what occurred between her and Owen private. It was unlike her to hide things from either Adalyn or Tessa. The three cousins were the closest of friends and told one another everything.

She doubted telling them that Owen had kissed her senseless and given her an orgasm was something they needed to hear, however.

“All right,” Owen said, rubbing his hands briskly together. “Share with us the names of the gentlemen invited to your country house party.”

“Why don’t we talk about the ladies first?” suggested Tessa. “I am much more interested in hearing about them and I know Louisa will also want to know who will be in attendance. She may or may not know them.”

Adalyn lifted a page from the writing desk next to her. “The ladies it shall be.”

Louisa could tell Owen was irritated but he held his tongue. In a way, she thought it comical that he would have to wait and hear about the female guests.

“Perhaps one of these women will appeal to you, Owen,” Tessa said sweetly. “That would save you from having to peruse the Marriage Mart next Season.”

“I have no desire to peruse anything having to do with marriage,” he said testily.

Adalyn cleared her throat. “I limited those invited so the group wouldn’t become too large. There will be five unattached females, including Louisa, and five bachelors, including you, Owen.”

Her cousin smiled. “You’ll like the first one, Louisa. Her name is Miss Peterson. I considered her as a candidate for Ev, which tells you how much I like her.”

“I have heard the name,” she said. “I have never been introduced to her, though.”

“She is a bit of a bluestocking. Quite thin with lively blue eyes and brown hair. Then there is Ev’s distant cousin, Lady Sara. She is blond with blue eyes and quite sweet. She only made her come-out this year.”

“I didn’t get to know any of the younger girls,” Louisa admitted. “Actually, they wanted nothing to do with someone as old as I am.”

“Lady Sara is nice. And her good friend, Miss Oxford, will be accompanying her. They made their come-outs together. From what I understand, they do simply everything together. Miss Oxford has brown hair and brown eyes and according to Lady Sara, she giggles a lot.”

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