Page 23 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

Chapter Seven

Evan was determinedto spend time with Rachel today. Not just at midnight tonight. She’d avoided joining the large group that went riding earlier, preferring to walk the gardens with three men. He noted one was her dinner companion of last night. Evan watched not Rachel during breakfast—but Merrifield. The earl definitely had intentions toward her.

And Evan didn’t like it. At all.

The best way to Rachel St. Clair was through her friend. Because of that, he joined Lady Leah and made small talk with her as others began arriving to walk together to Fairfield’s lake. When he heard the chimes ring out and still no Rachel in sight, he steadied himself. She’d made a last-moment appearance last night.

He could only hope for the same now.

Sure enough, she slipped into the room and hurried toward Leah. When she arrived, he saw her look of dismay at spotting him chatting with her friend. Alex announced it was time to head toward the lake and claimed Leah. Evan and Rachel fell into step with them, leading the pack of twenty or so houseguests.

The two women walked together, with the men on the outside. Rachel peppered Alex with questions about his gardens. Some he readily answered, while others he admitted he hadn’t a clue.

“How could you not know about your own gardens, Alford?” Rachel admonished. “Don’t you ever give them any thought?”

The earl only laughed. “That’s why I hire gardeners, Lady Rachel. So they can do the thinking—and pruning—for me.”

They continued walking at a brisk pace, leaving the others behind.

Evan said, “You seem to know quite a bit about gardens, Lady Rachel.”

“I love getting my hands in the dirt. Fortunately, Cor is not one of those women who might chastise me for dirtying my hands or gown. She always encouraged me to pursue whatever activities interested me.”

“What did you like about Alex’s gardens?”

“They’re very well laid out. The thickets are nicely balanced with flowers. He had some beautiful trellises. The most outstanding feature is a large gazebo. I can just imagine sitting inside it at night, once the sun has set and the moon has risen. I’d close my eyes and inhale the perfume of the flowers. Late at night and early mornings are the best times to smell blossoms.”

“Perhaps, it would be interesting to hold a lesson in the gazebo some midnight,” he said quietly.

She stumbled and Evan grabbed her arm. Each time he touched her, he sensed something move between them. Something wild and utterly delicious.

“Thank you, Merrick,” Rachel said, pulling her arm away.

He made no more mention of their lessons and, soon, they arrived at the lake. Several tables and chairs had been set up, along with large blankets scattered near the water. A large tent had been erected, closed on three sides, with the open flaps facing the lake. Tables ladened with platters of food abounded.

Alex seated Leah at a table while Evan and Rachel headed straight to the food. Before he could tease her about her voracious appetite, she went to Jones and Mrs. Dunnavant, who stood in the center behind the tables.

“This looks sumptuous,” Rachel exclaimed. “Mrs. Dunnavant, your food looks almost too good to eat. And Jones, I know how much work went into bringing all of this down for us to enjoy. Thank you both for your efforts on our behalf.”

With those words, Rachel chipped off a huge chunk of the armor surrounding Evan’s heart. He could think of no lady who would have given a second thought as to the time and effort it had taken to create this picnic for such a large group. Rachel not only appreciated it, she had sought out those responsible and complimented them for it.

“What is your favorite thing you made, Mrs. Dunnavant? I shall make sure it’s the first item on my plate.”

The cook blushed. “It’s hard to say, my lady.”

“Then I’ll answer for you, Mrs. Dunnavant,” Evan declared. Looking at Rachel, he said, “Go for the apple pie. If none is to be had, then find the apple tarts. No one makes them as well as Mrs. Dunnavant.”

He picked up two plates and handed one to her. Rachel looked at the table and cried, “There they are!”

The cook herself placed one on each of their plates.

“May I have two, Mrs. Dunnavant? Cor didn’t come with us today. It’s a little too far for her to walk at her age in this heat. I’d like to be sure she eats one.”

“I’ll save one for her and see that she gets it,” the cook said.

“What makes your tarts so special?” Rachel asked.

“I use not only cinnamon but nutmeg. It brings out the flavor of the apples better,” Mrs. Dunnavant confided.

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