Page 78 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Rachel tried tolisten to the earnest young gentleman speaking and totally lost her focus. He was one of four men gathered for tea in the St. Clair drawing room this afternoon, along with Catherine and Leah. She would much rather be talking with Leah since they hadn’t had any time alone since the Season began over two weeks ago. Rachel’s afternoons had been taken up with men calling on her, left and right. It already grew tiresome.

She had added three names to her potential husband list. She didn’t want more than five or six total to consider. As the viscount—or was he an earl?—droned on, she knew he would never make the cut. All he had in his favor was that he was a marvelous dancer. Period. It would take much more to make her list than that.

Merrifield wasn’t among those present today. The earl had definitely courted her but hadn’t pursued her madly. He’d danced with her twice at any ball they both attended. He’d taken her riding once and driving twice. He’d also offered his box to her, along with Jeremy and Catherine, and the four had enjoyed a night at the theatre. In her mind, Rachel could envision many such outings in the coming years. Merrifield got along so well with her brother and sister-in-law that she sometimes wondered why she even bothered to consider other men.

He hadn’t kissed her yet. She wondered what it would take. Would it be something he saw in her eyes? Would it be the way she used her fan to flirt with him? She couldn’t guess. Maybe he was waiting for her to ask him again for a kiss. That might be it. She was curious. It had been months since they had and she deemed it important in a future husband.

Perhaps she would request a single kiss tonight—and see if it turned into more.

“Don’t you agree with me, Lady Rachel?” a voice pleaded.

She turned and saw it was the incredible dancer who questioned her. She hadn’t bothered to remember his name because he was so bland.

“Yes, my lord. You are quite right.”

“See?” he said, looking at the other three men triumphantly. “I knew Lady Rachel would understand.”

Tiring of him and the others, Rachel put a hand to her temple. “I’m afraid I feel a slight headache coming on. I look forward to seeing all of you at tonight’s ball and I fear I won’t be able to make it unless I lie down for a rest.”

They all began fussing over her and stating how she should do whatever it took to be in good health for tonight.

“Leah, would you stay? You know how soothing it is to me when you brush my hair.”

“Of course, Rachel.” Leah quickly raised her teacup to hide her growing smile.

The men said their goodbyes and filed out as Jeremy entered the room.

“Will we always have half a dozen or more of Rachel’s suitors underfoot, Duchess?” he complained.

Catherine said, “There were only four today, Duke,” and lifted her face for his lingering kiss.

“And how do you feel this afternoon, Leah?” Jeremy asked as one hand massaged the back of his wife’s neck.

“Right as rain now,” she said cheerily. “Until after dinner tonight. That’s when I’ll spew like a fountain.”

“It does get better,” Catherine assured her.

“I hope so,” Leah said. “Until then, I’m able to eat throughout the day. In fact, I might try another one of those scones to help tide me over.”

Rachel passed the plate to her.

Jeremy said, “I know how you two like to gossip and haven’t seen one another alone to do so. Catherine and I will give you some privacy.”

The duchess laughed merrily. “That’s my husband’s polite way of saying that he wants alone time with me.”

Jeremy pulled her to her feet. “Are you going to give away all my secrets, Duchess?”

“I might,” she said airily. “Unless you find some way to convince me otherwise, Duke.”

His reply was to sweep her off her feet and carry her from the drawing room.

Thatwas what Rachel wanted. A man who would continue to act romantically even after they were wed and had children. One who was both friend and lover to her.

“They are still so in love,” Leah said softly. “I hope Alex and I will follow their example.”

“You will,” Rachel assured her. “The two of you are mad for one another. I cannot see that ever changing.” She lifted the teapot and poured them both another cup.

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