Page 5 of A Lady's Key to Passion

“I say,” said Freddie, following his gaze. “Is that not Viscountess Aldridge? I did not know she was staying in the district.”

“Lady Aldridge is originally from here,” said Percy, taking another sip of champagne. “She is staying with her family while Henry is north on business.”

“We should go and say hello,” said Freddie. “I have always liked the Aldridges. A nice couple.”

“Not yet,” said Percy, grimacing slightly. “I want to wait until the lady next to her leaves. I do not want to become embroiled with her. At least, I want to put it off as long as I can.”

Freddie gave a short bark of laughter. “Why? Do you know her?”

“Not at all,” said Percy. “I was introduced to her just yesterday by Marianne. She is her cousin. Her name is Lady Lucy Metcalfe.”

“She is as pretty as a picture,” said Freddie. “Rather like a doll. I am intrigued, Carlisle. Why do you wish to avoid such a delectable creature?”

Percy rolled his eyes. “She might be pretty, but she is bold, my friend. Very bold. The lady has set her sights upon me, and I am rather scared if truth be told.”

“How so?” laughed Freddie. “You confuse me, Carlisle! I thought one of the reasons we are here is to find you a wife. If one is there for the taking, why is that bad?”

Percy hesitated. How could he explain it to his friend? Yes, he wanted a wife, but he didn’t want to marry a woman like Lady Lucy Metcalfe.

“She is too ambitious,” said Percy. “Too flirtatious. She would be hard work, my friend. I can already tell how demanding she would be on my time and attention if I made her the next Countess of Carlisle. I have met her type many times before.” He took another sip of champagne. “I am looking for someone a little less high-maintenance. I do not wish to encourage her. That is all.”

He was about to tell his friend that he had met another lady yesterday, whom he believed would suit him rather better, when he stiffened. That lady herself was standing right next to him, talking quietly with another lady. He flushed with embarrassment. Had Lady Jane overheard what he had said about her cousin?

He studied her over the rim of his champagne glass. Lady Jane was wearing a plain white evening gown with no adornment, and her honey gold hair was tied back in a neat bun.

The only jewellery she wore was a modest chain around her neck, and there was nothing in her hair, not even a single flower. She had the simplicity of a nun. But her deliberately plain attire and hairstyle couldn’t hide the fineness of her features, the length of her neck and arms, nor the dazzling green of her eyes.

Her friend was rather less striking, even though she was more opulently dressed. A lady of average height, with light brown hair and pale, almost translucent blue eyes. She had to look up at her companion. Lady Jane towered over her, but then, she would probably tower over most ladies. She and her sister were tall for women.

“Lady Jane,” he said, taking a deep breath, turning to her. “How delightful to see you again!”

The lady jumped as if he had startled her. She didn’t look pleased that he had interrupted the conversation with her friend. Not at all.

“Lord Carlisle,” she said, her eyes hard.

There was an awkward pause. Percy grabbed Freddie by the cuff, pulling him forward. His friend looked a little stunned.

“May I introduce my good friend, Colonel Frederick Morland,” said Percy, feeling tiny beads of sweat trickle down his neck. Had she heard him? But her expression was guarded and inscrutable. He just couldn’t tell. “Freddie, this is Lady Jane Metcalfe, sister of our friend Marianne.”

Freddie bowed. “Ladies.”

Lady Jane sighed dramatically. “A pleasure, Colonel. May I introduce my own dear friend, Miss Matilda Grey.”

Miss Grey curtseyed. Percy noted that Freddie was gazing upon her with an interested gleam in his hazel eyes. His friend clearly found the lady attractive, but Percy couldn’t really see why. Miss Grey looked plain to him compared to the fine features of Lady Jane.

Miss Grey blushed fiercely, discerning Freddie’s interest. Percy coughed discreetly. Lady Jane didn’t appear to have noticed the spark of attraction between her friend and his. She was wearing the look of perpetual boredom that he had noted yesterday, glancing around, not initiating any conversation. He took another deep breath. It was going to be hard work getting to know her at all.

“Are you having a pleasant evening, Lady Jane?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Not really.”

He kept staring at her. She wasn’t going to elaborate on her reply. It was like pulling teeth. He desperately tried to think of something else to say to her, within the boundaries of polite social conversation.

“Has your family lived in Seaborne for a long time?” he asked.

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes.”

His face flushed. He could see by the grim set of her lips that she was determined not to add anything to her last reply, either. Shereallydidn’t want to talk to him. Was she always like this, or was it because she had overheard his comments about her cousin?

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