All That I Want (The Hesitant Husbands #2)

Chapter 7

Dinner that evening was a lavish affair. There were twenty guests in total, one of whom was Aidan’s good friend Donovan Mackavoy, who had absolutely no interest (so he claimed) in seeking a match but wanted to do some hunting of a different sort, and the women were Lainey’s friends from town, there for moral support and perhaps to make a match of their own. The arrival of an unexpected male had thrown off the numbers, and Lainey simply couldn’t have a lone dinner guest, so she had pressed Kate, Gavin’s stepmother, into service this evening to round out the numbers until another eligible lady could be found.

Lainey recognized a few of the male faces at the table, but most were unfamiliar to her. The butterflies in her stomach felt more like a bird trapped in a box as Aidan stood to welcome his guests, raising his glass in a toast.

“To friends new and old. Thank you for arranging your schedules to join us this week. My wife and I are happy to have you, and I hope you will take advantage of the fine weather and enjoy yourselves fully while you are here.”

“Hear, hear!” was the joyful answer. Lainey glanced surreptitiously around the table as everyone drank. She’d met each guest as they’d arrived, and a few had sparked her interest. Gavin and Aidan had done well for her. There was Anthony Fox, the furrier, who had won Lainey over immediately by poking fun at his own name and trade, Samuel Chapman, who worked for the esteemed Frederick Worth, Philip Smith, a bank manager, and Eric Prince, head of a shipping company, all of whom seemed amiable enough on first impression. The addition of Viscount Kingston had been a surprising choice, but a welcome one. Though not in his youth, he had a delightful demeanor that had piqued Lainey’s interest right away, and though they had crossed paths on and off over the years, she didn’t really know him well. She looked forward to speaking with all of them at length and discovering their true personalities, and most importantly, how they felt about her work. She also took note of the ladies around the table, and who seemed to fancy whom. This was, after all, a matchmaking event. Why should Lainey be the only one to come away with an engagement?

She glanced across the table at Gavin, who was seated between Emily Hastings and Lydia Blousson. Emily was the younger sister of Anne, Lainey’s best friend. She was a little young yet at nineteen, but Lainey didn’t have the heart to not invite her since Anne was coming. She was delightful company, and was currently making cow eyes at the long-suffering Gavin, which amused Lainey to no end. Lydia was bubbling away about some topic or other, as was her usual state. He caught Lainey’s eye with a look that clearly said, “Help me,” but she just grinned and turned to the gentleman on her right.

Which just so happened to be one Charles Devereaux. Lainey didn’t quite know what to make of him just yet. He was impossibly charming, but on occasion, she found that charm was a way of hiding character flaws. He certainly did make her heart race, however. The man was too good-looking for words.

“Tell me about your estate, Mr. Devereaux. Will you live there year-round or do you have a townhouse in London?”

“No townhouse just yet, though I will need one. I was hoping to choose that once I’ve chosen a bride. Bachelor rooms wouldn’t do, I’m afraid,” he said with a chuckle. “The estate is in Sheffield—Ranmoor, more precisely. My family bought property in east Sheffield in the late 1700s, and the discovery of coal there some years later changed everything. They were later able to purchase a steel mill, and with the industrial boom of the railways, life altered quite quickly for them.”

“I’ve heard terrible things about the working conditions of those mills,” Lainey noted.

“Sadly, they are mostly true. However, my family believed healthy, happy workers would be more productive, so they were given fair working hours and safer working conditions, I’m told. The mill prospered while others were rife with disease and unrest. It certainly wasn’t ideal, but it was the best we could do. My family built a beautiful estate just outside of Ranmoor called Thistledown, and it is that which I have just inherited. Now, I’m tasked with learning how to run it after having been away for years. It is daunting, to say the least, but I will do my best.”

“That is all we can do in life, is it not?”

Devereaux chuckled. “You are a welcome surprise, Lady Elaine. Do tell me about your plans for your future. I hear you are an enterprising woman.”

Lainey stared at him. Had he actually just asked her what her own plans were for her future? Unbelievable. “Actually, I’d like to open a help center for women who want to better their circumstances. Recent events have taught me that there are a lot of people out there who needlessly suffer because they lack education and training. I want to change that.” She waited for the snort of derision, or the patronizing smile, but he just studied her, an enigmatic smile playing about his lips.

“An admirable cause indeed,” Devereaux murmured, his eyes lighting over the rim of his wineglass. “Tell me more.”

Lainey hesitated, but he appeared sincere, so she let the floodgates open.

Gavin didn’t hear what Devereaux had just said to Lainey to make her face light up in delight, but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was absolutely glowing, animatedly gushing about something. Devereaux had put that glow there. Gavin’s fingers tightened on his wine glass. The sudden urge to throw it at Devereaux’s head came out of nowhere, and Gavin tamped it down immediately. Violence is never the answer. He grimaced and tossed back some more wine. He was looking forward to the brandy that would come later.

Dinner was interminable as he watched Lainey flirt with both Devereaux and the fellow from the House of Worth. He practically shot out of his chair as the ladies rose to retire to the drawing room. What in blazes was wrong with him? The whole point of this week was to find Lainey a husband, so why was he so on edge every time she smiled at someone else? He supposed he was just used to having her to himself. A lot had changed over the past six months, and Gavin had to admit that he was having some trouble adjusting.

The men stayed behind and enjoyed a glass of port, during which Gavin pointedly asked too many questions of Devereaux, but ultimately found nothing he could discredit. He had money, ambition, and common sense, and he seemed a likable fellow. Gavin was rather disappointed he had come up short on skeletons.

They joined the ladies for cards and parlor games, and Gavin barely restrained his eye roll as Devereaux instantly moved toward Lainey. Really, the man was going to be a problem if no one else could get near her. Fortunately, he was intercepted by Miss Hastings. Gavin smiled to himself. Anne seemed to have noticed Devereaux’s obsession as well. He made a mental note to thank her later.

Conversation flowed freely as the guests mingled and got to know one another. The liquor also flowed freely, and everyone was in a happy, relaxed state when Lainey announced it was time for a parlor game.

“Oooh!” Anne Hastings squealed, clapping her hands and bouncing in excitement. “I love parlor games!”

“I think, since we are all getting to know one another, a game of Forfeits shall be an excellent choice,” Lainey said. “Ashby, will you be our judge?”

“I’d be delighted,” Aidan said, rising. He left the room, and Lainey placed a tray in the center of the circle as everyone gathered round. Each guest left a small personal item in the tray, and Aidan was asked to come in again. He entered the circle with a dramatic sweeping gesture, which made everyone laugh, and set the tone for the game. He selected a ring from the tray. “Ah. Here we have a lady’s ring, gold with flowers engraved on it. To whom might this belong?” he asked, rubbing his chin in a dramatic fashion.

“It is mine, Ashby, as you well know,” Elizabeth teased. “What is my forfeit?”

“Ah, from you, my lady, I must demand a kiss.”

“That’s not a forfeit!” Lainey admonished. “You kiss her all the time!”

“Shh. You are not the judge,” Aidan replied, taking his wife in his arms. Everyone laughed as he gave her a comical kiss, and then a real one for good measure, and Elizabeth’s ring was returned to her. Aidan chose another item. “A money clip, with the initials CD. Hmm, who could that be?”

Devereaux stood to claim his forfeit. Aidan grinned. “I’m afraid I must make you bark like a dog.”

The ladies tittered as Devereaux made a sweeping bow. “As you wish, my lord.” He surprised everyone by getting on his hands and knees, and proceeded to bark like a terrier at the guests. He crawled up to Emily Hastings and suddenly changed his yip to a deep, loud bark, startling her and making her squeal with glee, which made everyone cheer and clap. He stood up to receive his money clip from Aidan.

“Good show!” Aidan said, handing it to him. Devereaux nodded and winked at Emily, causing the girl to blush to the roots of her hair. The next item happened to be Gavin’s, and he groaned.

“What are you going to make me do?” he asked warily.

“I think you should entertain us with a song.”

“Come now, you know that will only serve to punish everyone.”

“What good is being your best friend if I can’t embarrass you once in a while? Sing if you’d like your pocket watch back!”

Gavin glared at Aidan in the way only close friends could, and launched into the worst rendition of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” anyone present had ever heard. Gavin sang louder as ladies covered their ears and men pretended to double over in pain. He looked at Lainey. She was pressing her lips tightly together in a valiant effort to hold her laughter in, and her eyes shone with mirth. He was never going to hear the end of this.

Blessedly, it was a short song, and he reached out a hand for his watch, but Aidan held it back. “I think I should keep it just for suffering through that performance!”

Gavin gave him a good-natured shove and retrieved his watch. “You knew exactly what you were getting into.”

“I may never hear the same way again,” Anne supplied.

Gavin shook his head and sat down with a chuckle. Lainey was summoned next, and was challenged to walk around the circle backwards, blindfolded. She gathered up her skirts, got her bearings, and waited while the blindfold was tied. She made it almost all the way around the circle before a ruffled petticoat slipped her hold and she stepped on it, losing her balance. Down she went—straight into Gavin’s lap.

“Oh!” His arms tightened around her, preventing her from sliding to the floor. “I’m sorry, who have I—”

“It’s just me,” he said in her ear as she struggled with the blindfold. She pulled it free and found herself inches from Gavin’s face.

“Oh,” she repeated softly.

There was a brief moment of charged silence, and every nerve in Gavin’s body prickled with awareness. Was it his imagination, or had her gaze flicked to his lips? “Sorry to disappoint,” he teased. She grinned and scrambled off of his lap.

“My apologies, Mr. Mayfield,” she said, smoothing out her skirts. “Brother, I do hope I still get my trinket back. I’m rather fond of those earrings and I would look silly with just one.”

“A valiant attempt was made. Therefore, I restore to you your ear bob,” Aidan said, handing it to her. “I do hope you are not hurt.”

“Mr. Mayfield gave me a soft landing. Only my pride was wounded!”

Gavin’s arms were tingling. He belatedly realized that in all his years of knowing Lainey, he’d not once held her in his arms in such an intimate way. And his body was telling him that that had been a serious oversight on his part.

The merriment continued on until all the items had been retrieved from the tray. It was a wonderful way of getting to know who took themselves too seriously and who wanted to have fun. Gavin had noted the reaction from Lainey when Viscount Kingston had recited a poem in a rich baritone voice that had captivated everyone. Aidan knew him better than Gavin did, but he seemed warm and genuine, with a gentle nature that would suit Lainey’s personality well. He was glad Aidan had invited him.

Finally, the frivolity wound down and the guests began to drift toward their rooms. Gavin watched as the men bid goodnight to Lainey, studying her reactions to each man. He could easily pick out who had sparked her interest. Funny how he could read her so well, yet he had completely missed her feelings for him all those years ago. Perhaps he’d been oblivious on purpose.

“Well, that was a successful evening,” Aidan said as he poured them both a brandy. “Lainey shined, and I actually enjoyed myself. I can’t remember the last time I played a parlor game.”

“We’ve been telling you for years you need to loosen up,” Gavin chided, accepting the brandy.

“What do you make of our choices?”

“I think Lainey is intrigued by several of them. I look forward to watching this unfold.”

Aidan clinked his glass against Gavin’s. “Rest well, my friend. Sorry about the song.” Aidan winked and Gavin chuckled.

“You are not.”

Aidan grinned and gave a casual shrug, moving off to join his wife upstairs, leaving Gavin alone in the drawing room. He took a swallow of his brandy and ruminated over the events of the evening. All in all, he thought Lainey just may find a suitable match.

Somehow, that knowledge didn’t bring him the joy it ought.