All That I Want (The Hesitant Husbands #2)

Chapter 14

Lainey had awoken to yet another sunny day, perfect for the afternoon tea that she’d planned for where the archery targets had been set up outside. Her choice had been twofold: the men needed some entertainment, and archery was the perfect opportunity for the ladies to get close to the man of her choice by learning—or pretending to learn—archery from the men.

Lainey needed no instruction, but Devereaux was her target. HIs comment from the other night still stung. He’d only let his mouth run because he’d been drinking, but it was mortifying all the same. Today, she was going to show him a different side of her.

If she could stop thinking about kissing Gavin. Really, it was most inconvenient. Her body responded to him the moment he walked into the room, despite her telling it to behave itself. Even now, she couldn’t stop stealing glances at him, seated with Aidan and Elizabeth…and glowering at Devereaux. Well. This should be an interesting afternoon.

“Lainey, this has been a splendid house party,” Anne said from beside her, pouring another cup of tea. “I daresay you will have a proposal by week’s end.”

“You may be right,” Lainey acknowledged, a note of resignation in her voice. “That was the point, wasn’t it?”

“Are you having second thoughts?” Anne eyed her skeptically.

Lainey glanced at Gavin, who had gotten up and was heading in their direction. “No, not at all.”

“So, who is your top choice?” Lydia asked. “Swoon-worthy Mr. Devereaux? He is a dream!”

“Oh, every man is dreamy to you, Lydia!” Anne laughed.

“Well…she’s not wrong, Anne!”

“Ha! See? She agrees. It would not be a hardship waking up next to that face every morning!” Lydia exclaimed.

“Even after you’ve been flat on your back staring up into it all night!”

“Anne!” Lainey gasped. The three of them dissolved into giggles.

Lainey wiped her eyes. “I suppose you do have a point.”

“Think of the beautiful children you would have with him,” Lydia said wistfully. “His blue eyes and those curls with your honeyed hair…positively angelic.”

“They would be gorgeous children,” Anne agreed. “Oh Lainey, I cannot wait to become an honorary auntie!”

“And I cannot wait to hold a babe in my arms! Oh, how I have longed to be a mother. It would be wonderful if Aidan and Elizabeth have children at the same time. It’s been just Aidan and I for so long, it would be lovely to fill the house with a passel of cousins!”

“Then I think Devereaux would be your best choice. He looks like just the man for the job.” Anne winked at her and they broke into laughter once again.

Lainey let her gaze wander to the man in question. Decision made, she rose. “I do believe it’s time to get an archery lesson from Mr. Devereaux.”

“A lesson? But you—”

“He doesn’t need to know that. I promised Eliza I would be bold today, and so I shall. I think he is just the man to test my wiles on.” She set off in the direction of the winsome bachelor, leaving Anne and Lydia to stare after her.

Anne grinned. “Bravo, my dear. Bravo.”

Lainey’s words carried to Gavin on the breeze. I cannot wait to hold a babe in my arms. He froze in mid reach for a lemonade. Oh, how I have longed to be a mother. Gavin’s heart sank. It was one thing to know that was her fondest desire, but to hear the words expressed so wistfully was a punch in the gut.

Gavin did not want children. How could he ever consider taking that away from her? He would be the world’s most selfish man to even ask it of her. Just yesterday he’d thought there might be a way…

But no. Even if she agreed, it would always be a wedge between them, an invisible wall that would be built ever higher, year after year, until the resentment became a festering wound. He couldn’t stomach the possibility.

He sighed, taking a sip of his lemonade and turning resolutely away, the seeds of hope scattering to the wind.

Gavin was systematically reducing his scone to crumbs as he watched Devereux slip his arms around Lainey under the pretense of showing her how to properly hold a bow. “Idiot,” he grumbled.

“What’s that, Gav?” Aidan said, tearing his eyes from his wife. He regarded the decimated snack on Gavin’s plate. “I say, haven’t you tortured that scone enough? Now you are just being cruel.”

“Devereaux.” He dusted his hands. “Lainey is the county champion. She could probably show him a trick or two. How can you just sit here while he paws your sister like that?”

“Because something tells me she’s enjoying it.” He grinned. “Relax, Gav. I’m watching her carefully. Anyone behaving inappropriately with my sister will get their arse kicked all the way back to London.”

“Oh hush,” Elizabeth scolded her husband as he kissed her hand. “Lainey is having a good time being fawned over like that.”

Just then, the lilting sound of Lainey’s laughter drifted over on the breeze. Gavin couldn’t take it anymore. He left his pile of crumbs and stalked over to the flock of men surrounding Lainey. No one even noticed him approach.

“I see,” Lainey was saying. “So, if I grip it like this, I can hold it steadier?”

Gavin nearly choked at the erotic image that flashed through his mind.

Devereaux closed his hand over hers, helping her aim. “Precisely. Now just let the arrow fly.” She did, and hit a bullseye.

“Well! Would you look at that?” She gave Devereaux a brilliant smile.

“See? Just a few refinements and your game will improve.”

Gavin couldn’t hold back a snort. Lainey turned toward him, eyes narrowed in warning. He grimaced and looked away. Lainey picked up another arrow, nocked it, and let it fly. It whizzed through the air and landed with a thunk in the target—barely.

“Oh, poo! I must not have held it right that time. Could you show me again, Mr. Devereaux?”

“With pleasure,” he replied, wrapping his arms about Lainey once again.

“Oh, for the love of Pete,” Gavin ground out. “Devereaux, she can outshoot you with her eyes closed.”

“Gavin!” Lainey admonished him, thrusting her hands on her hips.

“Sorry, Lainey, but I think there’s been enough fondling for today.”

“Mr. Mayfield!” Lainey was horrified, and Gavin knew he’d pay for it later. He didn’t care. If Devereaux put his hands on Lainey one more time, Gavin was going to pummel him and then she would really be cross.

“I do believe someone is jealous,” Devereaux drawled, winking at Lainey. He turned to Gavin. “I’m a crack shot with a bow, Mayfield. I haven’t been outshot in years. And certainly never by a woman.”

Lainey’s head swung slowly in Devereaux’s direction and Gavin nearly chortled with glee. Oh, Devereaux was going to get it now. Lainey’s indignation was palpable.

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Devereaux. Do you think you can’t be bested by a woman?”

His confident smile faltered as he took in the fury snapping in her eyes. “Er…that is…well, I suppose it’s possible, but…”

“But what, Mr. Devereaux?” Lainey folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Would you care to make a bet?”

“Oh, I don’t think that’s necessary,” he said quickly.

“Come now, Devereaux,” Gavin chimed in. “The lady is issuing a challenge. Surely a gentleman would not turn her down. Unless you are afraid she’s going to beat you.”

A chuckle ran through the crowd of men surrounding them. Gavin smirked, resisting the temptation to rub his hands together in glee. Devereaux was trapped, and Lainey was going to positively trounce him.

“Surely, we don’t need a contest, Lady Elaine. We were having so much fun just shooting.” He glared at Gavin, who blithely smiled in return.

“Oh, I think a contest will be great fun! What say you all?” She glanced around at the men surrounding her, who nodded, clapped, and cheered in agreement. They could smell blood in the water. Taking a fellow suitor down a peg was always great fun. Lainey yanked three arrows out of the quiver and thrust them toward Devereaux. “Three bullseyes in a row.”

Devereaux paused, seeming to weigh his odds. He grudgingly relieved Lainey of the arrows. “Very well, my lady. I must warn you, however, that is not much of a challenge.”

The corner of Lainey’s mouth quirked up in a sardonic smile. “With your eyes closed.”

A chorus of “oos,” “ohs,” and laughter rose up around them, the men nudging each other in the ribs. Gavin watched as Devereaux puffed up his chest. Stupid bastard actually thought he was going to win.

“Well now, that is certainly a bit more of a challenge. But I think I am up to the task. The question is, my lady, are you? I wouldn’t want to embarrass you in front of potential suitors.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t want that either, Mr. Devereaux.” She took up three arrows from her quiver. “But I am a fast learner, and you gave me some good tips today. I will accept the risk.”

“Well, then. Since this is to be a contest, there must be a forfeit, must there not?”

“I agree. Hmmm…if I win, you must include me on your morning ride tomorrow, or whichever time the weather cooperates. I haven’t enjoyed a good gallop across the fields since we arrived.”

“Lainey,” Gavin started. “That’s not—”

Lainey smacked her arrows across Gavin’s chest, silencing him.

“And if I win…” Devereaux paused dramatically. “I get to claim the first dance with you at the ball.”

Lainey nodded. “Done.” She picked up her bow. “You’ll also get bragging rights for defeating the county champion.”

“The what now?”

She saluted him with her bow. “Six years running. Good luck!” she said breezily, assuming her spot on the field. Devereaux just stood there with his mouth hanging open, the men guffawing around him. He shook his head and grinned. Elaine Lockwood was a force to be reckoned with. The crowd elbowed and jostled their way over to the staging area.

“Rules are,” Lainey said when Devereaux took his spot. “Take aim, close your eyes, and count to three before you shoot. Anywhere in the center circle counts. Simple. But it’s harder than it sounds.”

“I shall endeavor not to disappoint.”

She smiled at him—a genuine smile. She was enjoying this. “Since I issued the challenge, you may go first.”

“If you insist.” He nocked an arrow, took careful aim, closed his eyes, and counted to three. He let the arrow fly, and it whizzed through the air, landing in the yellow center of the target. The crowd cheered and he laughed. The commotion drew the rest of the partiers over to see what was going on.

Next it was Lainey’s turn. She followed the same procedure, only her arrow barely made it into the yellow circle. The crowd sucked in a collective breath and there were rumblings of disappointment. When she turned in Gavin’s direction to pick up her next arrow, he caught the tiny smile on her lips. She’d done it on purpose, little minx. She was completely toying with Devereaux. God, he loved her.

Gavin froze.

Did he? Well, of course he did. Like a sister. He’d known her forever; she was a permanent fixture in his life. Of course he loved her. He’d said as much to Aidan yesterday.

But…he wouldn’t kiss a sister the way he’d kissed her the other night.

Or maul her on the bank of a pond.

He mentally shook himself. Love her or not, it didn’t matter. He couldn’t have her. HIs blood absolutely boiled whenever someone put their hands on her, particularly Devereaux. He’d envisioned planting him a facer more than once this week, barely able to hold back, for no other reason than that he was touching her. If something so small made Gavin so angry, he couldn’t imagine how he’d react if someone actually hurt her. Up until this week, he’d been able to keep a leash on his temper, but here he seemed to be struggling, and that only reinforced his fears he was going to follow in the footsteps of other men in his family. He would not put her through that. So, it didn’t matter if he loved her or not.

Which was a good thing, because he was rather certain he did.

A roar from the crowd pulled him from his reverie, and he realized he’d missed half the contest. Devereaux had just landed his third arrow dead center in the target, having missed the second shot, and the crowd was whipped into a frenzy. He was grinning from ear to ear, shaking hands with a nearby spectator. Lainey was laughing, her eyes bright, cheeks tinged with pink. Her enjoyment was written all over her face. How long had it been since Lainey had been the center of attention? As long as he’d known her, she’d been the proper, respectable lady whom everyone adored for her kindness. But had she ever really had fun? Gavin suddenly wasn’t so sure. Perhaps he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did. He’d certainly never seen her quite like this. It was something to behold.

Devereaux quieted the crowd down as Lainey nocked her last arrow. Gavin held his breath along with everyone else. Lainey seemed to be taking an inordinate amount of time aiming. A slight breeze ruffled a curl by her face, making it dance. She waited for the breeze to pass, then closed her eyes and began to count. At the last moment, she shifted her arm and let the arrow fly. It was so quiet the whisper of the sailing arrow could be heard…until it landed with a loud thunk! in the center of the target.

Of Devereaux’s target, that is. The crowd erupted with cheers and applause. The women hugged each other and bounced up and down, the men slapped each other on their backs, and Devereaux let his head drop in defeat. Gavin raced toward Lainey and picked her up and spun her around, laughing. She squealed gleefully as she held onto his shoulders for dear life. He stopped and let her down, and she smiled up at him with a face that positively shone with pride.

“That was magnificent, Lainey,” Gavin said, a little out of breath from his exuberance.

“It was rather, wasn’t it?” She giggled.

“You are magnificent,” he said softly. She looked up at him, and her grin faded a little as her eyes dropped to his mouth. She fluttered her lashes back up and locked her gaze with his. Damn if he didn’t want to kiss her, right here in front of everyone. And he knew she would welcome it, too.

He was dimly aware that he still had his hands on her waist, and hers were still on his shoulders. He stepped back quickly as Devereaux approached.

“My lady.” Devereaux executed a grand, sweeping bow. “I concede the contest to you,” he said, loud enough for all to hear. “I have indeed been bested by a woman. And I must say, that—” He pointed to the target. “Was a bloody brilliant shot.” He kissed her hand and the crowd went wild. Laughter bubbled out of her.

“Mr. Devereaux, so happy am I to hear those words from you that I will ignore your use of profanity!” She grinned. “Even if it was bloody brilliant!”

Devereaux gave a bark a laughter. “Lady Elaine, I thank you for the most fun I’ve had in quite some time, even if it was at my expense. May I get you a glass of lemonade?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.”

Devereaux wandered off in search of the beverage, and suddenly Lainey was surrounded by well-wishers. Gavin winked at her and withdrew to let her have her moment with her friends.

“She is quite something, isn’t she?” Elizabeth had appeared at his side, and she looped her arm through his.

“I would have to agree,” Gavin replied, watching the woman in question accept congratulations from her admirers.

“It’s going to be hard to let her go when she chooses someone to marry,” Elizabeth mused. “I shall miss her.”

“Mm.”

“Then again, perhaps she doesn’t have to go too far.”

Gavin belatedly heard her comment, and turned to Elizabeth with a question in his eyes. She smiled benignly up at him, but he hadn’t missed the hint.

“Perhaps.”