Chapter 14 #2
Brooke’s eyes grew wide. “Are you interested in Mr. Glover?”
Marie glanced at Brooke. If Brooke really was Tove, and Marie had every reason to believe she was, then there was no reason to hide the truth from her.
“I might be. I need more time to decide if I am.” She waited for the lady’s reaction.
Would Brooke grant her more time in this life to make sure she wanted to be with Edward?
Brooke grinned and rose to her feet. “In that case, we should greet him.”
Relieved Brooke was going to allow it, she joined the lady, and the two made their way over to him before he had a chance to climb up the steps to his townhouse.
He offered them both a nod and greeted them. “It’s a lovely autumn day, wouldn’t you agree?”
Brooke glanced at Marie, allowing her the right to speak first.
“It is.” Not knowing what else to say to keep the conversation going, she caught sight of something he had tucked under his arm. “Is that a book?”
With a chuckle, he showed it to them. “It’s uncanny that I happened to see you both right after picking this up from the bookstore. It’s a collection of stories pertaining to the season. There’s even one that involves Shifty Jack.”
Brooke’s eyes lit up. “There is?”
“The story about Shifty Jack is why I ended up buying this specific book instead of another one. I keep thinking about the story we came up with at Mr. Anderson’s dinner party. It’s a shame we didn’t get to continue it.”
“I agree,” Brooke replied. “I was disappointed when it ended with the children disappearing. I’d like to know what Lady Sharon would have added to it.”
“I think Lady Sharon wanted someone else to continue it,” Marie intervened. “She stopped at that point for a reason. She probably didn’t know what to say next.”
Brooke nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“But that means we can make the rest of it up if we want to,” Marie suggested.
In fact, they could do so right now if Edward would allow them to stay over for a visit in his townhouse.
She didn’t think it would be a problem to spend some time with him if Brooke was there.
And certainly, there would be a servant in the room to make sure everyone’s reputations were protected.
Her gaze went to Edward, wondering if he might extend the invite.
However, Edward said, “Lord Monheim is having a dinner party. I hear you both are attending. I am, too. Perhaps we can convince him to play the game again so we can continue the story.”
“I don’t know if he’ll allow it,” Brooke replied, her tone hinting at her disappointment. “He was eager to play cards instead.”
Edward’s enthusiasm dimmed. “That’s right. He wasn’t in favor of the game. Since he’ll be the host, he’ll lead the evening’s entertainment.”
Marie was ready to hint that he could host a dinner party where they’d be guaranteed the game could continue when a gentleman approached them.
It was Lord Noel. “I thought that was you, Lady Marie.” He offered the three a greeting then turned his attention back to her.
“I heard Lord Monheim is having a dinner party. I regret that I wasn’t invited.
I thought we got along so well at Mr. Anderson’s dinner party. ”
Though she couldn’t understand why he was telling her this, she could understand why he felt left out. If she found out others in attendance at Mr. Anderson’s dinner party had been invited except for her, she’d be hurt, too. “I didn’t realize you weren’t invited. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I hear Lady Diane and Lady Sharon weren’t invited, either,” Brooke spoke up.
Really? Marie hadn’t heard that. But then, if Brooke was Tove, she would know that kind of thing, wouldn’t she?
“Yes, but it wasn’t Lady Diane or Lady Sharon that Lord Monheim had an interest in,” Lord Noel replied with a glance going to Marie once more.
Marie’s face warmed. Was Lord Noel implying what she thought he was implying?
Had Lord Monheim set up the dinner party specifically with her in mind, and in doing so, had he made sure to eliminate her other suitors?
Lord Monheim didn’t know Edward had been her betrothed in her other life.
As far as he knew, she wasn’t even considering Edward for marriage.
Of course, he had no reason to. Edward hadn’t given her the slightest indication he wished to court her.
She forced back the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach. Edward didn’t know her. He hadn’t had a chance to get to know her. In her other life, they had been matched up. That was different from meeting someone first and then developing romantic feelings for them.
“What a pleasant day we’re having,” Lord Efferson called out as he approached. He smiled at Marie. “I’m glad I happened to chance upon an encounter with you again.”
Marie’s face grew hotter. When Lord Efferson had visited her Saturday afternoon, he had made it clear that he wanted to see her again. She had hesitated to respond since she didn’t return the sentiment.
“May I ask if you are attending Lord Monheim’s dinner party this week?” Lord Noel asked Lord Efferson.
Lord Efferson shook his head. “I wasn’t aware he was having a dinner party.”
“It’s on Wednesday,” Lord Noel told him. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t invited.”
“How is his dinner party better than anyone else’s?”
“He invites the right kind of ladies.” Lord Noel’s gaze returned to Marie.
Marie wished he would stop. This was terribly embarrassing. She could tolerate it in front of Brooke, but in front of Edward, it was unbearable.
Brooke let out an uncomfortable chuckle.
“The three of us were saying that we’re hoping Lord Monheim will allow us to play a game where we make up a story.
That’s what we did before at Mr. Anderson’s dinner party,” she clarified for Lord Efferson’s sake, “but not everyone enjoyed it. It sounds like those invited to Lord Monheim’s dinner party did, though.
Perhaps he would like to play a game like that again.
Maybe that’s why he invited the people he did. ”
“That’s nice of you to say, but I know the real reason,” Lord Noel argued with another glance in Marie’s direction. “I suppose I’ll have to host a dinner party of my own.”
“If anyone wants a dinner party worth going to, they’d attend one of mine,” Lord Efferson bragged. “My cook is an Italian, and he’s so good that he’s hosted three dinners for the Pope.” His gaze went to Marie, his eyebrow raised. “Should I send an invitation?”
“Not until I have my dinner party,” Lord Noel inserted.
Marie felt her gut tighten. These two weren’t about to get into a fight in public, were they? She looked at Brooke then whispered, “Can’t you do something to stop this?”
Brooke gave Marie a bewildered expression to let her know she either couldn’t—or maybe wouldn’t—intervene. Perhaps Marie had misjudged Tove’s abilities. Tove might be able to manipulate some things, but she might not have any control over people’s actions.
Marie cleared her throat. “Gentlemen, I don’t think this is the place to…to…” Oh, for heaven’s sake. Did she have to point out that they were arguing over her right in front of Edward? Such a thing would be too embarrassing to say out loud.
“What a coincidence finding so many of you together,” the Duke of Hashboro interrupted as he came up to them. Not hiding his affection for Marie, he turned directly to her. “I had a marvelous afternoon with you on Friday. You’re much better at cards than you let on. I demand a rematch.”
“You can’t demand to spend time with her,” Lord Noel argued. “You have to ask. Asking is the gentlemanly thing to do.”
Lord Efferson stepped between Lord Noel and the Duke of Hashboro. “Both of you will have to wait. My cook will make Lady Marie a meal so divine she won’t even remember who the two of you are after she eats it.”
“What kind of promise is that?” Lord Noel retorted.
“A very self-serving one,” the Duke of Hashboro replied, not hiding his irritation.
Marie tugged on Brooke’s arm and whispered, “Can’t you please do something to stop this? Everyone around us is starting to watch us.”
If only the Earth would open up and swallow her so she could get out of this. How humiliating! She was never going to recover from this. She peeked over at Edward. Or rather, she peeked over at the spot where Edward had been. She let out a gasp when she realized he was entering his townhouse.
She wanted to call out for him to return. Of course, she couldn’t. It would only make things worse. Some people had gathered around them to watch as the three gentlemen, whose voices were growing louder and louder by the second, continued their argument.
“I’m sure there’s plenty of room in Lady Marie’s social calendar to please everyone,” Brooke was saying to no effect.
Fortunately, a policeman stepped up to them and put a stop to the quarrel.
Marie used the distraction to pull Brooke away from them. Making sure no one noticed, she hurried Brooke down the street with her. She waited until they turned down the next block before she spoke. “Why did you allow them to continue on like that?”
“I didn’t know what to say. I was as overwhelmed as you were,” Brooke insisted. “I never saw gentlemen argue over a lady before.”
“But you had to have known this might happen when every gentleman I come across is attracted to me.”
“Obviously, it was possible, but really, how many incidents have you heard of it happening? Even Lady Diane doesn’t inspire public arguments. She’s second to you when it comes to desirability.”
Marie thought over her words and realized she was right. Diane was the most sought-after lady in her other life, and there had never been a public scene like this that had involved her. “Forgive me. I’m just distraught. How will I ever show my face in public after this?”
“I don’t think this will affect you badly. It’s the gentlemen who’ll look foolish.”
“Do you really think so?”
“Yes, of course. Anyone with common sense will see you did nothing to instigate the whole thing.”
Marie felt herself calm. Maybe Tove was right. Maybe her reputation was still intact. And, that being the case, she still had a chance to find out if Edward was the right one for her.