CHAPTER 4
The “intimate family dinner” his mother promised turned out to be a grand affair that included over twenty people.
And the most aggravating fact was that “Titania” was not among the guests yet.
It irked him that the made-up name was the only one he had to call her.
Had she been able to get out of the maze safely?
What if she was lost…? No, that was unlikely.
He had searched the maze before exiting and had found no trace of her.
What if she didn’t appear? How would he ever search for her if he didn’t know the first thing about her?
Well… that was not true. He knew her eyes sparkled with laughter and mischief.
And that she crafted complex scents designed to fit the wearer.
He knew her blushes indicated she was a bit bashful, but the way she had flirted and challenged him belied a bold spirit.
And the way she had kissed him? She had been a creature of passion and fire in his arms.
He cleared his throat and took a sip of sherry, his face scrunching up as the sweet tanginess of the wine hit his palate. Sherry was not his preferred drink.
He had to stop thinking about that kiss or risk getting an erection in the middle of his mother’s drawing room.
He looked around again. Was she really one of the guests?
He should have insisted on her real name.
What an idiot he was. He had finally found a lady worth wooing, and he had immediately misplaced her.
He kept replaying her words in his mind, attempting to decipher their meaning, but it was useless. He was about to approach his mother to inquire about the guest list and whether it included a young blonde beauty when his brother waylaid him.
“Good evening, Michael. Father tells me you are finally willing to settle down and take a wife.”
Michael barely refrained from rolling his eyes.
Of course his father would have shared that bit of news with his brother.
He had merely told his father he might have found a lady he wished to court.
In part because he was still riding high on emotion after the encounter in the garden, and in part to get the duke off his back.
But instead, the old codger had taken up the cause with enthusiasm.
“I may have found a lady I wish to pursue. But talk of marriage is premature. In any case, my betrothal is not the topic of the moment. Yours is. When are we going to meet your esteemed bride-to-be?”
“You will probably meet her at the same time as me. Whenever she deigns to appear.”
Michael turned to his brother in shock. “You mean to tell me you haven’t met the woman you intend to marry?”
“I have not. And it doesn’t matter. It’s an arranged marriage.”
“But, Henry, you are going to have to live with this woman. You’ll be tied to her for the rest of your lives. What if you don’t suit?”
“That’s what mistresses are for.” At his look of incredulity, his brother, the arrogant arse, simply shrugged.
“What? It’s the way for people of our class.
Wives are for begetting heirs, securing the lineage, and building alliances.
Mistresses are for fun and warmth. I expect that after producing an heir and a spare, we’ll go our separate ways. ”
He could have told his brother of the potential for disaster his plan held, but at that moment his attention was diverted by the entrance of his Titania, and his brother’s problems fell from his mind like water sluicing over a smooth stone.
“Well, I think we are about to meet my intended bride,” Henry said.
He was so focused on the lovely vision of his garden fairy that it took a moment for his brother’s words to register.
And then a few more seconds to follow Henry’s gaze to where she stood, surrounded by his mother, father, and an older woman he assumed was her mother.
His gaze ricocheted between his brother and her, and his blood froze.
No, it couldn’t be. Fate could not be so cruel.
This had to be a misunderstanding. All will be made clear when we are introduced later tonight.
Surely she wouldn’t have kissed him the way she did if she were his brother’s intended bride?
My identity will be revealed. Her words came back to taunt him. There’s no need to talk to my father.
Bloody hell. They were coming toward where he stood next to his brother, and she was smiling at him.
Smiling radiantly, as if everything was well.
Was this all a lark to her? Could she be so devious that she considered it a great escapade to conceal her identity and dally with her fiancé’s brother in the garden?
Or worse, did she intend to take him as a lover after she married his brother? The mere idea made his gut roil.
He didn’t know what emotion was showing on his face, but if it was anything like what he was feeling, he must be wearing a thunderous expression indeed.
She correctly interpreted he was not amused by whatever game she was playing and the sparkling smile slid from her face, but still a shy uncertain smile lingered in between nervous looks.
And then they were face to face. His mother was saying something. Performing the introductions, no doubt.
“Montfort, allow me to introduce Lady Josephine Everly.”
If he had not been looking at her, he would have missed the way she blinked and her eyes skittered between himself and his brother.
Then the blood seemed to drain from her face when his brother bowed in response to the introduction.
Her eyes widened slightly and every trace of a smile vanished from her face.
The impression lasted only one second, immediately covered by a social mask, fake smile included.
But he had been looking and saw the shock on her face.
Had she not known his brother was her fiancé?
She offered her hand to his brother, who obligingly kissed it, murmuring some pleasantry.
“Lady Josephine, this is my son Henry, Lord Montfort.” His mother went on, oblivious to the undercurrents going on between Lady Josephine and him.
After the first and most important introduction was performed, her mother turned to him.
“Michael, Lady Josephine, your brother’s intended. Lady Josephine, this is Lord Michael, my younger son.”
Younger son. The qualifier sounded like an epithet. He had never resented not being the heir. Had never coveted anything his brother had. Until this moment. He bowed over her hand, waiting for her to acknowledge their acquaintance. She didn’t, of course.
“Lord Michael,” she said, her voice strangled as she executed an elegant little curtsy. “A pleasure to meet you.”
So she was going to pretend they had never met before? He would let her… for now.
“The pleasure is all mine, Lady Josephine,” He intentionally emphasized the word pleasure, and was rewarded by seeing her squirm and blush.
He was burning for answers, yearning to grab her hand, take her to a private spot and demand an explanation, but now was not the time.
The butler announced that dinner was served, and he had to relinquish her to his brother, who led her to the dining room.
He watched her leave on Henry’s arm. Sit beside him at the table.
Smile at him, converse with him. He could not tell what dishes his mother’s superb chef served them.
He must have eaten some of it, but he barely tasted the food.
Jealousy and resentment churned inside him, mixing with a sense of betrayal to create a dangerous potion.
And when his brother smiled at her, he felt fratricidal.
He excused himself from the table as soon as it was polite to do so, and forgoing the port with the gentleman, sought refuge in the empty billiards room. Biding his time. Soon, he would confront his deceitful lady of the garden.
His brother’s fiancée.
Bloody, bloody hell.