Chapter 3 #2
“I know, but I have no doubt you’ll be getting many more invitations as the Season wears on. I want to attend them all,” Miss Parker said.
“Well, we must first consult Fletcher on these things.”
“Of course, I understand, but you will try to convince him to let us attend as many events as possible, won’t you?”
“We shall see, dearest,” Lady Fletcher said.
“Easton,” Lady Devon said before Miss Parker had a chance to argue further with her sister. “I’ve heard from your sister, and she’ll be in London with Sir Samuel and the children soon.”
“Oh? How wonderful. When are they expected?” he asked.
“I believe they’ll be here by Tuesday next.”
“How delightful,” Lady Fletcher chimed in. “I can hardly wait to see how much the children have grown.”
“I know,” Lady Devon said. “Babies grow so fast. I’ll send a note around when they arrive.”
“Thank you, Lady Devon. I’ll look forward to it,” Lady Fletcher said.
After they finished their tea, Lady Fletcher and Miss Parker said their goodbyes and departed. The air seemed to deflate from the room with her departure.
Easton sighed. What was wrong with him? Why was he so obsessed with that slip of a girl?
“Easton, is something amiss? You’re very quiet today,” his mother said.
“Not at all. I’m fine. One can hardly get a word in when Miss Parker is speaking.”
Lady Devon chuckled. “Indeed, my dear, but she’s a delight. So, tell me, how long have you been in love with her?”
Easton startled at his mother’s question. “What? In love with Miss Parker? Really, Mother, nothing could be further from the truth. She’s young, brash, and definitely a handful—certainly not ready to find a husband, in my opinion.”
“If you say so, dear. Will you be at the Carter soiree tonight?”
“I haven’t decided,” he said, standing. “I must be off. I have a few things to attend to. Good day, Mother.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and left as quickly as he could, totally baffled by her perception.
The last thing he wanted was for anyone to find out about his feelings for Miss Parker.
He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to marry this Season.
The one thing he did know was that he longed to be where Miss Parker was, but did that mean he wanted her by his side for the rest of his life?
That was the question he was struggling with.
How had his mother figured it out? Lady Devon was a very astute lady of the ton and not much escaped her attention, but she’d surprised him today, and not in a good way. In addition to his friends teasing him about being distracted by a woman, now his mother had caught onto his interest.
As he left Devon House, his mind was in turmoil.
Miss Parker was like a bright light—almost too bright to gaze upon, but absolutely irresistible to look at, even if it burned.
If she merely thought of him as a friend, then he had to get control of his feelings and bury them deep, so deep that he’d no longer be haunted by her mere presence.
He thought he’d already accomplished that until he saw her again in London.
The feelings he thought he’d buried over a year ago had burst to the forefront once again, and he was having a hard time putting them back in that deeply hidden box.
From now on, he would have to avoid any and all events she might attend.
It was the only way for him to move forward and forget about her.
He was a grown man, and he could do this.
After all, there were plenty of beautiful and willing women who wanted to share his bed.
He’d never lacked for female companionship, but he was at the stage in his life where he wanted more than mindless relationships.
Did that mean he truly wished to marry?
Would anyone do, or was it only Miss Parker’s hand he wished to win?
He trudged along aimlessly until he found himself on Bond Street.
He needed a new pair of boots, and what better way to pass the time than getting measured for one?
Unfortunately, it didn’t take as long as he’d hoped for his measurements to be taken, so he finished in plenty of time to return to his rooms at the Albany and change into his evening wear.
As much as he didn’t want to go to the Carter soiree this evening, he couldn’t seem to help himself, especially if it meant he’d have a chance to talk with Miss Parker without other gentlemen hanging on her every word.
His earlier resolve to avoid her at all costs had melted like butter on hot bread.
He was angry with himself for not staying away, and his poor cravat took the brunt of his frustration. He threw it on the floor.
“Bollocks,” he growled as he reached for a new cravat. This time, he managed to tie it properly before shrugging into his jacket.
By the time he made it to the Carter townhouse for the soiree, the evening was well underway. He was greeted at the door by the butler, who took his hat and walking stick. “The guests are gathered in the drawing room, my lord. Please follow me.”
Easton followed the butler down the hallway until he heard the sound of voices. “I can manage from here,” he said to the butler. “No need to announce me.”
“As you wish, my lord,” the butler said, walking back to once again man the front door.
Easton slipped inside the room without anyone noticing at first. Several guests were in a lively discussion with one of the poets who’d also been invited to speak this evening.
He glanced around the room until he found her.
She was seated next to a gentleman he didn’t recognize, and Lady Fletcher sat on her other side.
Who was this gentleman? Whoever he was, Miss Parker seemed quite invested in their conversation.
She was smiling and chuckling at something he said.
So much for having her attention all to himself this evening.
Should he just leave? Before he could make a decision, Lady Fletcher saw him and waved him over.
“Good evening, Lord Easton. So lovely to see you this evening.”
“Lady Fletcher, the pleasure is mine,” he said with a bow.
Miss Parker looked up and gave him a brilliant smile that made his heart swell. “Lord Easton, you came! I’m so pleased to see you.”
“How could I pass up the evening when the lovely Lady Fletcher is going to entertain us with her singing?”
The gentleman next to Miss Parker stood. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Berkeley.”
Easton tried to think where he’d heard that name, but he couldn’t quite place it.
“Lord Berkeley is our neighbor in Reading. He owns the estate next to Dandridge Manor,” Miss Parker said.
Now he remembered reading about the previous earl’s death more than a year ago. “Berkeley, pleased to meet you. I’ve not seen you around London before.”
“No, I stayed in the country when my father’s health began to decline and have only recently come to London.”
“Where are you staying?”
“At Berkeley House on the outskirts of Mayfair. It’s been years since anyone’s lived there, so it needs a bit of updating. Lady Fletcher and Miss Parker have graciously offered to help me redecorate.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s not nearly as bad as Lord Berkeley says,” Miss Parker said. “With a good cleaning and airing out, it’ll be easier to see what renovations are actually needed.”
Before they had a chance to talk further, the hostess announced that Lady Fletcher would be the next guest to entertain them.
“Here, Lord Easton, take my seat,” Lady Fletcher said.
Easton nodded and sat next to Miss Parker while Berkeley sat down on her other side.
He wanted to dislike Berkeley on sight, but he had no cause, except maybe for the fact that the man was too handsome by far, with his thick black hair, broad shoulders, and chiseled jaw.
Did women find that appealing? Of course they did, if the looks the other women in the room were giving Lord Berkeley were any indication.
Why couldn’t the man have been a toad?
He’d been to Dandridge Manor a number of times in the past eighteen months to visit the Fletchers, but he hadn’t met Lord Berkeley on any of those visits.
Perhaps Berkeley wasn’t much of a threat when it came to Miss Parker’s affections after all.
Then he heard her giggle again. When he glanced over, she and Berkeley had their heads together, furiously whispering back and forth.
It was a dagger to his heart.
So much for not disliking Berkeley.