Chapter 11
CAROLINE
Thanks to Kendrick’s assistance last night, I was able to avoid dancing with the remaining gentlemen who’d reserved a spot on my dance card. Unfortunately, they were not to be deterred, and I now found myself entertaining a steady stream of unwanted callers.
It was most vexing.
The only man I wouldn’t mind seeing again was Lord Kendrick, but of course he wasn’t here.
I’d had a moment of weakness with him out in the gardens, but today I was determined not to think about the kiss we’d shared.
His interest in me was fleeting. Honestly, given all of his conquests, I was flattered that he would bother with me at all.
And there was something freeing about speaking to a handsome, eligible gentleman who had absolutely no interest in courting me.
Aunt Augusta had undertaken the daunting task of ushering the men out of our drawing room after their allocated fifteen minutes had passed.
That was fourteen minutes too long for my liking, but I forced myself to smile and respond to repetitive observations about how nice the weather was today.
At least their visits were of a relatively short duration, unlike Lord Penham’s.
He’d arrived early and taken a seat by the front window. Because he was sitting with Henry, he wasn’t technically calling on me, which meant Auntie couldn’t ask him to leave.
He was acting as though he already owned me, and every time he spoke, which was far too often for my liking, I had to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out at him.
But midway through the afternoon, something interesting happened.
Six callers were hovering in the drawing room when Lord Farrell mentioned Lord Kendrick, at which point the Legend became all anyone wanted to talk about.
Since the callers were overlapping, the gossip about his current activities continued.
I couldn’t stop myself from grinning as they spoke of him, which I knew would only increase speculation about his interest in me.
Each time the viscount’s name came up, I glanced at my brother and Penham. Henry was displeased, but Penham was obviously annoyed, which brightened my mood considerably.
One caller—I couldn’t remember his name—leaned forward and asked, “Is there any truth to the rumor that you and Lord Kendrick went out onto the balcony alone?”
Aunt Augusta stiffened. “Absolutely not.”
I tilted my head to one side, affecting the air of someone who was confused by the question and ignoring the fact that he’d been unbearably rude to ask it in the first place.
“Of course not. He merely escorted me out there so I could meet my friend, Miss Diana Atherton. We’d made arrangements to meet there after the waltz. ”
Since Diana and I had come in together afterward, the lie would be difficult to disprove. And I suspected that no one here had been aware of her whereabouts before that point. For all they knew, Diana had already been waiting for me.
Five men were speaking over one another in an attempt to get my attention when Auntie remarked that Lord Kendrick wasn’t there.
As a new plan of attack occurred to me, I was powerless to keep myself from adding, “He mentioned that he had a very busy day today and gave me his regrets.”
The young man who’d asked about him frowned. “Is he courting you?”
Aunt Augusta was quick to respond. “I don’t think—”
“Yes.”
Everyone froze, then an amazing thing happened. One by one, the gentlemen wished me a pleasant evening and took their leave. Happiness filled me when the door closed behind the last.
A few men were waiting outside, but when I walked over to the window, I could see the men who’d departed sharing what they’d learned. Again, one by one, each gentleman turned and left.
Aunt Augusta, who was standing next to me, turned and gave me a puzzled frown. “I don’t think it’s wise to encourage attention from one of the Legendary Lords.”
“Henry has already spoken to Viscount Kendrick, and he’s given him permission to court me.” I smiled sweetly at my brother, who was starting to turn red.
“Is this true?” Aunt Augusta asked.
Henry looked at his friend before turning back to us. “I might have done something like that.”
Auntie’s brow furrowed. “Is that wise?”
I spoke before my brother could answer and ruin this for me.
“Baron Moreland was married just last month. Which leads me to believe that the Legends might not be as irredeemable as people were led to believe.” I turned to my brother.
“I’m sure Henry would never have handed me over to Lord Kendrick without knowing the man’s character. ”
Auntie’s mouth dropped open in shock, and she whirled to face my brother. “Handed her over?”
“No, no.” Henry was almost purple now. “She’s trying to be witty. But I did let him know he could call on her.”
“And I do so enjoy his company,” I said, smiling sweetly at Penham.
When he rose and stormed from the room, I wanted to cheer.
My smile widened when the front door slammed behind him. Apparently, I wouldn’t need to be ruined after all. Simply being courted by a Legend would be enough to keep all the other unwanted suitors away.
I only hoped Kendrick wouldn’t be too annoyed when he heard about my little fabrication.