Chapter 7 #2
“We have been invited to a house party this weekend. There is to be archery and a grand foxhunt, but most of all, the chance to gain new investors.” He grinned broadly, and she was mesmerized by the handsome sight.
He truly was quite magnificent to behold.
Adonis, indeed. The Greek legend could not quite hold a candle to Reed Carrington.
However, at the same time she admired his outward appearance, Sariah told herself that it shouldn’t hurt so much that he was looking forward to the event as a way to increase his business rather than spend more time with her, but she supposed she should expect no less.
Or that she didn’t deserve the jab. “It will be nice to escape the growing summer heat,” she noted evenly.
With a slight lift of her chin, she threaded her arm through his and enjoyed the jealous glares she received from some of the other debutantes in attendance. There was a certain satisfaction in claiming to one and all that this man was hers—even if it was only temporary.
Reed packed what he thought he might need for the upcoming country gathering, courtesy of the Marquess of Harville.
This was probably the most promising invitation that he could have ever hoped to receive.
No matter the circumstances that had brought him closer to Miss Kent, he was grateful that he was able to make so many influential connections.
He knew his current tie to her and his growing wealth had something to do with his sudden popularity, but he was not one to look a gift horse in the mouth and ignore the opportunity he’d been given.
He just had to remember with so much uninhibited access to Miss Kent—Sariah—he had to be careful that he didn’t find himself in a worse position.
As it was, things were going perfect. He honestly couldn’t have envisioned such a successful joint venture.
But it was a temporary arrangement and nothing more.
It still bothered him that there might have been some sort of truth to her statement about their difference in stations, but he decided not to waste any more time thinking on the matter because that kiss had overrode everything else.
But that was something he certainly did not need to keep bringing to mind.
Then again, Jackson had mentioned offering the lady what she wanted, so perhaps…
He threw a pair of trousers on the bed and paused in his current task.
He needed to get out of this room or else he was going to go mad.
The carriage was not due to arrive until tomorrow, so he had time to escape.
And yet, the first place he thought of going was to see Sariah.
He hadn’t planned on stopping by the townhouse today, since they would be spending an exorbitant amount of time together for the next two weeks, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself from directing the hackney driver from heading there.
When he arrived, the first thing he saw was Sariah heading down the front steps, her maid trailing a short distance behind her. She had a furious expression on her face, but the instant she saw him, it brightened into a smile. “Mr. Carrington, what a relief it is to see you.”
He frowned. “Is something amiss?”
“My mother is driving me mad,” she said with a huff.
“She has been hovering around me all morning, anxious about what I have in my wardrobe. She fears that some things are too out of fashion for the upcoming season and that this house party is a precursor to gossip.” She rolled her eyes.
“I daresay after one little incident, her efforts have become merciless! It does not seem to signify that we are betrothed and my respectability has not overly suffered.” She adjusted her silk bonnet that matched perfectly with her pale blue dress.
Although she was visibly upset, Reed still admired her shining beauty.
“...that is when I decided I shall go for a walk to escape such horrid confines.” She shook her head and then looked curiously at him. “Why are you smiling?”
He put a hand over his heart. “Forgive me. It is just that your loveliness outshines your frustrations.”
Her cheeks immediately filled with color and as she opened her parasol and began to stroll along the sidewalk, he fell into step beside her.
As they walked together, he realized it seemed like the most natural thing to do.
For someone who had lived their life chasing danger and causing havoc, he realized that settling down might not be such a terrible objective after all.
Not only that, but for all her failings, he could not imagine anyone more appealing than Sariah.
Nobody was perfect and it was those occasional weaknesses that he admired the most.
“You are quite the flatterer today, Mr. Carrington,” she said evenly. “I wonder why that is?”
“Perhaps it is the desire to hear my name cross your lips again.”
She slid her gaze around them and then lifted on her tiptoes to whisper wickedly in his ear,
“Reed.”
He had to force himself to behave since they were on a public street.
Otherwise, she would have paid for that seductive tone.
“Ah. The sweetest sound in the world.” He allowed his lips to curve slightly.
“Until I can find a way to secure you in a bedchamber that is. No doubt the moans and gasps you express during an orgasm will be—”
She wrinkled her nose in frustration, and he thought he detected a slight bit of freckles along the bridge as her flesh reddened slightly. “Shall you be this insufferable in the country?”
He laughed. “Undoubtedly. Do you not know by now that bedeviling you is one of my favorite pastimes?”
“I am starting to see that, yes.”
She sent him a coy smile that further endeared him to her. He knew that things were going too far too fast, but he couldn’t stop it from happening. There was a connection between them that was undeniable. She might be too naive to understand the dangers, but he was not.
He remained with her until they had reached Hyde Park, where he decided that perhaps he should take his leave. He was about to depart when another voice interceded.
“Miss Kent.”
Reed glanced up and saw an elderly gentleman tipping his hat as he passed them by on the park path. He did not spare more than a glance at Reed as he continued walking with his silver headed cane tapping at his side.
“Your Grace,” Sariah murmured politely.
Reed glanced at her. “Was that the Duke of Ganoway?”
“It was.”
He looked after the retreating figure. “I have been trying to gain an audience with him for weeks but he never seems to be available...”
She smiled. “Allow me to introduce you.” She lifted her skirts and easily caught up to the older gentleman.
As she approached him, they had a brief conversation.
Reed had not yet caught up to them and could not hear what was being said, but as the duke turned to look behind him, he shook his head and appeared to walk on.
Reed paused, but Sariah did not seem to accept the retreat and continued to appeal to the gentleman.
He did not break his stride, but Reed could tell his posture was starting to become annoyed.
Reed decided it was time to intercede before the duke had an apoplexy in the middle of Rotten Row.
“...I said I was not interested!”
Reed caught the final snippet of the duke’s words, and it became clear what they had been discussing. “Pardon the intrusion,” he interjected smoothly. He discounted the duke and kept his focus entirely on Sariah. “Shall we continue our enjoyment of this lovely day, my lady?”
The duke gave an annoyed sniff, but he was ignored.
“Of course, Mr. Carrington. I should be honored.” She lifted her chin and shot a speaking glance at the duke, who continued on his way, completely unrepentant for his actions.
As they resumed their stroll, Reed heard her mumble under her breath, “The old curmudgeon.”
Reed knew what she was referencing without having to utter another word. Discrimination because of his upbringing was something he was well used to by now. “Do not concern yourself with his refusal. I should not have asked you to approach him.”
“I did not know he was so prejudiced,” she said in frustration. “It was wrong of him to treat you in such a crude manner. You deserve much more regard than what he just showed to you.”
He stopped and with a slight smile curving his lips, he lifted her hand to his lips where he gently placed a kiss. “Your gallant interception on behalf of my honor is more appreciated than any agreement I might have made with the duke. Thank you, Sariah.”
He offered her his arm again and she accepted without hesitation.