Chapter 10 #3
Three weeks or less, she hoped. For some reason she wanted to see their story through, see Catie make a good match and gain her inheritance before she went back to her own time. She looked up at Quinn’s face some more, to try to get used to him, she told herself, but also to commit him to memory.
He grew serious. “I suppose I should at least know a bit about them,” he said begrudgingly, nodding at the suitors. “What can ye tell me? I’ve already got them mixed up.”
She looked over at them. She’d at first been impressed at Oliver’s fortitude in Quinn’s presence, but the grim solemnity in his dark blue eyes told her Oliver would be wise to watch his step where Catie was concerned.
Edwin was smart to be wary around Quinn.
It was clear he would settle for nothing less than his sister’s complete happiness.
“Well, the taller one is Edwin—” she began.
“The one who wouldna meet my eye?” he interrupted.
“Yes. Lord Edwin Hollingsborn will be a marquis one day. Two very good properties.”
“So, we wait for the father to drop before they marry or can they get it done with before?” he asked with a frown at Edwin’s back.
Edwin seemed to know he was under scrutiny and stiffened his spine, still trying to get Catriona to notice him over the Oliver’s radiance.
“Well, either way should be fine,” Lizzie said, ignoring his sarcasm.
“What about the skinny lad who’s sitting far too close to her?” he asked. “And are they all lords? Are the titles that easy to come by down here?” Quinn seemed truly disgruntled and she patted his hand without thinking, quickly pulling away and giving him a look.
“One could argue that you’re sitting rather too close to me,” she said primly.
His eyebrows shot up and he laughed, causing every eye to briefly rest on them before he recovered his stormy face. He leaned in even closer. “I beg your pardon,” he said, his husky tone nearly causing her to ooze off the settee.
But he didn’t move away, which both pleased and discomfited her. She struggled to remain businesslike around him and straightened up.
“The titles aren’t all that easy to come by,” she explained, pretending he wasn’t having a profound effect on her blood pressure. “But the Amberlys are titled, and quite rich. So’s your sister, you know. It just comes with the territory.”
As he continued to look at her interestedly, she adjusted her sleeves and hammered on, half wishing he’d grow bored and leave, and half wanting him to lean in even closer.
It was honestly more like seventy-five percent wanting him to lean closer, but a glance at Lady Amberly told her she needed to lean back.
“You probably know Catie’s grandfather was titled, which unfortunately didn’t transfer to her mum or Lady Amberly. Lady Amberly’s a lady also because she married a baron. Some of them are just courtesy titles or don’t pass down. And a title doesn’t always mean money.”
“How do ye keep up?” he asked, looking like he really wanted to ask why she cared.
She felt a little silly that she’d begun to take it so seriously, but it was quite a rush playing matchmaker, learning who was who and who had what, and always trying to grasp a little higher.
It wasn’t as if she had television. Quinn didn’t seem to be looking down on her though, and Lizzie felt warmly toward him for not bringing up last night, for not questioning her about Solomon Wodge. She felt she could trust him.
“Honestly, it’s all a bit flummoxing to me. Here’s how I keep it straight for my girls.” She took a deep breath and began to recite. “A viscount is very good, and for an earl you may be eager, but a marquis is much better than either. If a duke’s interested, you’re done.”
The look Quinn gave her when she finished made her regret confiding in him and her stomach turned. She cursed herself for letting down her guard. Now he was sure to see through her and denounce her for the fraud she was.
Instead he burst out laughing again. His laugh was infectious but far too loud for the crowded sitting room, and every eye turned their way again, Lady Amberly’s distinctly narrowed. Before anyone could say anything, Quinn stood up, quickly taking all the scrutiny off of her.
“It’s a verra nice day, far too pleasant to stay indoors,” he said as imperiously as any duke.
Lizzie had to hold in a shiver at his commanding presence and saw that Lady Amberly and Edwin’s mother blinked at his brightness, their jaws practically in their bosoms.
“Shall we take a turn in my carriage?” Oliver asked, earning him a look of approval from Catie and a dire glance from Edwin, who had been the original carriage offerer.
“A brilliant suggestion, lad,” Quinn boomed. “We shall be grateful to take ye up on that offer, shall we not, Catie?”
Catie hurried to agree and ran off to change while Oliver left to give orders to ready the carriage. Edwin and his mother tutted and fluttered, not sure they were invited, and consternation over Quinn’s and her coziness from a moment before was forgotten.
Lizzie marveled at his ability to so easily deflect their attention and wondered how he’d gotten so good at such a skill. As she passed by him to gather her shawl and hat, he turned so their hands brushed, feather light but anything but accidental, a definite gleam in his eyes.