Chapter 2
Cora stood with several other women as Christopher shared a tale about traveling in France. When he first arrived, he’d greeted her warmly, but now she found herself one of many ladies clamoring for his attention. She didn’t like it.
“The stability of France continues to be a work in progress,” he explained.
“What place did you enjoy visiting the most?” Lady Hannah asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Cora forced herself not to roll her eyes. There were a great many women at her family’s estate party because her mother hoped to find a bride for her brother. Yet they all seemed most interested in Christopher.
“Marseille.”
“Where is that?” Lady Eliza asked.
Christopher frowned. “I’m trying to think how best to describe the location.”
Cora loved maps and anything related to geography. “It is in the Mediterranean. Located in the central area of the French southern coastline.”
All the ladies stared at her, surprised. Christopher grinned at her. “Lady Cora is an avid collector of maps. And yes, she described the location perfectly.”
Hannah scrunched up her nose. “Maps. What use does a lady have for such things?”
“She explained Lord Bellamy’s location to you,” Cora’s friend Abigail stated.
Hannah glowered at Abigail, who only smirked back at her. Christopher added, “We all have hobbies. There is nothing wrong with Cora’s being a little peculiar.”
Her gaze flew to Christopher’s face. He’d never found her map collection strange before. Still, before she could remind Christopher of that, his interest seemed to shift completely to Hannah, who stood shockingly close to him. The brazen lady murmured, “Will you escort me to fetch some lemonade?”
“Of course,” he said.
All the other ladies dispersed, marking this as a victory for Hannah.
Cora stared after them. She was still surprised, and if she was truthful, somewhat hurt that Christopher called her maps peculiar.
They’d used those same maps to dream up places to travel to as children. Something felt amiss between them.
“Well, he is enjoying the attention,” Abigail said.
Cora studied Christopher. He was different, bronzed from the sun and bulkier.
The last two years had transformed him. Unease settled in her stomach because he seemed almost too changed.
Stop it. Christopher only appeared unlike himself because so many people wanted to hear about his adventures.
Once they had a quiet moment, it would be the same between them.
“He returned from a grand tour. I don’t think there is any other option but to share the details.”
“Yes, with Hannah’s bosom.”
His gaze had dipped down more than once to the lady’s front. Cora turned away, certain Christopher would choose her. Their friendship and being neighbors made them well-suited. What more could either want? “I look forward to discussing his travels at length without so many around.”
Abigail shook her head. “I don’t know how you can be so confident about someone whom you haven’t seen in years.”
“We are well-suited.”
Her dear friend snorted. “Well, right now, your well-suited friend is very distracted. Though I will admit it may be difficult to untangle himself from all the interested ladies. His travels make him the most intriguing man at your house party. He is even more popular than your brother and the roguish Blythe. They are dukes!”
Cora glanced at her brother and his friend, Blythe.
They seemed happy not to be the center of attention for once.
Women, both unmarried and wed, often flocked to Blythe.
She pondered what made him a rogue. While flirtatious at society events, he always stayed respectful.
Maybe it was what he did in private. Cora flushed.
Why was she imagining what Blythe might be up to alone?
He stood taller than most of the men in the room.
His chiseled face, full chestnut hair, and broad form made him well-liked among the ladies.
Still, Cora suspected the tragic tale of his marriage was why he was so popular.
He’d fallen madly in love with his wife, only for her to perish a few years later.
His life read like a dramatic romance novelette.
Many ladies hoped to be the one to mend his broken heart.
She didn’t understand the appeal. What was the interest in marrying someone who’d loved another so deeply?
Would they ever have room in their heart for you?
Truthfully, a match with Blythe seemed impractical and exhausting.
He looked across the room, and a slow, enticing smile spread across his face.
His gaze roamed over something, savoring it.
Cora’s cheeks went warm as she watched him. Of course, there was no denying the allure of Blythe. She glanced in the direction he looked and found it was Lady Clark at the end of his heated stare. She supposed it wasn’t marriage that ladies fantasized about when it came to the wayward duke.
“Even you find him fascinating,” Abigail pointed out with a grin. She’d caught Cora contemplating Blythe.
She sighed. “He is appealing, but long-term, I find him unsuitable as a husband prospect.”
Abigail whispered, “I think your devotion to Christopher is impacting your judgment. He is now speaking with Lady Eliza, by the way.”
“I’m certain he is simply sharing stories about his trip. Things will return to normal soon.”
“Don’t you wonder what it would be like to be swept away by someone?” Abigail asked.
Her friend loved romance novelettes far more than Cora did. She read them avidly, and they clouded all her thoughts on potential matches. “I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about it.”
“How can you know Christopher is right for you then?”
She glanced at him, standing with Eliza and a few more ladies now. He’d always been her choice. “I know.”
“I will stop challenging you about him then. I, personally, will not wed until I’m overcome with passion for my suitor.”
Cora shook her head and looped her arm through Abigail’s. “No more marriage talk. We hear enough of that from our mothers. Shall I tell you about my maps?”
Abigail laughed. “Only if I can tell you about the book I’m reading.”
***
Damion grinned at Lady Clark, who shot him a saucy wink.
He’d been surprised to see Meredith here.
She enjoyed spending her time in the city and rarely ventured to the country.
The lady and her husband had a discreet open marriage but still tried to stay out of each other’s way.
That meant he usually never went to London, and she never left the city.
Stanton muttered, “Look at all the ladies flocking around Bellamy.”
He reluctantly stopped his perusal of Meredith and asked, “Jealous?”
His friend snorted. “Surprised and will be watching him closely. My sister thinks they might be a match.”
Damion turned away from Meredith, turning his attention to Bellamy. The man appeared happy to be surrounded by a bevy of ladies. Where was Stanton’s sister? “He enjoys being the center of attention.”
“Let’s hope it is a momentary thing.”
Damion suspected Stanton’s optimism might be far-fetched. Bellamy didn’t strike him as a man ready to settle down with a wife. “I’m sure there are plenty of options for Lady Cora.”
His friend sighed. “Yes, there are, but she is determined that Bellamy is the most well-suited to be her husband.”
“Why?” he asked.
“She likes that he is our neighbor.”
Damion frowned. It seemed like a strange reason to wed someone, but he was the last person who should criticize anyone’s choices.
Bellamy motioned for Stanton to join him. Sighing, Stanton said, “Time to play host.”
“Lady Clark appears bored. I will go keep her company.”
His friend warned, “Stay out of trouble.”
“She and I are old friends,” Damion said with a smile. Stanton snorted.
He made his way to the lady. She stood by a window sipping punch. “May I join you?”
“I could never refuse you, Damion.”
Meredith was a beautiful woman. She was petite and curvy with a dimple on her right cheek. They’d spent more than one evening together. The two of them were very similar, to be honest. Attraction was acceptable, emotion not so much.
“It isn’t common for you to venture out of London.”
She sighed, “My husband decided he needed to spend a few weeks at the Mayfair townhouse, so I’ve planned accordingly.”
Tenderness and understanding flared in Damion. He understood what it meant to be with someone who held no interest in you, even though the world thought otherwise.
She took a sip of her punch. “I’m enjoying watching Bellamy get fawned all over. He returned more handsome than when he departed.”
“Careful, Meredith. I believe our host’s sister has him in her sights.”
Meredith shook her head. “I hope not. He isn’t a man who looks ready to settle down. She is such a lovely lady.”
His friend’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and she added. “Honestly, she would make you an ideal match.”
Meredith’s words shocked him. One, he wasn’t searching for a wife, and two, a young, na?ve miss was not his type. “Hardly.”
Meredith nodded at someone, and he turned to find Lady Cora talking with another lady by the refreshment table. “She is stunning, and I heard very sweet.”
Damion had wed a sweet lady who spent most of her time in the country. It hadn’t worked out. Firmly, he said, “I’m not looking.”
Meredith smiled, amused, but sadness lurked in her eyes. “We are a depressing pair, you and I. I’m married only on paper, and you with your tragic love story.”
He’d never revealed the true details about his wife, Lily, to Meredith, but she somehow seemed to understand. “All we can do is embrace small moments of happiness when we have the chance.”
His friend and sometime lover glanced at Lady Cora again. “You are not in my situation, Damion. Don’t waste your chances.”
Damion’s eyes flicked back to Cora. She was a beautiful woman, but not his usual type.
Most of his lovers were petite and curvy, not tall and slender like the woman he studied.
Her thick, blonde curls were partially tied up on her head, and for a moment, he envisioned them cascading all around her shoulders.
Meredith giggled. “You do find her enchanting.”
He yanked his gaze away. “Many women are attractive. It doesn’t mean I plan to marry any of them. I find you very alluring too.”
They grinned at one another, but Meredith sighed. “Yet, I suspect nothing will come of your comment while we are here. I hear the Dowager Duchess of Stanton is already fretting about your roguish behavior.”
“I’ve promised to be on my best behavior.”
“Pity,” she said. “I think I will join the ladies speaking with Bellamy. I don’t want to be the only lady who hasn’t heard about his travels.”
He smiled. She started to depart but turned back. “But I do mean it, Damion. We aren’t in the same situation, you and I. Don’t be afraid to open your heart back up.”
“You are a dear friend.”
She winked cheekily. “Yes, I am.”
He watched her leave, and then his gaze flitted back to Lady Cora. Why would Meredith think they might be a good fit? He’d met Lady Cora more than once and never thought of her in that way. She was Stanton’s sister after all.