To Bed a Beauty (Courtship Wars 2)

“Drew? He is the very best of men. I love him like a brother. Indeed, he and Heath were just like older brothers to me when I was growing up. I wish you could see that side of him, Miss Loring. Drew does not open up to many people-he keeps his feelings reserved with all but his closest friends. But you would love him too if you came to know him like I do.”

“That is high praise indeed,” Roslyn said noncommittally as she sipped her wine. “I have heard others award him accolades. Lady Freemantle says the way he manages his estates is admirable.”

“It is indeed,” Eleanor agreed. “Drew insists on using all the latest scientific methods on his home farms, and has fought the enclosures of common land. His tenants consider themselves extremely fortunate to have them for his lord. And Drew also is admired for his progressive politics and his efforts in Parliament, as well as his generosity toward his many servants and dependents.”

“Does he have many dependents?”

“Heavens yes, a score of them. Aunts, uncles, cousins…most have attached themselves to him like barnacles. They take shameless advantage of his largesse, but he provides for them whether they deserve it or not. Drew considers it his obligation. He takes even better care of his old retainers. The duchess would have turned them all off once they had outserved their usefulness, but Drew wouldn’t allow her to.”

Roslyn frowned. “Is the duchess so very heartless then?”

“Regrettably, yes. But Drew is very different from his mother. Take his old nurse, for instance. Several years ago she became too decrepit to fend for herself, and with no family to care for her, she was likely to wind up in a pauper’s grave. Drew heard of her plight and brought her to live at Arden Castle-gave her quarters in the servant hall where she could be nursed back to health. You should speak to her if you visit the castle, Miss Loring. You will see how his servants worship him. I have always believed you can tell a good deal about a person by observing how they treat their servants.”

“Are you discussing me, minx?” Drew asked, suddenly appearing at Roslyn’s side.

“Of course, what did you expect?” Eleanor dimpled. “I was telling Miss Loring all your secrets.”

He gave a mock shudder. “Saints spare me. Don’t listen to her, sweeting. She knows too many of my foibles.”

“Well, if you will excuse me,” Eleanor said brightly, “I wish to speak to Miss Blanchard. I greatly enjoyed meeting her at my brother’s wedding and would like to further our acquaintance.”

“How long have you known Lady Eleanor?” Roslyn asked Drew once she had left.

“Since she was born. I was shipped off to boarding school at an early age, where I became fast friends with her brother, and Heath as well. I preferred spending all my holidays at their family estates. Arden Castle is a magnificent pile, but it is hardly welcoming to a boy…or child of any age.”

“She seems quite impressed with you,” Roslyn observed.

“As I hope you will be someday,” Drew answered with a quick grin.

Feeling her pulse leap, Roslyn eyed him warily. She already was impressed with Drew, and tonight Lady Eleanor had given her an even greater respect for his character and accomplishments. It puzzled her, however, how a nobleman who cared so generously for his aging servants could be so thickheaded when it came to romantic love.

Just then the Freemantle butler appeared at the drawing room door in order to announce that dinner was served.

“Very good,” Winifred responded. “Oh, and Pointon,” she called. “Make certain the champagne is thoroughly chilled.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Glancing at the guests of honor, Winifred beamed. “I ordered a special champagne from London to toast the happy couple. Your grace, if you will please lead the way to the dining room?”

When Drew offered Roslyn his arm, she found herself frowning thoughtfully up at him. She’d told Tess she had no intention of overtly pursuing him. That he would have to make all the effort if he wanted her to love him enough to actually wed him. And yet, Roslyn reflected, if she truly wished to give their betrothal a fighting chance, perhaps she should attempt to be the kind of woman that appealed to him.

She could be clever and witty if she put her mind to it. She could certainly flirt with him and hang on his every word. Of course she ought not be too flagrant about it in front of Winifred’s guests, but she could subtly apply the lessons he’d taught her about captivating a man. She could even touch him…

Summoning a soft smile, Roslyn placed her hand on his coat sleeve but made a point to brush the skin on the back of his wrist with her fingers. She knew he felt the caress, for he gave her a quick glance of surprise.

“Drew,” she murmured in a husky voice. “I hope you will sit beside me during dinner.”

“I doubt our hostess would permit anything else,” he responded mildly.

Roslyn gave a light, rippling laugh. “No, Winifred would be perfectly delighted if I were to sit in your lap. But I could never be so brazen in public.”

She saw heat flare in his green eyes before they narrowed a little in suspicion.

Maintaining a serene smile, Roslyn said little as the company took their places around the dining table, which gleamed with crystal and silver. However, she listened to Drew with bated breath whenever he spoke.

When the footmen had served the soup course, Roslyn picked up her spoon and sipped, but she waited until Drew was looking directly at her before she slowly licked her lower lip. “I find this cream soup quite delicious, don’t you…?”

Her voice faded as Pointon, the butler, came hurrying into the dining room. Roslyn had never seen the august servant looking so distraught.