Talk of the Ton (Free Fellows League 5)

“That is an extraordinary question.”

His triumphant look held a challenge she could not refuse. He stayed silent, and she thought about it. “I suppose,” she began, wondering if he would be horrified, “that I would like to be a Member of Parliament.”

“You joke! And sit in chambers through all those boring speeches?”

“I would not find them boring.”

The laugh that escaped him was explosive. “Bravo! It would be a fit pastime for you, for you do love to debate. And that, Miss Alt, in case you were wondering, is a most sincere compliment.”

“It is good of you, Lord Hatherleigh,” she murmured. She felt the hot flush of pleasure.

He grinned. “Indeed it is. You have put me to a most harrowing test.”

“You are teasing me again.”

“But not meanly.”

Cassandra entered, and Jenny noted the brightness of her eyes as she took in the scene. “What is this? I did not know you were in here, Jenny.”

The earl came to his feet. “Miss Alt was keeping me in stimulating company.”

Forcing a smile, Cassandra looked at her cousin. “Really? Thank you, Jenny. You missed a wonderful day today.” She took the seat close to the earl, and he resumed his. “Did we not have a wonderful time, Miles?”

Cassandra was having no discomfort with the earl’s Christian name.

“I was telling Miss Alt that it was quite enjoyable. Until the rain, that is.”

“Yes, how dreadful. It spoiled our plan. We were to have tea at a hotel, Jenny. I was positively giddy anticipating everyone’s reaction when they saw me walk in with the mysterious Earl of Hatherleigh! But we shall do it some other time, shan’t we, Miles?”

“I do hope so.” He turned to Jenny. “And I hope we can all enjoy such a spectacular outing. Perhaps we can plan it on a day when Miss Alt does not have other plans.”

Cassandra’s eyes flashed with displeasure. She was not used to having to share any man’s attentions.

“Oh, but Jenny is usually so busy,” Cassandra said. Her smile, for the sake of the earl, was tight. Her eyes glittered and seemed to give Jenny a warning when they flashed her way.

Jenny felt a rush of panic. Somehow, Cassandra knew.

Chapter Three

Miles arrived at the Benedict house as scheduled, his sense of anticipation keen. He was to accompany the women to church today.

The irony of his being excited to attend Sunday services made him grimace as he rapped on the door. He had not attended them in a very long time, but Iris had determined it was advantageous to do so. He had agreed readily, and not because Iris had proven herself amazingly skilled—and after her first fluster, immensely enthusiastic—in getting his reputation established, but because Miss Jenny Alt was certain to be accompanying them.

She had declined every outing with him so far. But she could not do so today. It was church, and she would, as any well-bred girl does on Sunday morning, be accompanying her family.

He was looking forward to seeing her. It annoyed him sometimes, amused him at others, to remember her pert mannerisms. She had a mobile mouth that expressed her every mood and a tiny upturned nose that flared when she was irritated with him. He had not taken much note of her at first, but the more time he spent in her company, the more alluring she had appeared, until he had concluded her quite pretty in a way that intrigued him.

Cassandra was the beauty, and, yes, he was aware of her interest. She was not terribly subtle about it. It would be rather convenient, he thought, if he chose to make her his bride. She was certainly willing, and well-bred. The family connection was no problem.

But he could not seem to get Jenny out of his brain. It vexed him, because he was not in London to seek emotional entanglements. He’d gone that route, and it had not turned out well.

Cassandra rushed to him as soon as he was shown inside. “Oh, Miles, you are early! I suppose you are eager.”

She tapped him on the forearm. He smiled at her. She was a lovely little bit, with perhaps too much energy for him. He’d not yet reached a conclusion on how she would fare in the country. It was not suited to everyone. That had been Marianne’s downfall. She’d grown bored. Then she’d grown wild.

“Of course,” he said, with a small bow that delighted her. Then he looked for Jenny.

She was not here, and he felt his spirits plummet.