Forsaking the Prize (The Wild Randalls 2)

“Don’t be absurd. I’m not afraid of you.”

A sudden smile crossed his face. “So happy to hear that. Does that mean hostilities are at an end?”

“As long as you keep a distance.”

His brow rose. “So, no more climbing through windows?”

“Absolutely not. My window will remain locked.”

A sly grin crossed his face. “And if your window should slide open one evening I shall imagine you wish to talk to me in private. That’s all it will take, B. Just open the window whenever you wish and I’ll be there.”

Good grief, would he ever stop the harassment. Tobias left her and joined the others while Blythe fought the blush heating her cheeks. Insufferable, conceited man. Did he honestly believe she’d invite him to join her in bed? She wasn’t that sort of woman. She wasn’t so desperate to regain the pleasures of the marriage bed that she’d share hers with a brash scoundrel like him.

When Blythe resumed her seat, Lord Archibald smiled at her warmly. A sudden wave of goose flesh rose over her skin and she shuddered.

“Are you all right, Lady Venables,” Lord Archibald asked, leaning closer as he did so.

Blythe forced a smile. “I’m perfectly well. It’s nothing but a draft.”

“Of course.” Lord Archibald smiled and sat back. “My cousin is forever chasing them down. According to my sisters, we boast the coziest parlor thanks to her efforts.”

Emma’s skin colored with a blush.

“I quite understand her feelings on the subject,” Blythe said. “Emma, dear, did you convince Lord Archibald to undertake the improvements to the drawing room you mentioned?”

Emma glanced at Lord Archibald, her blush increasing in color. “Not yet. He’s been much too busy with the estate to worry about such matters at the moment.”

Lord Archibald threw Emma a quelling glance, but then smiled at Blythe. “The estate takes up a good deal of my time.”

Really, some men were entirely without good sense. Emma’s vision for the room was breathtaking and if it could be done before the winter ball then Emma’s brilliance would be seen by all and commented on. “Come now, my lord. I would have thought that keeping the three women housed under your roof happy would have been paramount to your own harmony. Ladies like their creature comforts.”

Lord Archibald’s two younger sisters, Helen and Francesca, had little interest in the arrangement of a room until they were uncomfortable. They were nice girls, but Emma truly had the most sense of the three. Lord Archibald should have taken advantage of Emma’s counsel long before this.

He leaned forward in his chair. “Do you approve the alterations my cousin has suggested?”

Honestly, what would it take for the man to unbend and call Emma by her first name? At the rate their relationship was progressing, Emma would be an old maid before Lord Archibald did so. Blythe wanted her friend to be as happy as she had been in her marriage. Working out how to bring Lord Archibald up to scratch for Emma vexed her. Emma was the perfect wife for him. “Emma has always had excellent taste. She would never suggest an unnecessary alteration to your property. I should be proud to sit in the drawing room once her improvements have been undertaken.”

Lord Archibald sat back, a frown line between his brows. “Then I suppose the changes can go ahead so that your future time with us is everything you could want it to be.”

It was smoothly said, and although his agreement was a victory for Emma, a small trill of unease rippled through Blythe. Would she have to tell him whom to marry for that event to happen, too? Her friend had been trying to gain Lord Archibald’s attention for years. She’d fallen in love quickly for the blind idiot and had never said a harsh word against his stubbornness to make changes. Blythe would hate to think she had more influence over him than her friend. Emma’s lips trembled as they stared at each other. She was upset by this turn of events and Blythe had no idea what to do or say to make the situation better.

“Miss Trimble,” Tobias Randall said suddenly. “I understand from Lady Venables that you are organizing a ball.”

Emma faced Tobias. Her chest rose and fell as she took a deep breath. “Not a large ball, but an intimate party for Lord Archibald’s closest acquaintances. We hope that you will still be here to join us as part of the duchess’ party.”

Tobias’ gaze dipped quite shockingly to Emma’s chest and then rose slowly as a small smile played over his lips. “I am breathless with anticipation.”

“Oh, he will be there,” Mercy told Emma with a laugh. “I’ll even make certain he dances with every unattached lady present so your party is an unequalled success.”

Tobias glanced at Mercy sharply as if he hadn’t cared to dance so much, but then he turned back to Emma with an easy smile. “I would be most happy to dance with you at your ball. In the mean time, perhaps I might secure a set at Lady Dunwoody’s soiree if your card is not overfull.”

A darker blush swept Emma’s cheeks. “My card is not full and I would be honored, sir.”

Could Tobias Randall dance? It had never occurred to her to check. Blythe winced. Poor Emma. She may not feel very honored after three turns around the dance floor with her toes trampled and her ears burning. Could Tobias speak civilly, as a gentleman, for that length of time?

“Excellent. I shall look forward to our dance immensely.” His grin broadened slowly and Blythe clenched and unclenched her hands at the sight. Don’t flirt with my friend. Don’t ruin things between Emma and Lord Archibald.

When Emma’s skin had blushed to an alarming shade of red, Lord Archibald cleared his throat. “Well, we should be going, Your Grace. Miss Trimble.” He stood suddenly and thrust his hand out to his cousin rather impatiently. Emma appeared as startled by Lord Archibald’s tone as everyone else appeared to be, too, but she set her hand in his. She stood slowly, her blush growing she said goodbye. “Thank you for seeing us, Your Grace.”