Hardly a Husband (Free Fellows League 3)

"Are you going to accept his challenge?" Sarah asked. "Are you going to meet him at the dueling oak at Wimbledon Downs at dawn?"

"Unless he withdraws his challenge." He nodded. "And I did everything I could to give that dandified fool a dignified way out. I sincerely hope he takes it because I would like to be in bed by dawn."

The music began and Jarrod placed his hand on Sarah's waist, took her other hand in his, and stepped into the measure of the dance.

"I didn't plan to keep you at the party quite that late, Jays."

Jarrod laughed. "Plans do have a way of changing. Consider mine. I've thought about you all evening," he whispered, leaning close.

She blushed. "Why, thank you, Lord Shepherdston, I've thought about you all evening, too."

The electricity between them was palpable.

"I was afraid my behavior earlier this evening had frightened you away."

"Were you?" Sarah asked. "Or were you simply hoping that was the case? Because you no doubt know that your behavior earlier this evening has whetted my appetite for more."

Her admission surprised him. "Has it?"

"You know it has." She met his gaze. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"You've been quite busy tonight. I saw you dancing with Gillian. Has this evening whetted your appetite for me?"

"You know it has," he said huskily.

"Then take me home with you," Sarah suggested.

"I can't," he said. "That's where the change of plans comes in. You see, I had planned to take you and your aunt home at the conclusion of tonight's entertainment. But I've a meeting that requires my urgent attention, so I've asked Lord Rob to do it."

"And I was hoping that you… " She looked down at their feet.

"That I…" he encouraged softly.

"Might continue my lessons when you took me home."

"Oh?" He arched an eyebrow in the gesture that Sarah loved. "And what did you intend that we do with Aunt Etta while we were at lessons?"

"I had hoped that you would ask Lord Rob to see her home in his vehicle and that we could follow in yours."

"You've given this a great deal of thought, haven't you?"

"What else have I had to think about?" she asked. "I've been sitting here on the sidelines all evening watching you dance with other women."

Jarrod frowned. "I danced with Gillian McElreath so that Colin and Griffin could talk business in private." It wasn't a lie. He had done that. But he'd also danced with Gillian so that she could brief him on the business he needed to know.

"You danced with Gillian so she wouldn't overhear what Lord Grantham and His Grace were discussing."

"Sarah! You wound me with your accusations," he teased.

"I know you, Jarrod," she said. "When we were growing up you and your friends were always whispering and keeping secrets amongst yourselves."

He didn't recall Sarah ever being around when his friends were visiting him at Shepherdston Hall. "How do you know what we did?" he asked. "You were never around when Grantham and Abernathy visited me at Shepherdston Hall." Because he hadn't allowed her to tag along when his male friends were around.

"You didn't invite me to keep you company when they were around, so I spied on you every chance I got."

Her confession stunned him. "You spied on us?"