The Noble Spy (London Season Matchmaker 2)

Turning his head, Edward fixed his gaze

elsewhere and forced his mind back to his current task. He meant to find the young lady from that evening some days ago. That was all he need do. He did not need to consider Lord Huckleby nor his own dislike for the ton. All he needed to do was find her.

However, for whatever reason, Edward found himself almost desperate to glance back in that particular direction. He had no reason to do so, particularly when he disliked the fellow so, but perhaps it came from an urge to see what young ladies the man had caught this time, or perhaps a jealousy that Lord Huckleby could manage to garner so much attention without so much as batting an eye. Regardless, Edward turned his head to satisfy his own curiosity, only to see the redhaired young lady’s profile come into view.

Something jolted within him. Something that told him that this young lady was the one he was seeking.

Turn your head a little more, he whispered inwardly, urging her silently to turn around so that he might see her face. Show me whether or not I have found the answer to my searching.

He saw the other young lady say something to the redheaded one and, after a moment, she turned to face him.

Edward’s heart forgot how to beat. He stood there, frozen in place, staring into the face of one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever laid eyes on. It was, of course, the young lady he had seen that night, the young lady he had been forced to lay down on the doorstep and hurry away from, but he had not remembered her to be so overwhelmingly lovely. Her oval face was alive with interest, her eyes fixed on his – and Edward found himself longing to know what color her eyes were. Her lips were slightly parted, as though she was surprised by his gaze, and a faint bloom of color was rising in her cheeks.

He could barely breathe at the sight of her.

At least you know what you must do now, he told himself. You must discover her name, and no doubt, a good many gentlemen will wish to become acquainted with a beauty such as she.

The urge to go to her and to introduce himself – as improper as it was – overtook him, and it took some considerable effort for Edward to throw it aside. He could not do such a thing, he knew, and from her appearance, it did not seem as though she remembered him. That was good, he supposed, and whilst he knew that he should make every effort to remain distant from her, he found that his heart wished for quite the opposite.

A warning sounded in his mind as she turned a little more towards him. Knowing that he could not linger, Edward allowed himself one moment more before dropping his hands to his sides, a smile spreading across his face as he took her in. And then, without warning, he turned away and walked through the crowd, losing her from his sight.

Wandering through the crowd, Edward allowed himself to consider the beautiful redhaired young lady once more. She was quite extraordinarily beautiful and, given that he had witnessed her attempting to fight off the murderer that night, he knew that she had a good deal of strength and mettle within her.

“Quite the young lady,” he murmured to himself, still a little taken aback with the strength of his own reaction upon seeing her. The way his heart had quickened, the way his spirits had flung themselves to the stars was more than a little astonishing, since he had never experienced such a thing before.

“I am indeed a lucky fellow this evening.”

Edward frowned as the voice of Lord Huckleby came near to him as he continued to pick his way across the ballroom.

“You are not lucky, old boy; you are handsome, titled, and wealthy,” said one of Lord Huckleby’s companions. “Just whose attention have you captured this time?”

Edward slowed his steps and turned his head, seeing Lord Huckleby standing just to Edward’s left. He did not see Edward.

“I am to dance with Miss Titania Wells this evening,” he said, with a broad grin. “That delightful young lady caught my eye the moment I set foot in this place, and it has been my intention to seek her out for a dance this evening – and, you shall be glad to know that I have succeeded!”

His friend let out a bark of laughter. “As though such a thing could ever be in question!” he said, shaking his head. “She is quite delightful, I will concur with you there. See how the gentlemen of the ton seek her out?”

Lord Huckleby nodded, his smile fading somewhat. “The prettiest daughter of the late Marquess of Whitehaven is no small prize, I confess it,” he murmured, sending a flurry of anger down Edward’s spine – although quite why he felt that way, he did not know. “But I am certain that I have secured her interest.”

Edward stepped away, not needing to hear anything more. He had discovered the name of the young lady—and that was all he needed for now. He did not need to wonder why he felt so irate over Lord Huckleby’s words, nor did he need to question the gentleman’s motives. It was not as though he himself were seeking a bride! He had more than enough to keep him occupied without feeling the urge to secure a wife for himself. Yes, he was drawn to Miss Wells, and yes, she was markedly beautiful, but that was as far as he would allow his fascination to go. He could not let her continue to dog at his mind, not when he had Ravel to consider.

“Miss Wells,” he murmured to himself, the name rolling around his mouth for a moment. “Miss Titania Wells.” A sense of satisfaction crept over him as he made his way to the door. There was no need to linger here, not any longer. He had discovered the name of his lady—and, for the time being, that was all he needed to do. Finally, he could return home and take himself away from the society that he disliked so very much. This evening’s endeavors were over.

Chapter Four

“I hardly think you have anything to complain about, Titania.”

Titania stiffened. “I am not complaining, Dinah.”

Her cousin sniffed and looked away. “It sounds as though you are, Titania, and does the Bible not clearly tell us that we are meant to be grateful for all that we have been given?”

Closing her eyes for a moment, Titania drew in a steadying breath, so that she would not send a harsh jibe back to her cousin. She knew full well that Dinah was extremely pious and believed that Titania was wrong in almost everything that she did. This included the fact that Titania had attempted to – and had been very successful in – garnering the attention of as many gentlemen as she could earlier that evening.

“As I have said, Dinah,” Titania said, controlling herself with an effort. “I am not complaining about last evening. I am simply stating that I found it most unusual that one gentleman in particular, to whom I am not acquainted, simply looked at me, smiled, and then walked away. That is all.”

Merry, who was sitting idly in a chair with one leg crossed over the other, her foot bouncing in a most unladylike manner, let out a small snort of disbelief. “I hardly think that you need to consider such a thing as that, Titania,” she said, with a slight sigh. “After all, you were practically a diamond of the first water this evening! Almost every gentleman present came to seek you out.”

Titania rolled her eyes at this, knowing that Merry was exaggerating, and made no attempt to hide her irritation. “You are teasing me, but I will not pretend that I did not like the attention I received, Merry. I am quite certain that I saw you watching a few gentlemen with interest also, even though you claim that you have no desire to engage yourself in things such as dancing and conversing with titled gentlemen.” She arched one eyebrow and saw Merry flush. “Why do you not avail yourself to them? Why not show that you are, in fact, quite interesting and willing to be courted? I am certain that you would not then return home in such an unsuccessful manner.”