The Reluctant Suitor (39 page)

“You’re looking as radiant as the very stars overhead, Adriana,” Riordan murmured, his dark eyes warmly devouring her face as he awaited her reaction to his familiar address.

“And you, Riordan, are as kind as always.”

The flash of white teeth against his sun-bronzed visage was no less than dazzling as he accepted the lady’

s response as an invitation to discontinue the formality that had heretofore existed between them. “If I’m always on my best behavior around you, Adriana, ‘tis merely that I’m hoping to convince your father that I’m a worthy prospect for a son-in-law. Lord Gyles said he had to consider other proposals before he could answer my petition for your hand. Should he respond in the affirmative, which is truly my heartfelt desire, I must warn you of my wayward side. I’m a disreputable rogue at heart.”

Adriana tossed her head in disbelief as she chuckled. “Aye, I saw how disreputable you were when you danced with Lady Berenice. So much so I’m wont to contradict you and call you a gallant gentleman.”

“She has a very pretty face.”

“She does indeed,” Adriana agreed, having long been of the belief that the only reason Berenice indulged herself with food was out of anxiety. Sadly enough, when she was around her widowed father, who was not only handsome but also fairly persnickety about everything being as close to the state of perfection as possible, she was tense most of the time, fretting that she’d never be able to live up to his expectations.

The elder seemed blind to all the exceptional qualities his daughter had; he saw her as flawed merely because she was plump and, for that reason, was wont to malign her. “If the right man came along, he could probably do wonders for her.”

Riordan slanted a dubious grin down upon Adriana. “Do you have anyone in particular in mind?”

She smiled, realizing the nobleman had read too much into her casual comment. “You would be the right man in any case, my lord. In spite of your wealth and incredible good looks, you’re as chivalrous as anyone I’ve ever known.”

Encouraged by her words, he urged with more fervor, “Then persuade your father to favor my request above all others posthaste and let me commence courting you with all sincerity.”

“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Riordan,” she replied and knew of a sudden that if she confided in him, her secret would be safe. “A contract committing me to another was signed years ago when I was but a child. Should that agreement be dissolved after a three-month courtship, then I shall certainly ask my father to consider your petition.”

“We could be happy together,” he cajoled.

Her shining eyes swept his handsome face. “That may well be true, Riordan, but I am honor-bound to the agreement my father signed.”

A mischievous gleam lit his dark eyes. “Was this agreement put down on parchment that can be easily torched . . . or was it set in stone?”

His humor evoked another smile. “Both, I’m afraid, at least until the gentleman makes up his mind.”

Riordan looked astounded. “You mean the man isn’t sure he wants you? Is he a raving lunatic?”

“I’m afraid he didn’t appreciate his father arranging the matter without consulting him.”

“Can he not see the precious gem that has been offered him?”

Greatly heartened by the man’s praise, Adriana smoothed his lapel. “You make me feel as if I were a queen, Riordan. No woman could do better than to marry you.”

“Then come away with me tonight, Adriana, and pledge me your troth in wedding vows. I swear to treat you like a queen for the whole of your life. Your father would forgive us once he realizes how much I adore you.”

Adriana feigned a musical chuckle, reluctant to take him seriously though she sensed he was. “I’m afraid I

’m bound by the contract my father signed, my lord. I cannot escape it that easily.”

The spark of hope that had momentarily lit his eyes dimmed forthwith as he heaved a sigh. “Three months, you say?”

“Aye, three months.”

His eyes caressed her face as if he sought to memorize it. “I shall pray fervently that you will be freed from all your obligations after that length of time, if not before. Until then, Adriana, be confident of my unwavering desire to have you for my wife.”

“You honor me, my lord.”

They halted as the music ended, and though Riordan asked for another dance, Adriana could see Roger pacing impatiently about beyond several guests.

“I’d better not. I have a matter to discuss with Mr. Elston. I’m afraid he isn’t quite as understanding as

you have been about my need to honor commitments.”

“I’ll stay with you.”

As much as Adriana wished she could accept Riordan’s comforting presence, she laid a gentle hand upon his arm and shook her head. “ ‘Twould only rile Mr. Elston to have you near, Riordan. If you would, go dance with Berenice again. Perhaps her father would treat her more kindly if he thought she had gained the attention of a gentleman like yourself.”

She offered him a grateful smile, wondering if Colton would ever be as gallant. Mentally she heaved a dubious sigh and, as Riordan departed, faced the apprentice who rapidly approached with a harsh, angry scowl. She accepted his invitation to dance, and they progressed like wooden sticks around the dance floor until Riordan swept past with the fair-haired Berenice in his arms, evoking a caustic jeer from Roger. “Obviously that dandified jackanapes knows a rich dowry has been laid upon the broad bovine and is merely seeking to pad his purse.”

Adriana’s temper ignited. “Don’t ever speak so disparagingly about my friends again in my presence, Roger. I won’t tolerate it! And if you don’t mind being the recipient of my criticism, I’d say you have much to surmount before you equal the likes of such an honorable gentleman as Lord Harcourt. As for Lady Berenice’s dowry, ‘tis as vast as you say, but in all likelihood, his lordship’s fortune would make her father’s seem mediocre! If you’re not aware of it, Lord Harcourt will become a duke one day, and a very fine one, I might add.”

Much humbled by her ire, Roger grudgingly yielded an apology. “I’m sorry, my lady. At times, I fear my jealousy rules my head.”

Adriana was not so easily placated. “Then I suggest you keep a tight rein on your envy lest I come to regret the day we ever met.”

When the music finally ended, Adriana’s toes once again felt as if they’d been caught in some cruel device of torture. Gritting her teeth in a stiff smile, she had cause to wonder if her attempt resembled a grimace as several acquaintances passed, for they looked at her rather oddly. Barely able to walk for the pain, she tottered gingerly to a settee at the far end of the ballroom near the place where her family stood.

After lowering herself rather cautiously to the velvet cushions, she released a sigh of relief and began to work off her slippers beneath the hem of her gown. Her toes had taken the brunt of abuse; even wiggling them seemed to increase the pain. She decided right then and there that Roger would have to be told forthwith that their friendship could not continue. Even if she weren’t entering into a courtship with Colton Wyndham, she’d never be able to bear dancing with the apprentice again.

“Perhaps I should go fetch refreshments for you since dancing seems beyond my realm of expertise,”

Roger suggested.

“I believe I could use a glass of wine right now,” Adriana conceded, deciding a small amount would likely relax her and get her through the arduous announcement she had to make. If it proved strong enough to dull her agony, then that, too, would be acceptable.

“I shan’t be long, my lady.”

“Please, take your time,” she urged with all sincerity. She definitely needed time to collect her wits for the ordeal ahead.

Mathilda Maxim approached, and with an exaggerated sigh of her own, plopped herself down on the bench beside her niece. “I don’t know about you, child, but my feet have been trod upon more times this

evening than there were Frenchmen at Waterloo. I’m beginning to think the dance instructor hereabouts needs to be taken out and shot to relieve us all from future misery.”

Giggling at the woman’s dry wit, Adriana nodded in full agreement. “I know exactly what you mean, Aunt Tilly. Believe me, if I were able to hide a large bowl of medicinal water beneath my skirts, I’d be tempted to soak my feet, stockings and all.”

Tilly winced as she doffed her own shoes beneath the covering of her hem. “I think I’ve been widowed too long.”

Adriana’s curiosity was sharply tweaked, for it was rare indeed to hear such comments from the feisty woman. “Why is that, Aunt Tilly?”

The older woman responded with a mischievous grin. “I never knew there were so many gorgeous older gentlemen in the world until I came here tonight. Tell me that I’m not dreaming.”

Laughing in delight, Adriana nodded. This sounded more like the Aunt Tilly she had always known.

Looping an arm through the woman’s, she hugged it affectionately. “Oh, I’m in full agreement. I’d be as befuddled as an ol’ spinster if I had to make a choice between any of them. Still, I do think Lord Alistair is a cut or two above the rest. He certainly comes from good stock.”

“He
is
quite handsome, isn’t he?”

“Oh, indeed,” Adriana agreed with an amused chuckle, admiring her aunt’s effervescent spirit.

As if making up her mind, Aunt Tilly thrust her slender feet into her shoes and then rose. Patting her niece

’s shoulder, she announced, “I’m going to make myself available for a dance somewhere within close proximity of the area where I last saw Lord Alistair. If I see any nice young gentlemen while I’m looking around, I’ll direct them over here. I’ve seen several who’d put my own sons to shame.”

“If it’s all the same to you, Aunt Tilly, I think I’ll just sit here and rest my feet for a few moments more before I try dancing again.”

“Nonsense, child. You’re much younger than I and far too beautiful to be sitting here contemplating your squashed toes. I believe I saw Lord Alistair’s nephew without a partner not too long ago. I’ll see what I can do for you in that area.”

“Please, not just yet, Aunt Tilly,” Adriana pleaded desperately, afraid Colton would think she had put her aunt up to asking him to dance with her. “My feet really do hurt and are in dire need of a rest.”

“All right, child, but only for the time being. If I don’t see you dancing fairly soon, I’ll find some nice handsome gentleman to send over.”

Relieved that her aunt had acquiesced to her pleas, Adriana released her breath in a long, grateful sigh.

Some moments later, she had to smile at Tilly’s engaging ways as she saw the woman being swept about the ballroom by Alistair, for the man seemed no less than delighted to be with the attractive woman.

Eleven

I
t seemed for a time that every bachelor in the room sought out Adriana to ask her for a dance. She graciously complied to as many as she could, knowing it would save her toes from further injury. Some moments later, she found Roger pushing through the throng of hopefuls with a glass of wine. He seemed intent on discouraging her admirers as he pressed it into her hand. Adriana promptly realized she either had to accept it from his grasp or have the wine sloshed over her gown. It nettled her that he could be so persistent, but Roger’s ploy worked to his advantage, for the hopefuls finally went off to find other partners.

Trying to curb her irritation, Adriana settled upon a nearby bench and sipped from the crystal goblet as she once again worked off her slippers beneath her hem. Roger plied her with a string of inquiries, to which she responded with silence, a noncommittal shrug, a nod or a shake of her head, preferring not to answer any of them for the moment. He seemed mainly curious about the ones who had invited her to dance and if she were interested in any of them. She hardly considered that any of his business since he wasn’t really a friend or, for that matter, even someone she enjoyed having around. He had simply proven unrelenting in his quest to be with her, which hardly seemed a viable reason for her to tolerate him any longer. In fact, she didn’t even think she really liked the man. Indeed, it seemed an appropriate time to tell him that he could no longer call upon her.

A dozen or so close acquaintances her own age and gender descended upon her before she could do so, crowding around her with vivacious chatter, leaving Roger feeling out of sorts with the lot of them as questions about this gentleman or that were eagerly presented, making it obvious the young ladies’

interest centered mainly on titled aristocrats. Finally, unable to bear being the only male in the midst of so many fluttering females, Roger offered a terse excuse and departed.

Nearly a score of hawkish bachelors swooped down on the gathering to pluck this chick or that one from the brood. Adriana smilingly declined several, not wishing to embarrass herself by revealing the fact that she had lost one of her slippers and, for some moments now, hadn’t been able to find it.

Sighing forlornly as everyone deserted her, she was fraught by fear that she’d soon be at the mercy of Roger again. This time, for sure, she would tell him that he’d no longer be welcomed at Wakefield Manor after the evening was over. Yet she hardly wanted to face
that
prospect without her slippers on. At least, while wearing them, she’d be able to walk away if the apprentice became too ornery.