My Mistletoe Beau by Anna Bennett

Author:Anna Bennett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Chapter Nine

Eva and Laurel had helped each other dress for dinner, since they hadn’t brought maids with them, and they’d each picked a favorite gown to wear. Laurel looked like a perfect English rose in a cheery pink satin, and Eva had chosen a deep red silk that made her feel sophisticated and just a bit wanton—which seemed appropriate, given her plans for the evening.

They put the last touches on their hair—a strawberry ribbon threaded through Laurel’s golden curls, and a string of tiny pearls woven in Eva’s fair tresses—before leaving their guest bedchamber and heading to the drawing room for a glass of sherry.

“Do you think you’ll be seated next to Lord Frostbough?” Laurel whispered on the way down the grand staircase.

“I don’t know.” Eva still hadn’t confided in her aunt. Each time she tried, she found that she couldn’t quite put her feelings for Jack into words. And she reasoned it was probably best not to pull her sweet, guileless friend into their madcap scheme anyway. “I might prefer it if I weren’t.”

“Truly?” Laurel asked. “Did something happen on your walk earlier? Have you had a falling-out?”

“Nothing so dramatic,” Eva said. “But I’m not certain we’re as well suited as I once thought.” She congratulated herself on achieving a tone that was somewhere between wistful and resigned.

“What a shame.” Laurel’s forehead creased. “But you are right to listen to your instincts. Give yourself some time. You’re bound to gain clarity over the next week.”

“I hope so,” Eva said sincerely. She paused outside the drawing room door and took a fortifying breath. “Ready?”

Laurel gave her an encouraging smile. “Ready.”

They walked in, and Eva was pleased to find that the party wasn’t so large after all. Lady Rufflebum and the duchess stood near the crackling fire, chatting animatedly to a pretty gray-haired woman with kind eyes. Jack stood on the opposite side of the room, his wavy, longish hair and dark beard stubble at odds with his tailored evening jacket and crisp white cravat—and yet the mere sight of him made her wish she’d brought her fan. He was speaking to a handsome fair-haired gentleman and a beautiful fiery-haired woman who seemed to share the same wide mouth and charming dimples.

Upon seeing Eva and Laurel, Jack hurried over, escorted them across the room, and poured them each a drink before introducing them to the unfamiliar man and woman. “Miss Tiding and Miss Bailey,” he said smoothly, “this is Lady Beckham and her brother—my friend Will—known in most circles as the Marquess of Goulding.”

Eva nearly choked on her sherry. “Lord Goulding?” she said dumbly.

Jack frowned slightly. “You’ve already met?”

“Not exactly.” The marquess shot her a winsome smile. “But I’ve heard quite a bit about you from your father, Miss Tiding. And from Jack, as well.”

Dear God. It was him—the marquess Papa wanted her to marry. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she managed. “My father has told me much about you as well. He speaks highly of you.”

“Isn’t that grand,” Jack said dryly.

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