Treacherous Temptations(16)

“Homesick implies that one has a home,” he remarked dryly.

“But you just said—”

“This?” He gestured to the house. “In truth I have passed very little time here. I was at school by age seven and spent most holidays with friends or at the family seat in Kent. Then my travels commenced almost immediately upon my coming of age.”

“Was it your grand tour?” she asked, now trying for an air of sophistication. “I understand most noblemen undertake such travels to complete their education.”

He emitted a humorless laugh. “My education was most extensive, as it has lasted seven years.”

“Seven years abroad?” Mary was taken aback. “You have been gone so very long?”

“Yes.” He didn’t elaborate, yet his expression suggested much more than his terse reply. It seemed that each time he spoke there was always a hint of much more he didn’t say.

“I suppose that is the benefit of leaving one’s home to gain experience of the world. I have left mine yet cannot ever imagine becoming a part of this one.” She made a sweeping gesture to encompass her opulent surroundings.

“I’m not sure I comprehend your meaning.”

“I fear it’s far too tedious to explain,” Mary echoed his earlier reply with an impish grin.

“Touché!” Lord Hadley chuckled.

“What I meant is London and the sophisticated world,” she said. “It’s not where I belong. Nor do I really wish to, truth be told. I think I am much akin to my poor primroses here.” She cast her gaze to the scattered blooms.

“I understand your sentiments better than you might think,” he replied.

“How could you when you were born to all this?”

He laughed, a harsh sound, all sign of humor leaving his eyes. “Don’t let any of it fool you, my dear, for even the most tarnished silver can acquire a fine and gleaming polish. And believe me, there is far more tarnish here than an innocent and unschooled eye such as yours can discern.”

“Why would you speak so of yourself?” Mary protested.

He reached for a red-gold curl that had escaped her lace cap and coiled it around his finger. “I would forewarn you, Miss Edwardes that I am a man, and men in general are not to be trusted…” He held her gaze as he slowly released the ringlet, allowing his fingers to skim her cheek. “…especially not by pretty young virgins.”

Pretty? Her heart lurched. He thought her pretty? Yet in the same breath that he complimented her, it seemed he warned her away. Confused and embarrassed, Mary knelt to retrieve both her scattered flowers and wits. “Will you be staying in England now?”

He joined her in collecting the blooms. “I am undecided. There are certain conditions…that must be met before I can do so. But I do intend to remain at Blanchard House for the nonce.”

The declaration filled Mary with elation. “How wonderful—for the countess, I mean. It is good for Lady Blanchard that you are here. She has shown me the greatest kindness and I have come to regard her almost as a mother.”

“A mother?” His mouth twisted as if she had said something amusing. “You’ve no idea how…transported…she would be to hear that.”

Mary noted again the sardonic lift of his brow. “Pray don’t doubt my sincerity. If you are indeed returned, I would like very much for us to consider one another in the same regard.”

Lord Hadley again looked taken aback. “As relations?”

Mary bit her lower lip, wondering now if she had offended him. Perhaps he thought the request too familiar or impertinent. “If you don’t think it a presumption on my part.”

“Not at all, my dear. But I would have one small request. If you wish us to consider one another as relations, pray let it be only as distant cousins.” He raised a blossom to his nose and inhaled its fragrance.

“Why is that?” she asked. She froze as he brushed the flower along her jaw and then traced the whisper-soft petals along the contour of her mouth. She closed her eyes imagining it was his beautiful mouth brushing over hers. The thought wrought a suffusion of heat from the base of her neck to the roots of her coppery hair.

She felt him move closer, her skin prickling as he murmured low in her ear, “Because I find I have no desire at all to be regarded as your brother.”

He could never mean…Mary opened her eyes to find herself helplessly at sea, drowning in fathomless blue depths. “I-I’ve never wanted a brother,” she stammered.

He gifted her with a slow and meaningful smile. “How very fortunate…for me.”

Her stomach fluttered. Their eyes met and locked. He was so very near, inches away really. His mouth…Her heart surged against her chest. If he only just…She closed her eyes on the wish…

“Ah! There you both are!” Lady Blanchard came upon them, sending Mary scrambling to her feet.

“Lord Hadley, it seems you have saved me the trouble of introducing you to my young companion.” The countess eyed Mary with a peculiar look that made her feel strangely guilty.

“Yes, my lady,” he answered, completely unruffled. “After twice coming upon one another by happenstance, Miss Edwardes and I are indeed acquainted.”

“How…charming. So sorry to intrude on your little tête-à-tête, but I thought you would wish to know that your valet and baggage have arrived.”