Deceived & Honoured - The Baron's Vexing Wife (Love's Second Chance #7)(5)

Understanding Townsend’s intention and before he had even formed a conscious thought, Derek suddenly found himself rounding a rather large group of ladies?most of whom gazed at Townsend longingly. Heading straight for the man he despised like no other, Derek dimly asked himself what he intended to accomplish when they suddenly collided, his drink soaking the man’s clothes.

Muttering a curse, Townsend stepped back, brushing a hand over the wet fabric, his eyes hard as he glared at Derek.

“I do apologise, my lord,” Derek mumbled, unable to keep the seething hatred from showing in his voice. “It would appear fortune does not smile on you tonight.”

For a moment, Townsend’s eyes narrowed in confusion as he tried to understand. “It is of little consequence,” he replied in a clipped voice that spoke of annoyance rather than hatred.

He does not know who I am, Derek thought, not surprised in the least, and yet, oddly tempted to throw the man’s deeds in his face in front of the whole world. However, it would do little good. On the contrary, he expected as the ton took care of their own, and he was only the lowly son of a farmer, his title not handed down through the generations.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Townsend muttered, jarring Derek out of his thoughts.

Before Derek could think of a way to stop him once more, Townsend headed toward the arched doorway.

Panic spread through Derek’s chest. What was he to do? Short of tackling the man to the ground, his mind could not conjure any kind of solution.

To Derek’s relief, fortune smiled on him as the group of ladies he had passed before rushed forward, their eager hands dabbing handkerchiefs to Townsend’s soaked front. Annoyed, the man tried to disentangle himself from them, however, to no avail.

A pleased grin spread over Derek’s face as he stepped back and then quickly turned. Measured strides carried him toward the back of the ballroom, and with a last glance at Townsend, he stepped through the doorway in pursuit of Lady Madeline.

He had to warn her.

After all, whatever her faults, he was certain she deserved better than a man like Townsend.





Chapter Two ? A Hope Dashed

After stopping at the ladies’ powder room to ensure that not a single curl had escaped her coiffure, Madeline stepped back into the dimly lit hallway. However, instead of turning left and returning to the crowded ballroom, she headed down the other side, slipping through an open door and into a small drawing room.

Would he come? She wondered as she stepped up to the tall window, gazing at the silvery moon casting a magical glow over the room as well as the gardens below. Had he understood her meaning? Or had Aunt Odelia frightened him off?

Madeline inhaled deeply, trying to steady her nerves, as she cursed her father’s sister for her meddlesome tendencies. That woman truly needed to find a charity or pastime to which she could devote her copious amounts of time she had on her hands.

Often, her aunt had argued in favour of or against one gentleman or another as she seemed to think that not Madeline but rather she knew best who would be her niece’s perfect match. However, Madeline had been steadfast in her endeavour, politely but firmly informing Aunt Odelia that she knew exactly what kind of man she was looking for.

And it had taken her a long time to find him.

But finally, she had been successful.

After all, Lord Townsend fulfilled all her expectations. Not only was he handsome and much sought after by the young?and not so young?ladies of the ton, but more importantly, he held the title of an earl, had inherited a tremendous fortune upon the death of his father and could look back on a long line of respectable ancestors, all of whom had been upstanding members of society.

Indeed, he was her perfect match.

He would give her the life she wanted.

The life she deserved.

After all, procuring his attention while sidestepping one potential scandal after another orchestrated to trap her into marriage was truly a most heroic feat.

As the only daughter of an equally well-respected earl and heiress to a large fortune, Madeline had been sought after by gentlemen ever since she could remember. In addition, she had inherited her late mother’s grace and dark beauty, which seemed to increase her appeal even more. Whenever she appeared in society, men would swarm to her side like moths to a flame. Certainly, they had their appeal as they almost tripped over one another to endear themselves to her. However, after her first season, she had soon realised the burden that came with their obsession.

Nothing was secret.

Nothing remained private.

And yet, no one saw her. Not truly.

But tonight, all that would change. Tonight, Lord Townsend would ask for her hand, and she would accept him, finally ending the chase. And soon, she would be a married woman, a countess.

Biting her lower lip, Madeline felt the corners of her mouth tug up. Would he kiss her? She wondered. For all her experience with a myriad of suitors?or maybe because of it?she had never even been kissed.

Such an action would have been much too dangerous as most men would have seen it as an acceptance of their proposal; therefore, Madeline had always taken great care to ensure that she had never ventured anywhere alone, always bringing along a chaperone.

After all, she would be the one to choose.

Not the other way around.

And now, she had chosen, eliminating the need for a chaperone.

Maybe tonight she would not only receive a marriage proposal, but also her first kiss.