The Unlikely Lady (Playful Brides #3)(17)

Garrett snorted this time.

“‘Look around you,’ Jane replied, ‘see anything better to do? I assure you my dance card is entirely blank and this book is far more fascinating than watching all the gentlemen vie for Lady Cassandra Monroe’s attention,’” Claringdon continued.

“That sounds like Jane Lowndes,” Owen Monroe said with a grin, one that made Garrett feel a twinge of annoyance.

Claringdon kept talking. “‘Cassandra is a dear,’ Lucy said to Jane. ‘I’m certain she is,’ Jane said to Lucy, ‘and I am not. Which is why gentlemen are not lined up to dance with me. Now, if you intend to stand there, would you mind moving a bit to the right? You’ll block the view of my mother and she detests it when she finds me reading a book at a ball.’”

“Then what happened?” Swifdon asked, his gray eyes lit with amusement.

“Then Lucy burst into laughter, moved to the right to accommodate Jane, and asked her if she had another book in her reticule that Lucy could borrow. They’ve been inseparable ever since.”

All of the men laughed and Garrett shook his head. That story did sound exactly like Jane and Lucy. A wonder he’d never heard it before. He’d come to Lucy’s come-out later in the evening and danced with her. Lucy had told him he was the only gentleman to do so. Garrett had thought she’d been exaggerating. Apparently, she had not. For all her beauty, Lucy had already garnered a reputation for ripping men to shreds with her tongue. The men of the ton had been duly scared off, until Claringdon arrived and gave as good as he got from her.

“You know, Jane Lowndes is considered a bluestocking by some, but I think she’s actually quite an attractive young lady,” Monroe said.

Garrett’s eyes narrowed on the future earl.

“That’s rich coming from you, Monroe. I don’t think there’s a lady alive whom you couldn’t charm or find attractive in some way,” Swifdon replied.

Monroe had a rakish grin on his face, a bit too leering for Garrett’s taste. “I’m merely saying she’s easy on the eyes. I’d like to see her with those spectacles off and a bit of—”

“My home isn’t far from here.” Garrett cleared his throat loudly. “Shall we ride over and I’ll show you the property?”

Monroe shrugged, but the wolfish grin remained on his face.

“In addition to your home nearby, one day you will call Upbridge Hall home, Upton,” Claringdon pointed out.

“Yes.” Garrett studied his leather gloves where they gripped the reins. It was inevitable. He would be the Earl of Upbridge one day, but damn how he wished his cousin Ralph had lived. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be the earl. He didn’t want to be the earl at his cousin’s expense, not to mention the fact that his uncle had detested him his entire life as a result.

“Lucy’s brother died of fever when he was nine,” Monroe added for Swifdon’s sake.

“Yes, Cassie told me,” Swifdon replied. “Damn shame. But I know you’ll do the Upbridge name proud, Upton.”

Garrett’s grip tightened. “My thanks, Swifdon. I hope I’ll be able to help you in Parliament one day. But as my uncle is in good health as far as I know, it won’t be in time to assist with the veterans’ bill.”

“Ah, yes. Derek mentioned that to me earlier this morning. I quite like the idea of expanding it.”

Monroe led the way toward Upton’s property. The other men followed in line.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Garrett replied.

“Does your interest in the bill have anything to do with Isabella Langford?” Claringdon asked.

Damn that Claringdon, nothing escaped his notice.

“Her husband died. I was there…” Garrett murmured.

“I remember,” Swifdon said quietly.

Garrett quickly shook his head. “Yes, well, that reminds me. Cassandra told me last night that Isabella Langford is coming to the house party.”

“Is she?” Claringdon’s voice held a note of surprise.

“Apparently she informed Cassandra that she and I are acquainted,” Garrett continued.

“Getting some unwanted attention from the widow?” Monroe said with another leering grin that Garrett didn’t appreciate.

“Yes, actually,” Garrett replied. “Her attention is unwanted.”

“If I remember her correctly, Mrs. Langford is a great beauty. Just say the word,” Monroe replied, still leering. I’m only too happy to distract her for you if you like.”

Garrett straightened his shoulders. Monroe’s rakishness was usually either an annoyance or an amusement, but today it might actually prove useful. “Thank you, Monroe. I’d like that.”





CHAPTER ELEVEN

Garrett took a deep breath before placing his hand on the handle, opening the door, and strolling into the drawing room that evening before dinner. He’d done an admirable job of remaining with the gentlemen all day in an effort to avoid encountering Isabella Langford. When they’d returned to the manor for tea in the afternoon, Garrett had declined. But dinner was unavoidable. He must face Isabella eventually. He wasn’t usually uncomfortable around women, quite the opposite, actually. But being around Isabella brought back the memories of Harold—his mistake, his death. Guilt gnawed at Garrett especially viciously when Isabella was near.