Cupid's Choice: She's a shy beauty in distress. He's a chivalric gentleman. (17 page)

Lord Holybrooke turned to Sir Frederick. With a meaningful look, he said, “I shall join you with all speed, sir.”

Sir Frederick nodded. “I shall look for you, my lord.”

Guin did not know precisely what Sir Frederick told Lord Holybrooke later that night. Whatever it was, her brother assured her that he had no immediate intention of calling out Lord Holloway. Guin was giddy with relief. “Thank God, Percy! I was so frightened on your behalf. Lord Holloway said he would kill you.”

“Frightened for me! When it is you that—” Lord Holybrooke bit back his exclamation and in a tightly controlled voice said, “Guin, I have informed my uncle of Lord Holloway’s dastardly conduct. Though he was at one with me in wishing to call Lord Holloway instantly to book, he agrees that we do not wish to be plunged into a scandal which would inevitably involve your fair name. Sir Frederick assures me that there is a better way to deal with his lordship.”

“What way is that, Percy?” asked Guin curiously.

Lord Holybrooke’s eyes were hard. “Never you mind. You are simply to put this ugly business out of your head. As for Mama’s partiality toward Lord Holloway,
that
will shortly be a thing of the past, I assure you!”

Guin could not get another word out of him, and she quickly abandoned the attempt, recognizing that her brother was doing his best to protect her. She was inordinately glad that both Lord Holybrooke and Colonel Caldar knew about the horrible incident with Lord Holloway. She was no longer afraid to meet Lord Holloway, at least in company, and she was reassured that if his lordship ever attempted to be private with her again that she could rely upon Lord Holybrooke and Colonel Caldar to deliver her.

As for Sir Frederick, Guin told herself that she was truly fortunate. He had proven over and over what a steadfast friend he was to her. It was really too bad, she reflected on a sigh, that he did not feel the same toward her as she did toward him. At least he thought enough of her to take her driving often. The outings had become one of her chief pleasures.

Guin was waiting in the front parlor for Sir Frederick to arrive for one of their pleasant outings. A few minutes before, Mrs. Holland had been sitting with her, flipping through a ladies’ magazine discontentedly, and roundly decrying the necessity of chaperonage.

Guin had the happy thought of reminding her mother of a delivery from Mrs. Holland’s modiste. “I don’t wish to keep you here, Mama, when I know you would rather go upstairs to try on your new gown.”

Mrs. Holland had brightened. “Indeed! Perhaps it would not be so very improper of me to leave you. After all, it is only Sir Frederick coming to take you driving! Pray say all that is proper for me, Guin.”

“I shall do so, Mama,” said Guin. Her mother exited, and she went over to the mirror, humming a little. The door opened and Lord Holloway was announced. Guin turned quickly from inspecting herself in the gilt mirror. “Oh!”

Advancing into the room, Lord Holloway saw at a glance that she was alone. He slowly looked her up and down. A smile touched his handsome face. “Vastly becoming, Miss Holland,” he drawled.

Guin suddenly felt that her elegant carriage dress was too close cut to her figure. Her heart began to pound as she met Lord Holloway’s knowing gaze. She took a steadying breath, telling herself that nothing could happen here in her own home. “You startled me, my lord. I shall ring to have a message sent up to my mother, for I am certain that she will be happy to see you.” She quickly moved to the bell rope and took hold of it.

Lord Holloway was standing near enough to the bell rope that he was able to lay a restraining hand over hers. She snatched her hand away from his touch, taking a step backward. Lord Holloway was amused. “And you, dear Miss Holland? Are you not happy to see me?”

Guin shook her head. She looked up at the gentleman who was smiling at her so arrogantly. A little spurt of anger emboldened her. Taking her courage in her hands, she declared, “I am not nor ever shall be, Lord Holloway.”

“What a pity! I had thought we had come to a good understanding. Once I apologize to Mrs. Holland for my ... precipitate exit, I will be back in her good graces. And then, Miss Holland, we will pursue our acquaintance,” said Lord Holloway, his lips widening in a smile.

Guin retreated strategically behind a chair, and her fingers tightened on its gilded edge. “Do not come near me.”

Lord Holloway negligently waved his scented handkerchief. “It is an inopportune time, I fear. There is too much chance of interruption from a servant or—”

The door opened again, this time for Sir Frederick to enter. He stopped abruptly when his gaze fell on Lord Holloway. His eyes traveled to Guin’s tense face. Without hurry he advanced farther into the room, leaving the door open wide behind him. “Lord Holloway, this is a surprise.”

Lord Holloway had stiffened upon Sir Frederick’s appearance. His habitual smile vanished. “Sir Frederick. You seem to have acquired the habit of becoming annoyingly
de trop
.”

“Have I? How extraordinary. I had quite thought the boot was on the other foot.” Sir Frederick flicked imaginary dust from his coat sleeve. He had his whip in his other hand, and now he tapped it gently against one shining boot.

Lord Holloway’s eyes dropped to that suggestive movement. When he raised his eyes again, he said, breathing a little quickly, “I understand you, of course.”

“I thought you would,” said Sir Frederick quietly, his gaze and his voice very even.

Lord Holloway turned toward Guin. “There will be another time, Miss Holland.”

“No, my lord, there will not,” said Guin swiftly.

Lord Holloway whipped around on his heel and strode out of the front parlor.

Sir Frederick reached for the door and slammed it shut. Flinging aside his whip, he bounded across the room to catch Guin’s hands in his. His eyes held concern. “My dear, you are all right?”

Guin nodded, pretty color rising in her face. “Yes, I was never more glad than when you walked in! He is an awful, awful man.”

Sir Frederick impulsively folded her into his arms. “My dear girl,” he murmured. She raised her face, a look of surprise in her eyes. She looked like a startled kitten, he thought. Sir Frederick laughed and bent his head to kiss her.

He meant it as nothing more than a fleeting touch. But she made a sound in her throat and melted against him. Her soft responsive lips pressed warmly against his. Sir Frederick’s senses swam. His arms tightened about her.

Abruptly he realized what he was doing, and sprang back. He stared at her, appalled. “Miss Holland! I—I don’t know what to say. I beg your pardon.”

“Oh, pray don’t! I didn’t mind it in the least,” exclaimed Guin, her deep blue eyes shining.

Sir Frederick shook his head. He was stunned alike by his actions and the feelings that had been roused inside him. “You don’t understand. I have taken the worst advantage of you.”

“Didn’t you wish to kiss me?” asked Guin falteringly.

Sir Frederick hated the dejection he could see forming in her eyes and how it caused a perceptible wilting in her demeanor. “My dear girl! I should think that was obvious,” he said quickly. “But that doesn’t make it right! Why, I have behaved no better than Lord Holloway toward you! Worse, for I have taken advantage of our friendship.”

Not looking at him, Guin began tracing a random pattern with her finger on the back of the chair. “Sir Frederick, I know that I am wholly ignorant about such things. But I assure you that you have not behaved badly toward me at all.” She peeped up at him from under her lashes. She caught her underlip between her white teeth in an anxious moue.

Sir Frederick drew in his breath. He had never seen her appear more bewitching. It struck him blindingly that he had never really seen her at all. She had been a girl to be pitied, to be helped and guided. Now she had become someone precious to his existence. He felt protective, tender, passionate, all at once. Dazedly, he wondered where his head had been while his heart had been lost.

The door opened again. Colonel Caldar came in with a quick step. He was smiling. “Sir Frederick! I saw your phaeton outside. Have you come to take Guin driving?”

“Yes, I had meant to do so,” said Sir Frederick. He bent down to retrieve his whip from the carpet.

Colonel Caldar watched with gathering surprise. “What has been going on here?”

“Lord Holloway was here, Uncle. He left when Sir Frederick came in,” said Guin, feeling that some explanation needed to be made since Sir Frederick stood unaccountably silent.

Colonel Caldar’s face darkened. “That dastard! He dared to show his face here? I suppose your mother had everything to do with it! Did she leave you alone with him, Guin? Did she? I shall have something to say to her, believe me!”

“No, no, Uncle, you mistake! Mama went upstairs before Lord Holloway arrived. She did not know anyone but Sir Frederick was coming,” said Guin quickly. “I suppose the servants did not realize that Mama had left me and so brought Lord Holloway up.”

Colonel Caldar let out a sigh. He nodded to Sir Frederick. “Then we owe another debt of gratitude to you, Sir Frederick. I am glad you were close by. I don’t like to think of that fellow pressing his unwelcome attentions on my niece.”

Unaccountably, Sir Frederick flushed. “You owe me nothing, sir.” He turned toward Guin. “Miss Holland, I hope that you will forgive me. I have recalled a rather urgent errand which I was commissioned to do by the Foreign Office. I trust that you will hold me excused from our drive today.”

“Of—of course, Sir Frederick,” said Guin, taken aback. She looked up into his face as he raised her hand to his lips. “Shall I see you again?”

He met her gaze. The shadow of a smile touched his mouth. “I suspect you will not be easily rid of me, Miss Holland.”

“I am glad,” said Guin, relieved by the rueful twinkle in his brown eyes. For an awful instant, she had feared that he meant to cut short their friendship, all because of a single kiss. It would have been a silly thing for him to have done, which she would have told him if her uncle had not been standing in the room. Instead, she smiled at him and watched him leave after saying good-bye to her uncle.

Once Sir Frederick was gone, Colonel Caldar turned with an anxious expression to his niece. He said gruffly, “You mustn’t take it to heart, Guin. I am certain Sir Frederick would not have canceled if it had not been extremely important.”

“Oh, I am not in the least upset, sir,” said Guin, a small smile playing about her mouth. She hugged to herself the knowledge of Sir Frederick’s kiss. Perhaps the gentleman had begun to care for her, just a little.

The date of Lady Beasely’s
soiree
arrived, and Guin actually anticipated attending the function. Since her extraordinary conversation with Miss Beasely, curiosity had overcome some of her usual dread of going into company. Her trepidation was laid entirely to rest when Colonel Caldar persuaded Lord Holybrooke to accompany them and make it a full family party.

Since Lord Holybrooke had expressed not an iota of interest in Miss Beasely, or for that matter, in any lady, Guin entered the ballroom wanting to see just how Miss Beasely intended to captivate her brother.

Lady Beasely and her daughter stood at the head of the stairs to receive their guests as they arrived. Lady Beasely greeted Lord Holybrooke and the rest of the party graciously. She was all kindness, even going so far as to compliment Guin on her gown. “How delightfully you look this evening, my dear!”

“Thank you, my lady,” said Guin, surprised and shyly pleased by her ladyship’s condescension. She had little opportunity to say more before Mrs. Holland engaged Lady Beasely’s attention. She was not put out, however, for then she was free to move on to Miss Beasely.

Miss Beasely greeted her as though they were fast friends. “Guin! I am so glad you came,” she said warmly, holding out both hands and squeezing Guin’s fingers. She tucked Guin’s hand into her arm. “Mama released me from my duties just as you came up the stairs. Come, I wish to introduce you to my particular friends. Pray join us, Lord Holybrooke! We are to have dancing before supper, just an informal romp. It will be good fun, I promise you.”

“I should like that, Margaret,” said Guin.

She glanced over her shoulder at her brother, curious as to how he was perceiving Miss Beasely’s animated style. Correctly interpreting Guin’s look, Lord Holybrooke grimaced ever so slightly. As Miss Beasely also glanced back to share a friendly word, his expression in an instant changed to one of polite civility.

However, Lord Holybrooke’s bland politeness was abandoned when he discovered that Lord Tucker and a couple of his other particular cronies were among the company. “I didn’t expect you to be here, Chuffy,” he exclaimed, clasping his friend’s hand.

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss one of Lady Beasely’s functions. Her ladyship always provides an amusing evening,” said Lord Tucker.

“Thank you, my lord!” said Miss Beasely, laughter on her face as she swept a teasing curtsy. Lord Tucker grinned in response as though at a good joke.

“Besides, her ladyship’s cook is superb,” put in one of the other gentlemen.

All of the young gentlemen laughed, and so did Miss Beasely and Guin. “For shame! One would think you were ruled by your stomach, Peter,” said Miss Beasely with a mock frown, speaking with the familiarity of one who had known the gentleman from the cradle.

“Well, so I am,” said Mr. Lychbold candidly. He was a very tall, very thin young man. “I am always hungry. Ask anyone.”