Devil in Her Dreams (11 page)

Eleanor entered a moment later holding her skirt slightly off the floor. A ripped flounce swished behind her. Madeline followed. They paused as they noted the Louisa and Moira. “I am sorry. Would you like us to come back later?”

“
No, of course not, Eleanor, Madeline.”

“
I have a few suggestions,” Moira said after the ladies moved to the other side of the room. “I hope you have other names to add.”

Louisa nodded for her to continue.

Lord Lydell was Moira’s first suggestion.

“
He is too desperate for an heiress and I don’t want to accidentally be caught by him.”

“
Lord Garrison?”

Louisa frowned. “He is younger than I am, and also broke.”

“
Berkswell.”

“
I don’t know him, only of him and he doesn’t strike me as the type of gentleman that would assist in this scheme.”

“
Lord Harrison Casemore?” Moira suggested as an alternative. “He is Berkswell’s younger brother and maybe a better candidate.

Louisa churned the idea over. “Possibly, but let’s see who we else we can come up with.”

“
Albert Potsdon,” Moira giggled.

“
I don’t think anyone, especially Marston, would consider him competition.”

“
I could ask Lord Acker. He is a dear friend of mine,” Eleanor offered from the other side of the room.

Louisa and Moira turned to her.

“
You are trying to find the perfect gentlemen to force Marston’s hand, am I not right?”

Louisa’s face heated. “Yes.”

Eleanor walked over and took a seat with them. “I am rather surprised this is necessary. I expected Marston to have offered for you already.”

Louisa did not want to explain the reasons why. “He is not in a position to make an offer at the moment, or to court me.”

“
It’s our fault.”

Louisa jerked and looked toward the door. Marston’s three sisters stood at the entrance. Goodness, how much and exactly what had they heard? Would they tell Marston? Mortification was not a strong enough word for the emotion that engulfed her.

She stood and walked to them and the three stepped further into the room. “No, it isn’t. Never think that. Your brother simply wants to protect you, and he doesn’t feel he can do that and court me at the same time.” She smiled at them. “I am Louisa Whitton, by the way.”

The girls introduced themselves, and Louisa found herself smiling, remembering the comments Marston had made about them. They were strikingly beautiful with the olive skin, dark hair, and light eyes. No wonder he worried about them.

“
He is going to want us to marry more quickly than he did before,” Calista said quietly to Miranda.

“
I assume you agreed with Devlin so he could then court you.”” Miranda narrowed her eyes at Louisa, as if trying to assess her.

“
Heavens, no. In fact, we have argued over that very thing. While I understand his desire to see you happy, I’m vehemently opposed him rushing you to the alter.”

The middle sister seemed to relax.

“
I simply can’t wait for the three of you to be settled.” Louisa bit her bottom lip, studying the young women. “I hate to ask this of you, since we don’t even know one another, but could you not tell him, please.”

“
Tell him?” Calista asked as if it hadn’t even occurred to her.

“
Never!” Miranda grinned. “If fact, we are going to help you.”

Louisa looked at Penelope. This was the one who couldn’t keep a secret.

“
He did tell you about us,” Miranda laughed.

Calista looked at her youngest sister. “You will not breathe a word of this to Devlin.”

Penelope’s eyes widened. “Of course not,” she insisted before she turned back to Louisa. “I saw the way he looked at you when you entered the ballroom tonight.” She grinned. “And he has glanced in your direction more times than I can count.”

Her sisters nodded in agreement.

Louisa hoped that would be the case but had been afraid to look at him for fear he was ignoring her presence. “Thank you.” She sighed and returned to her seat. This was turning into much more than she’d planned, and all Louisa could do was pray that word didn’t get back to Marston or it would never work.

“
We still haven’t decided on a gentleman we can ask to assist us in this plan,” Moira reminded her.

A slow smile came to Eleanor’s lips. “I have the perfect candidate. He is wicked and honorable, and handsome as the devil. Marston will not be able to ignore his courtship.”

Devlin paced before the open doors. Where were they? Louisa had disappeared after supper and his sisters had gone to the retiring room, together, almost an hour ago. Had they wandered off somewhere? Were they hauled off into one of the many chambers in this house by gentlemen intent on ruining them? What of Louisa? Her father was over by the potted palms speaking with a few older gentlemen, but she was nowhere in sight. What if she met up with another gentleman? What if some cad was sweeping her off her feet at this very moment?

He thrust his fingers through his hair. He couldn’t take this. It was too much. Maybe he should allow only one sister to attend each ball. They could take turns. Then he wouldn’t have to worry as much.

No, that wouldn’t work. He pivoted on his heel and walked in the opposite direction. While he was here with one sister, he would be wondering what the other two were up to at the house.

He was not suited for this, and for the millionth time wished his father and brother were here seeing to them.

“
What has you in such an agitated state?” Jordan Trent asked, stopping beside him. A footman, carrying a tray of filled wine glasses paused before them. Jordan lifted one, handed it to Devlin, then chose two more. His brother, Earl Bentley stopped beside him and took one of them.

“
Thank you.” Devlin gulped back the wine. “I am waiting for my sisters to return. They went upstairs awhile.

“
My wife hasn’t returned either. She tore a flounce or something, and Madeline went with her.” Lord Bentley frowned.

“
Well, I do hope Miss Whitton returns soon. She saved a waltz for me.” Trent grinned.

Devlin clenched his jaw. Trent was the last person who should be dancing with Louisa. Just because they were related by marriage didn’t mean the two couldn’t form an attachment. And what woman wasn’t attracted to Trent?

He narrowed his eyes. Louisa had remained at Bentley Manor, as had Trent, for two days after he left. Had her affections changed so quickly? Had Trent begun a courtship? “I am sure she could find a replacement if you feel the need to leave.”

Trent hitched a brow. “Why would I do that? I’ve been looking forward to it all evening.”

Devlin searched for a footman. Striding a few feet away, he placed his empty glass on the tray and retrieved a full one before returning to Trent and the earl.

“
If you are that eaten with jealousy, why not offer for her?” Bentley asked.

“
I’m not, and I can’t,” Devlin bit out, and he wasn’t about to explain. They couldn’t begin to understand. They only had one sister, who was safely with her sister-in-law, and not likely to get into any trouble.

Devlin glanced back up at the door again and stopped. Louisa entered, Penny at her side, talking, while Louisa smiled and nodded. What was his sister telling Louisa? Did she know anything he didn’t want told? No, Penny knew nothing of his private life, though there were a few embarrassing stories from his youth she could share.

Behind them were Miranda and Calista, heads tilted together conspiratorially, followed by Madeline, and the Ladies Bentley and Ainsely. Had they
all
been in the retiring room together, all this time? No wonder it had taken his sisters so long to return to him. Perhaps Lord and Lady Stockton needed to make sure there were more facilities available.

When the ladies reached the bottom of the steps, Louisa returned to her father, Devlin’s sisters came to stand by his side, and the other ladies returned to their respective husbands before Lady Bentley pulled Jordan Trent away. All was right in the world, and Devlin could feel his pulse slow. He had only a few more hours to go, and then he could leave with his sisters and rest until he had to do this all over again.

A waiter passed, and Devlin grabbed another glass of wine from the tray. He would need sustenance to get him through the rest of the evening.

Three gentlemen approached, and two of his sisters were escorted to the dance floor. Penny remained behind as she did not yet have permission to waltz since she had yet to enjoy the Season or receive a voucher to Almack’s. Devlin relaxed and glanced over at Louisa. Jordan Trent bent over her hand before he escorted her to the dance floor as the strains of a waltz began.

Trent pulled Louisa close to his body, much closer than was necessary, and smiled down at her. Louisa returned the smile as Trent bent to whisper something in her ear.

Damn and blast. Trent had better not have set his sights on
his
Louisa.

“
I am going with you!” Devlin yelled at his sisters. “Each of you has insisted you need fripperies or fans or hats, or whatever it is you ladies shop for. I am going along to insure you don’t spend a fortune or take any detours.” He leveled his eyes on Calista, who glared at him. “Besides, the fact that you are so against my presence only means I don’t dare leave you in charge of this outing.”

She sighed and pulled on her gloves.

“
I don’t mind you going at all, Devlin,” Penny insisted.

“
Miranda, do you have any concerns to voice?”

Silent as ever, she simply shook her head.

He followed them out of the house and loaded each into the carriage. It was a short drive to Bond Street, and when they alit onto the street, Devlin came face to face with Miss Whitton exiting a haberdashery on the arm of Trent. Madeline waited on the sidewalk for them. They paused as Devlin handed his sisters out and exchanged greetings. Devlin could think of nothing to say as he was too busy biting back oaths he wished to blister Trent’s ears with. Such words could not be uttered in the presence of the five ladies. However, the first time he was alone with Trent he would give him a piece of his mind.

While his sisters shopped Devlin scanned the street and walkways but never caught sight of Miss Whitton again. He could only hope that she was safely at home and far away from Jordan Trent.

“
Might we take a drive in the park?” Penny begged.

Devlin checked the time. “At this time of day, one goes to the park to be seen. As we have a closed carriage, it wouldn’t be very beneficial.”

“
We can walk after we arrive,” Miranda suggested.

As much as he wished to return home and rest before this evening to try to get rid of the blasted headache that remained with him since last night, his sisters were being agreeable. If they wished to drive in the park, then he would take them.

Once loaded back in the carriage, he stared out the window, watching people of all classes walk along the streets and keeping an eye out for Miss Whitton. He didn’t see her, and he wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not. Was Trent in her home right now, enjoying tea and her company?

The carriage pulled to the side after they entered the park, and he escorted his sisters, stopping several times to speak with acquaintances. Spending time in Hyde Park was actually enjoyable. The weather was cool, but not too brisk. There was a light breeze and the sky was almost clear. And, the headache that had been plaguing him was almost gone. Perhaps all he needed was a bit of relaxation in the company of his sisters.

“
Oh, there is Lady Madeline and Miss Whitton. I must go speak with them.” Penny was rushing off before he could offer an objection and his sisters followed at a more sedate pace.

His pulse increased just knowing she was close, and he turned to follow Penny, searching beyond her for the lady who continued to haunt him.

His blood ran hot. Louisa wasn’t with only Madeline, but Trent had her hand linked on his arm. They stood beneath a tree, their heads close as they spoke. Madeline was further away, walking toward his sisters.

Devlin cursed under his breath and stalked across the drive, nearly being run over by a phaeton. He didn’t care. He had to get Louisa away from Trent before it was too late.