Gentleman's Guide 01 - His Impetuous Debutante (2 page)

In her quest to escape, Phoebe
returned to her search, turned to look behind her and sighed. There
were lovely doors open with a garden just beyond. It wasn’t that
the doors were any lovelier than others, but these special doors
offered a heavenly relief. And better yet, there was no one
crowding around them. She could stand there or walk out onto the
terrace and catch a cooling breeze.

She looked up at Noah to ask him for
an escort but he was still involved in a conversation. Phoebe
waited a few more moments, tapping the toe of her foot, hoping he
would notice, but he never glanced her way. He was completely
oblivious. A wet trickle ran down the side of her neck and Phoebe
decided she would not remain in this room a moment longer. If Noah
was going to ignore her then she would step outside on her own.
Besides, what harm could there be in getting a bit of fresh
air?

Taylor noted Lady Phoebe coming his
way and glanced back to Noah, who had let his guard down for a
moment. Surely Lady Phoebe had been warned of leaving a party on
her own, especially onto a dark balcony. If so, she hadn’t heeded
it and Noah was too caught up in his own conversation to note her
escape.

He had watched her all evening as she
danced with one partner after the other, laughing, chatting and
apparently having a wonderful time. Not once did he notice her
flirt, act coy or flutter her eyelashes. It appeared she was simply
enjoying herself and it radiated from her entire being.

Her fresh innocence astounded him and
he couldn’t recall ever seeing it among the upper class before.
While it was delightful to watch her honest reactions, her naivety
could land her in trouble.

Taylor slipped through the doors after
her but knew better than to approach. Lady Felding had been quite
adamant about Lady Phoebe not being seen with any of the rogues, as
she liked to call Felding’s friends. It was too early in the Season
to ruin all marital opportunities for Lady Phoebe. Taylor didn’t
understand why, even though Janine seemed to think other gentlemen
could not compete. A ludicrous idea. Besides, Lady Phoebe was the
sister of one of his best friends. It would feel wrong to court
her, and certainly not with his history. Felding would shoot him
first.

However, Lady Phoebe was
the exact type of lady he wanted for a wife - open, enchanting,
charming, delightful and honest. Few of those characteristics could
describe the currently available ladies of the
ton
. But, as she was Felding’s
sister, he knew to look elsewhere, which he would do as soon as he
was free of guarding Lady Phoebe.

Time weighed upon him with each day
that passed. He would turn thirty in less than two years. If, by
that time, he had not married and sired a legitimate heir, the
estates and wealth would be taken from him. His title held little
appeal without the trappings that usually accompanied
it.

It wasn’t that he was against the
matrimonial state. In fact he had attempted it before and it ended
badly. If it were up to him, he would avoid marriage for the rest
of his life, but that option was not available.

He took a deep breath and tried to
relax. Remaining on the balcony did give him a break from the crush
and it was much cooler out here. Taylor focused on Lady Phoebe and
put the rest of the guests from his mind. The pale green gown and
the jewels around her neck enhanced her emerald eyes. Lady Phoebe’s
midnight hair had been pulled back into a curly mass at the back of
her head, with only a few errant curls around her face. She was
beautiful indeed and Taylor could well understand Felding’s concern
with her debut this Season.

His relaxation soon ended as a shadow
came through the door and Taylor knew instinctively it wasn’t
someone bent on good intentions. Jeremy Carlyle approached Lady
Phoebe, who currently had her back to the entrance. Taylor believed
Jeremy to be about his age with a rapidly diminishing reputation.
Carlyle was also in desperate need of funds, having been cut off by
his family due to his irresponsibility at the Faro table. This made
Phoebe the most attractive female in London. She could have two
heads with one eye and Taylor was sure Mr. Carlyle would still seek
her out.

*

Phoebe took a deep breath, filling her
lungs with the cool night hair. A breeze wafted across her skin,
cooling her almost immediately. Her shoulders relaxed and the
tension left her body. She leaned against the railing and sighed.
Below her in the gardens, couples walked arm in arm, most keeping
in sight of the house and their chaperones. A few she noticed
however, had stolen off into the darkness together. Even she knew
better than to walk into a dark garden with a man. Perhaps those
couples were already married. If so, then it probably was
permissible.

For the life of her she could not
comprehend why there weren’t more people out here instead of
inside. Perhaps they enjoyed the suffocating heat, but she didn’t
see how that was possible.

In the center of the garden below a
large fountain stood, water poured from stone buckets held by
maidens, modestly dressed. A smiled pulled at her lips. Most of the
statuary she had seen, at least those portraying humans, were far
from modest. Especially the one in the far back gardens of her own
home in the country. Of course, the land was filled will all kinds
of oddities added over the years. Naked statues, follies, mazes,
sequestered cozy cottages and the remains of a castle wall. She
loved exploring her home as a child and wished she could be there
right now.

Feeling a presence behind her, she
turned slightly, recognizing Jeremy Carlyle, the last man she had
danced with.

“
Lady Phoebe, I had no
idea you were here.”

*

“
Not bloody likely.” The
words could barely be heard and Phoebe looked beyond Carlyle but
did not see anyone. Perhaps it was someone who stood below in the
gardens. Voices were known to carry on breezes such as the one
cooling the air tonight.

Stopping in his tracks, Jeremy looked
around at his surroundings. He must have heard the comment as well.
He approached with more caution, looking around the area to see if
anyone was present.

“
Good evening, Mr.
Carlyle,” Lady Phoebe greeted.

“
You admire the gardens
below?” Jeremy asked her.

“
The gardens are
beautiful,” Phoebe agreed. “But it is that statute I find
interesting.” She pointed to a pair of cupids on top of a smaller
fountain far to the left side of the large one she admired a few
moments ago.

“
Did you have a chance to
see the ones on the other side of the house?” He gestured into the
darkened portion of the terrace. “Lord Sanderson loves to collect
statues. There are at least three times as many at his estate in
the country.”

“
No, I haven’t seen any
others here. I had no idea there were more.”

“
Let me show you.” Carlyle
offered his arm.

Phoebe began to take it, but hesitated
and cast a look at the man. “I don’t think I should,” she said with
reluctance and glanced at the darker end of the balcony.

Carlyle straightened and his chin
jutted out as if he were insulted. “I promise I’ll be on my best
behavior.”

“
Still, it wouldn’t be
wise,” Phoebe balked, looking back at the crowded ballroom,
hesitating.

“
I will have you back
before anyone notices you’re gone.”

She glanced to the end of the balcony,
back to the ballroom and then to Carlyle and smiled. Noah would
kill her if he learned but what were the chances of that happening.
He was too busy in conversation with that older couple, whose names
she had already forgotten. Besides, what real harm could there be?
It wasn’t as if they were the only people out here at the moment.
More than likely guests were strolling on that side of the house as
well. “Just for a moment and then I must hurry back before my
brother misses me.”

Jeremy’s smile broadened as he began
to lead her away but stopped short. The smile faded and Phoebe
looked up. The man barring their way was tall with light brown
hair. His eyes were dark as well, though cold at the moment. He
seemed angry, if the firmness of his full lips were any indication.
She recognized him as one of the men who had been standing with her
brother earlier. He must be one of the gentlemen she was to avoid.
Her mother warned her to avoid Noah’s friends without giving a
specific reason and she half wondered if they were dangerous. Not
that Noah could be considered as such. Phoebe wondered who this
gentleman was waiting for. Perhaps his mistress.

He casually leaned against a pillar,
blocking their progress. “You weren’t considering taking Lady
Phoebe away from the ball were you, Mr. Carlyle?”

The man stammered, cursing under his
breath. “She had a desire to see the statues on the other side of
the house. I was merely escorting her.”

Phoebe stood beside Carlyle and
watched the other man. What had been a lovely, carefree moment was
now filled with tension. Dread sank to her belly as she began to
comprehend the potential error she almost committed. She had been
warned of this very thing and she almost succumbed to Carlyle’s
charm. His offer seemed so nice and, well, innocent at the
time.

“
How thoughtful,” the
other man offered in a cool voice. “However, they can be seen much
better during the day.” Straightening, he took Phoebe’s arm from
Carlyle and turned her back toward the door. “I’ll mention it to
her brother so he can bring her by.”

Phoebe knew what this gentleman
believed and he was probably right. On her first night out she was
almost lured into the very situation she had been warned against.
Yet, she didn’t take too kindly to having her hand taken and placed
on this man’s arm. She hadn’t even been introduced to him,
regardless of his association with Noah. She tried to pull away but
his hand tightened. With their backs now to Carlyle, she looked up
at him in anger. “I believe you are one of the gentlemen my mother
suggested I avoid.” She wanted him to be as insulted as she was at
the moment.

He merely chuckled. “Believe me, your
mother will view me as the lesser of two evils.” They stopped
directly in the doorway and the handsome gentleman shot a look
toward Noah.

Phoebe saw her brother directly ahead,
bent over in conversation with the beautiful redhead she had seen
earlier. Currently the redhead was motioning toward the door with a
worried look. Was she trying to get her brother to take her out for
some cool air? Slowly, as his face lifted to hers, Phoebe saw the
worry that quickly turned into irritation when he spotted her
escort. The man holding her arm tensed and Phoebe was afraid Noah
would be angry with him when he had only helped her. As Noah
approached, she could sense his mood and groaned.

“
It is not how it
appears,” she offered hastily, believing Noah thought that she had
already broken a rule by being seen with this man.

“
On the contrary, it is
exactly what I feared,” Noah said through clenched teeth, while
keeping a pleasant smile on his face. Phoebe watched him curiously,
wondering how he did that.

“
Please don’t be angry
with this gentleman.” She stopped and turned toward the stranger.
“I am sorry, but I don’t know your name.”

He glanced toward Noah and then back
to her. A smile pulled at his lips. “Taylor Qualls, Earl of
Sandlin.” Bowing, he kissed her hand. “I am pleased to make your
acquaintance, Lady Phoebe.” He tucked her hand back in his elbow
again and faced Noah.

Why, this man wasn’t dangerous at all.
In fact at this very moment, he appeared quite charming. His eyes
weren’t so very dark or hard any longer. They were actually a warm
brown, with flecks of gold, she amended to herself. The poor
lighting on the balcony must have caused them to appear otherwise.
He also had a lovely smile, with straight white teeth. This Lord
Sandlin was actually a very handsome man. She would have to see
about finding a wife for him as well.

Shaking her thoughts, she turned her
attention back to Noah, hoping to calm him and keep him from
ruining a friendship. She started to open her mouth to speak, but
Noah glared at them both.

“
I wasn’t angry with
Sandlin.” He shot a look at his friend. “However, his need to
escort you back can only mean one thing, sweet sister.”

Phoebe stiffened. How could he know
what had almost occurred? She slid a glance at Lord Sandlin, then
back to her brother. Before she could offer a word, her escort
spoke, “Jeremy Carlyle.”

Phoebe was humiliated on the spot. So
much for charming. She was hoping her little error would remain a
secret, but apparently not.

Noah gave a quick nod of his head.
“That one didn’t waste much time.”

Phoebe watched their exchange. Had
Lord Sandlin been sent to watch her? Ridiculous, it was just a
coincidence he had been on the balcony at the same time.
Regardless, she knew something was going on by the way her brother
and his friend exchanged looks and short phrases. At least the
tension began to leave their posture.

“
Would you like me to take
care of it?” Lord Sandlin asked.