'What are you talking about?'
'You, my friend. I'm talking about you. A very short time ago you told me you only wanted an affair and that your heart remained your own.'
Daniel dragged his gaze away from Carolyn and Jennsen to glare at his friend. 'Your point?'
'I believe you've been hoist upon your own petard.' He clapped his hand on Daniel's shoulder. 'Having recently been through the gut-twisting experience of losing my heart, not to mention my soul, you have my sympathies.'
Daniel actually felt himself go pale. 'I've done nothing of the sort.'
'I've been observing you, my friend, and you most certainly have.'
'Since when have you taken to observing me so closely?'
Matthew flashed a smile. 'Since you became so very interesting to watch. Consider me at your disposal should you need an ear to listen-or a shoulder to cry on.'
'I'm hardly going to burst into tears.'
Matthew gave an approving nod. 'Keep that stiff upper lip. Good plan. As for me, I'll just wait for the moment until I can say 'I told you so.' And perhaps even collect on that fifty pound wager we made. In the meantime, I'm off to find the love of my life, take her home and get her into bed. I suggest you do the same. I wish you luck.'
His thoughts in turmoil, Daniel watched his friend walk away. Could Matthew be right? Had he foolishly lost his heart? Bloody hell, he certainly hoped not, because if he had, he'd done so with a woman who'd made it plain she didn't want it.
He looked toward Carolyn, who now stood chatting with her friends Lady Julianne and Lady Emily. A quick scan of the area showed that bastard Jennsen moving toward the French doors leading to the terrace.
Jaw tight, Daniel headed after him. When he stepped outside, Daniel saw his quarry standing alone in the corner, staring out into the small garden.
'A moment of your time, Jennsen.'
Jennsen turned toward him and raised his brows, most likely at his peremptory tone. Daniel didn't give a damn.
After muttering something that sounded suspiciously like
Most likely because that's precisely how he felt. 'You kissed Lady Wingate.'
Jennsen's brows rose and he looked slightly amused. 'I don't see how that's any of your concern.'
'It is very much my concern. You are casting your amorous attentions in the wrong direction.'
'As far as I can tell, I'm free to cast them in any direction I please.' He gave a short laugh. 'Unlike you aristocrats, I'm not enslaved by a title or stringent rules regarding romance and marriage or the pressing need to provide an heir to some centuries old pile of rubble.'
'And yet you aspire to win the favor of a viscountess.'
'You know as well as I that Carolyn isn't like the other women in there.' He jerked his chin toward the drawing room. 'She only married into that title and has, thank God, retained the goodness from her more humble beginnings.'
Daniel's hands fisted at Jennsen's familiar use of her first name. 'Which makes her far too good for you.'
'And perfect for you, I suppose.'
'That is none of your business. Suffice it to say the lady is not available.'
'Surely that is for her to decide.' Jennsen narrowed his eyes. 'Are you betrothed?' Before Daniel could answer, Jennsen added quickly, 'No, of course you're not. Your aversion to marriage is well known.' His lips curved upward in a slow smile. 'I myself harbor no such aversion. I merely need to find the right woman.'
'I assure you that woman is not Lady Wingate.' He stepped closer to Jennsen and took satisfaction that he stood just a bit taller than the American. 'The lady has made her choice, and it's not you.'
Jennsen regarded him steadily. Finally he said, 'I'm aware of that.'
Daniel barely managed to hide his surprise at Jennsen's capitulation. He wanted to ask Jennsen how he knew- right after he planted the bastard a facer-but thought better of it. It didn't matter how he knew so long as he knew. A bit of the tension eased from his shoulders.
'Nor, as it happens,' Jennsen continued, 'is she my choice.'
Another layer of tension dissipated. 'Excellent.'
'But know-the only reason I told you is because I've no wish to cause Carolyn any difficulties.' His gaze flicked over Daniel. 'If she had to choose someone else, I'm glad it's you.'
'And why is that?'
'Because it's very clear you care for her. And she deserves to be cared for.'
Daniel kept his expression impassive, but only with an effort. Bloody hell, first Matthew, now Jennsen. When had he become so transparent? Well, of course he cared for her. He'd desired her since the first moment he saw her. And even though Jennsen's assessment vaguely annoyed him, he appreciated the man's honesty. In fact it occurred to him that so long as Jennsen stayed away from Carolyn, he could possibly, maybe, perhaps, someday actually come to like the man. Just a little.
He cleared his throat. 'As for you finding the right woman, Jennsen, for all your disparaging remarks about us aristocrats, I wager you'll fall arse over heels for an English girl.' A laugh escaped him. 'Oh, the irony of that.'
Jennsen made a scoffing sound. 'If I do, you can bet your arse she won't be some nose-in-the-air Society chit. I'd rather marry a barmaid.'
'And yet at Matthew's house party you cast your eye upon Lady Wingate's sister, and then toward Lady Wingate.'
'Neither of whom were 'to the manor born.''
Daniel pondered for several seconds then asked, 'Care to make it interesting?'
'What do you mean?'
'I've fifty pounds that says you'll fall in love with a Society chit.'
'Done,' said Jennsen without an instant's hesitation. 'Easiest fifty pounds I'll ever earn. Care to make it even more interesting?'
'You'd prefer to lose one hundred pounds?'
'Oh, I have no intention of losing. I meant another fifty-pound wager. That you, too, will fall in love with a Society chit.'
Daniel inwardly chuckled. Since he'd already made nearly the identical bet with Matthew, why not collect twice? Jennsen had no way of knowing that having reached the age of three and thirty without falling prey to the manacles of love, he was obviously quite impervious. While Carolyn might have managed to steal a tiny piece of his previously untouched heart, that hardly meant she owned it all. Or that he'd allow himself to get leg-shackled. His heart, as always, remained his-albeit with the minuscule nick currently in it.
'Agreed.' He smiled and rubbed his hands together. 'I'm going to enjoy relieving you of your hundred pounds, Jennsen.'
Jennsen chuckled and shook his head. 'You'll never see it. There will be no Society chit for me, and your neck is already in the noose, Surbrooke, with the hangman's hand on the trapdoor lever. But still, I wish you luck.' Still chuckling, Jennsen walked away, disappearing into the drawing room.
Annoyed yet not quite certain way, Daniel looked through the French doors into the drawing room. His gaze found Carolyn, and as if she felt the weight of his stare, she turned toward him. Their gazes met through the glass, and it felt as if the flagstones beneath his feet shifted.
Both Matthew and Jennsen had wished him luck, and he suddenly didn't doubt that he'd need it.
Chapter Eighteen
