The two people behind him, however, he had never met, though the viscount had spoken of his children before. Simon and Beatrice were twins, apparently, both with blond hair and green eyes, and dressed fashionably in the London style.
“Your Grace,” Daly began as he took a deep bow, “we are utterly honored by your invitation to your magnificent home.” Simon followed suit, while Beatrice made a deep curtsey.
“Your invitation came as a pleasant surprise, Your Grace,” Simon said.
It was definitely a surprise, Reed thought to himself, but bit his tongue. “Thank you for making the trip here.”
“I’ve heard many great things about Huntington Park, Your Grace.” Beatrice looked up at him from lowered lashes. “And I must say, words do not do it justice.”
“Thank you, Miss Richardson.” He cleared his throat. “Your messenger must have gotten lost on the way here to announce your arrival,” he said in a careful tone. “So, you must forgive me if your rooms are not ready. I’ll have Cook prepare some refreshments in the drawing room.”
“You’re too kind, Your Grace,” Simon said.
He led them out of his office toward the drawing room down the hall. However, as they made their way, a small figure darted down the hallway.
“Uncle Reed!” came William’s boisterous laugh. “She’s coming after me! Help!”
He bent down to catch his nephew before he bumped into him or his guests, but as he looked up, his gaze crashed into brilliant blue eyes.
Elise seemed just as surprised to see him, and she suddenly stopped to a halt a few inches from him. Her chest rose and fell from exertion, and she let out a series of quick breaths. “Your … Grace.” She curtseyed. “We were playing and—”
“Elise is so good at tag,” William declared. “She’s caught me twice already, and I thought if I ran inside, she wouldn’t be able to find me. I’m sorry to bother you, Uncle Reed.”
“You’re not a bother at all, William. But young lords shouldn’t run inside the house,” he said as he put William down, though he couldn’t help but smile and ruffle his hair. He glanced up at Elise again, but she averted his gaze. He couldn’t blame her but couldn’t stop himself from admiring her in her light blue morning gown which clung to her curves. A rope of her brazen red hair had escaped her coiffure and curled around her delicate, swan-like neck.
A cough from behind made him startle. “Your Grace,” Viscount Daly began. “Why don’t you introduce us to your nephew and his, uh, friend?”
Reed straightened his spine. “Of course.” He introduced William to the three before turning to Elise. “And this is Miss Elise Henney. She’s our … guest from America.”
“How do you do?” Elise said.
“An honor, Miss Henney.” Viscount Daly took her gloved hand and kissed it.
“Lovely to meet you,” Elise greeted back.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Simon said.
Reed’s wolf suddenly began to growl at him and he was glad the Richardsons weren’t Lycan. But why his wolf was acting that way, he didn’t know. Perhaps it was the way Viscount Daly’s lips seemed to linger too long on her hand or Simon’s eyes quickly darted down her décolletage.
“We should be off.” Reed patted William on the head. “Run along now, William. Miss Henney.” With a quick nod, he sidestepped them and proceeded down the hallway to the drawing room, ignoring his wolf’s protests.
Since Reed’s unexpected guests had decided to stay for two days, he couldn’t avoid joining the evening’s dinner. Eleanor was not too pleased with newcomers, but she could hardly say anything since it was his home. Grandmama, on the other hand, welcomed their presence. “He’s the perfect test,” she had said. “A member of the ton, so he knows how to act in society, yet he’s been away long enough that he doesn’t hold too much influence if any of the girls have any missteps.”
After his valet helped him dress in his customary evening formalwear, he headed down to the library for drinks. Everyone was already there, even Jeremy, who had arrived sometime in the afternoon. He was chatting with the dowager duchess, while Signore Rossi, Eleanor, Cross, Bridget, and Julianna were sitting on the settee by the fireplace listening to Viscount Daly talk about his home in the West Indies. However, his gaze was once again drawn toward Elise who looked stunning in a green satin evening gown. A dark, unknown feeling stabbed through him when he saw Simon Richardson talking to her, which only grew when Elise laughed at something he must have said.
Ignoring his own family—and all propriety—his strode toward them, hands clenched at his sides.
“And so, while I was chasing the puppy—” Simon’s blue eyes widened when he saw Reed approach. “Your Grace.” He dipped his head. “Good evening.”
Elise’s mouth parted, and even as she curtseyed, he couldn’t stop himself from thinking about how soft and delicious it was the other night when he kissed her. That night seemed like it was a long time ago. “Good evening. I trust your rooms are comfortable, Mr. Richardson?” He wasn’t above reminding the young fop who owned this house.
“They are, Your Grace,” he answered. “Thank you.”
His eyes darted toward Elise. She was doing that thing again where she was looking right through him. It damn well irritated him. “It seems I’ve interrupted your story. Please, go on.”
“It wasn’t important, Your Grace,” Simon said.
“Your Grace.” Beatrice Richardson seemingly popped up from nowhere. “Good evening.” She gave a low curtsey, bending forward slightly so he could see the daring neckline of her silver evening dress. “Thank you for being such a generous host to us.”
“My pleasure,” he said, giving her a bright smile. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Elise’s narrowed gaze and flared
