He stared at Ezra as if he were some sort of foreign species. “I think you like her,” Fox said appalled.
“I do believe you’re right,” Ezra added, then smiled. “But I promise I’m not going to propose. She’d say no anyway. I’m safe from being leg shackled.”
“Well…I think I need to meet her. What woman doesn’t wish to marry?” He shook his head in disbelief. “She must be an anomaly or she’s pulling your leg.”
“She isn’t,” he answered. “But I’d like you to meet her. It’d be interesting to get your opinion.”
“Then I’ll go to the next…” He waved his hand. “Whatever you have on your schedule. Send the information to my secretary for the next several entertainments. I don’t want to miss her.”
Ezra grinned. “I’ll do that straightaway. In the meantime, would you like to join me at the club. I’m in the need of some sport.”
“That sounds fabulous,” he agreed, then finished his drink. “I’m experiencing a bit of ennui, and that sounds like a good distraction. I need to make a stop first. I’ll meet you there.” With those words Fox left in the same way he came. Like a swift breeze, in and out, without leaving any evidence behind. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. He’d left his empty brandy glass for the servants to collect later.
Ezra sighed and finished his own brandy. He had some plans to make before going to the club to meet Fox. They all involved his pretty wallflower. Fox would be concerned if he was aware of what Ezra intended. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him…
Chapter 5
A garden party… Teddy had believed balls were tedious. She had been completely ignorant when she had come to that conclusion. At the time she hadn’t realized how dreary a garden party could be. They were not even really in the garden, but outside its perimeter. She could make out some rather lovely roses from her current position and couldn’t help thinking it would be even nice to become lost inside the actual garden. She would have to find a reason to leave her sister’s side. Billie seemed determined to stay directly next to her no matter what. Teddy couldn’t discern any reason why.
She sighed. It was involuntary, and unfortunately caught her sister’s attention. Drat. Teddy hoped Billie wasn’t about to suggest she converse with some of the guests.
“Have you been introduced to Lady Amelia?” Billie asked. “She is Viscount Carrolton’s sister.”
Teddy would not roll her eyes. She wouldn’t. “I have not. I hadn’t realized you’d met her. Did you wish to speak with her?”
“I have not been introduced to her,” Billie answered in a fervent tone. “But perhaps we should be.” She practically craned her neck trying to catch a glimpse of Lady Amelia.
Her sister was relentless. “If Viscount Carrolton wishes for us to meet his sister, he’ll introduce us.” Lady Amelia Halsey might be a perfectly nice woman, but she was not going to encourage Billie into forcing an introduction. Teddy wasn’t a fool. Her sister thought the viscount had an interest in Teddy, and therefore believed an association with his sister would help facilitate a relationship.
“But he is friends with my husband,” Billie continued. “Surely I should be nice to his friends family. Don’t you think?” She nibbled on her bottom lip contemplatively as she stared across the lawn. “Would it be rude to introduce myself?”
She sneaked a glance of the woman in question. She had light, almost golden, brown hair, a shade lighter than her brothers. It was actually closer to blonde than brown. She was actually quite pretty. That didn’t really surprise Teddy considering how attractive she found Viscount Carrolton, but gorgeous faces didn’t make them wonderful people. They were just blessed with exquisite attributes. Though Billie’s curiosity could be used to Teddy’s advantage. She nibbled on her bottom lips and considered the possibilities…
Perhaps she should encourage Billie to talk with Lady Amelia.Maybe while her sister was occupied with her, Teddy could sneak away. She could explore the gardens and avoid socializing. “Not at all,” Teddy told her. “You should definitely go over to her.”
Billie narrowed her gaze. “You’re not going to accompany me, are you?”
“That’s correct,” she replied and then smiled. Her sister did know her well, and was quite wary of Teddy’s motives. “I have no desire to be friends with anyone or become more familiar with the viscount’s relatives. I already told you I do not plan to marry, and that after this season is over I’m going take that nice dowry your husband set up and live a life free from complications.” Teddy took a deep breath. “I’ll be all right for a few moments. Go introduce yourself to Lady Amelia and her chaperone.”
“You’re rotten,” Billie said and glared at her. “But I do think I’ll do as you suggest. I expect you to stay here until I return. Do not move, or I promise I will ensure you regret it later.”
Billie did not make a promise she couldn’t keep. Her sister could be quite devious when she put her mind to it. Teddy should be terrified. But she wasn’t. She would be prepared for whatever her sister concocted for her revenge. Still she chose her words carefully, “Where would I go? This gathering is packed, and we don’t have room to breathe.”
Billie shook her head and walked away without saying anything else. That was fine with Teddy. She actually preferred it that way because it made it easier for her to make her own escape. As Billie walked away in a tizzy, Teddy slid past a group of ladies gossiping about the latest scandals in the ton and walked into the path lined with shrubbery.
She continued down the path and grazed her fingers over some of the delicate
