Page 19 of Loving an Earl
“I speak the truth. What did you think of Hollingsworth, Lilly?”
Before she could respond, she smiled and felt her cheeks warm. “He is definitely the most handsome man I’ve ever encountered. But I wonder if he has a serious bone in his body, as his eyes shone with amusement the entire time he was here. And I got the feeling it wasn’t just for our benefit. He enjoyed getting under Langford’s and Blackstone’s skin with his jesting.”
Emmeline’s eyes studied her, and Lilly squirmed under the scrutiny. “I have heard there’s more to the man than just another pretty face and affable personality. I think he would be perfect for you.”
Lilly didn’t know about that. She could see herself spending time with him, getting to know the real Hollingsworth. “I hope he calls upon me again.”
“He will,” Aunt Vivian said confidently.
*
“Who do youthink Hollingsworth is interested in?” Blackstone queried as he and Langford entered the crowd in Hyde Park on horseback.
Edmund frowned. The answer to that question was very much on his mind. “We should have asked.”
“And look jealous?” Blackstone laughed. “Are you out of your bloody mind?”
“Perhaps he called upon Lilly, and with any luck, he will propose, and I will no longer feel responsible for her. Or anything else for her. I could wipe my hands clean of her, knowing he would be kind to her. I can get on with my life without her haunting my dreams at night.”
“I don’t think that’s what you want. Think very carefully before you encourage this match. Remember the rumors from years past?”
Damn Blackstone for his intuition and his memory. Of course it wasn’t what he wanted, but helping her find a match was the right and honorable thing to do. He would bury his lust and desires for Lilly. Perhaps he would take a mistress to help slake his need. And bloody hell, he’d forgotten about Hollingsworth and the rumors surrounding his sexual preferences. Perhaps he wasn’t the gentleman for Lilly after all. Hollingsworth had never refuted the rumors, but they were never proven true, either. He could still be a good match for Lilly. Only time would tell.
“Rotten Row is a crush today. If we go at this slow pace, we’ll never make it around the park until midnight.” Blackstone complained. He led his horse to the right of the path, his eyes and his horse’s nose trained ahead.
“Tell me you are not looking for Emmeline?” Edmund eyed his friend who looked agitated sitting stiff and tall in his saddle.
“What if I am? Not that it matters. She deserves someone better than me.”
“You could just bed her and get her out of your system,” Langford suggested.
Blackstone’s head whipped around, and he glared daggers at him. “If I weren’t on horseback, I’d punch you for disrespecting her.”
Langford had never heard his friend so cross. “Apologies.”
“How would you like it if I spoke about Lady Langford that way?”
How would he?“Point taken—you’re right. Do you see them?”
“No.” He glanced over his shoulder and watched as Blackstone grimaced and mumbled something under his breath. “The blackguard! Here comes Hollingsworth sitting like a peacock on his mount. So help me, God, if he’s after my Emmeline...”
Edmund was shocked at Blackstone. He looked positively ready to murder someone—that someone being most likely the marquess. Edmund told himself that he hoped Hollingsworth was interested in Lilly for his friend’s sake, but it was a lie and the pain in this chest proved it. It would be even worse, though, if Hollingsworth’s affections were for Emmeline. He’d hate to see his friend lose Emmeline to another man again, regardless of what Blackstone said about being wrong for her. If it hadn’t been for their friend, Fitzpatrick, Blackstone and Emmeline would have been married ten years now.
When they’d been wet behind the ears and all of nineteen, both Fitzpatrick and Blackstone had fallen hard for Emmeline, who was eighteen at the time. There were times Edmund had worried for their friendship. As the Season had progressed toward summer that year, Blackstone had eased off when he witnessed how much Fitzpatrick loved her. They’d married that autumn and had four wonderful years together before the tragic riding accident took Fitzpatrick’s life. Another six years had gone by now, and Edmund thought it was high time Blackstone made his move and married the woman he’d never stopped loving.
Hollingsworth caught up to them. “Gentlemen.” He tipped his hat. “May I join you?”
“Only if you tell us which lady you are interested in,” Edmund said, causing Blackstone to snort. Edmund looked at Blackstone and shrugged one shoulder. He had to ask. He hated seeing his friend twisted up in knots.
The marquess chuckled. “Perhaps I was merely paying a social call with no ulterior motive.” He looked at both men with a grin Edmund wanted to wipe off his face with a slap from his gloved hand.
“If we weren’t in public . . .” Blackstone threatened.
Hollingsworth chuckled, not the least bit bothered. “If you must know, I called upon the countess. And please tell me you both are not vying for Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s favors. We don’t need history repeating itself.” He had the nerve to look concerned as though he really cared one way or another.
“No,” Blackstone said, his posture now relaxed and a grin on his face.
Good for him. But Edmund’s insides jumbled up like someone was scrambling eggs. Deep inside his mind, he knew this could be a favorable thing. Hollingsworth would make Lilly an advantageous match, sans the rumors—rumors he should set aside some time to look into, just to be sure.
