Page 16 of The Odyssean Duke

“Interesting.”

“I suppose.”

“What about the late Lord Thornwall?” Stephan asked.

Murrayton shrugged. “I never met him. He died several years ago, and Lady Thornwall never remarried.”

“Do you know if it was a happy marriage?”

“I do not,” Murrayton said.

Perhaps Stephan’s second theory about Lady Thornwall being a lonely widow was not entirely wrong. He took another swallow of brandy, thinking about her wide green eyes and the way her breath had hitched when he looked at her in the drawing room.

“Are you considering the countess as a potential wife?” Murrayton asked.

“I think…” Stephan trailed off.

As much as Stephan appreciated Murrayton’s friendship, the encounter with Lady Thornwall in the tavern felt too personal to share. Murrayton would never tell anyone about the meeting, but Stephan still found himself discomforted with the prospect of telling anyone that he had seen Lady Thornwall in such a compromising way.

“Perhaps,” Stephan said. “We have spoken briefly about the possibility. I have given her two days to consider my offer.”

That was the truth without anything incriminating.

“She is…” Murrayton trailed off. “A spirited woman.”

“I have noticed.”

However, it did not matter what manner of lady the countess was. Once Lady Thornwall had her child, they would never need to speak to one another again. At worst, they might agree to appear at the same event for appearance’s sake.

“What will you do if she does not accept?” Murrayton asked.

“I will ask another woman,” Stephan said. “What choice do I have?”

Murrayton’s eyes narrowed. “If you wish to attract the attention of marriageable ladies, you will need to announce your presence to the ton,” he said.

“I suppose that is true.”

“Ifonlyyou had been invited to an event,” Murrayton said. “A garden party, perhaps. Being hosted by a persistent woman with unmarried daughters.”

Stephan finished the remainder of his brandy in a long, heavy swallow. “I can think of few things I would rather do less than attend a garden party.”

“But you need a bride and an heir.”

“Yes, I do.”

Stephan thought of Lady Thornwall with something close to longing. As suitable as she seemed, he must consider the possibility that she might refuse his offer. Stephan would be foolish not to meet other ladies, just in case.

CHAPTER 7

Lady Brookshire’s gardens were splendid on most days, but on the day of her garden party, they were exquisite. Evelina gazed admiringly at the white archway, covered with purple wisteria and green drapery. The cobblestone pathway was lined by rosebushes in full bloom. Elegant lords and ladies were seated together beneath white pavilions, filled with tables laden with delicacies and glasses of lemonade. A pleasant breeze swept through the air, sending the fronds of a weeping willow tree flowing across the ground. The light, fluttering notes of a violin swept through the laughter and conversation.

Evelina paused at the garden entrance, waiting for Lady Brookshire to greet them. Beside Evelina, her sister Theodora was whispering something to their mother, Lady Diana Dowell. By chance, their mother was more infamous than Evelina and Theodora both. She had recently separated from their father, Lord Dowell, and this garden party would be her first outing in society since that fateful day.

“Oh, Diana!” exclaimed Lady Brookshire.

Evelina’s muscles instinctively tensed. She realized that she was preparing herself to counter any insults flung unfairly toward her mother.

“Eleanor,” Evelina’s mother said. “It has been so long.”