Read Online The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) by L. A. Hilden - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L. A. Hilden
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constant battle with himself.
“Would you mind escorting me onto the balcony for some air?” she asked, her tone and demeanor all innocence.
Paxton knew he could not handle being around her much longer. She stirred his loins and played with his mind like no other woman he’d ever met. Assuredly, other women had made strong overtures toward him, but he hadn’t felt drawn to them as he was to Lady Evelyn. On top of these reasons for needing to leave her side, they had drawn enough attention to themselves for one evening. A trip to the balcony was out of the question. “I think it would be best if I returned you to your family.” Paxton escorted her to her father, bowed, and smartly took his leave. He congratulated himself for doing the right thing in regard to an innocent miss.
***
Eve stared helplessly at the Earl of Devonhurst’s retreating back.
“I thought I told you to stay away from him,” her mother scolded quietly while keeping a smile on her face for the onlookers.
Eve was angry at Paxton’s speedy dismissal. Once he was no longer in view, she looked at her mother. “It would have been rude to refuse a dance, Mother. After all, Lord Devonhurst did save me from being crushed by the theater crowd.” She wasn’t about to tell her mother that she had asked him to dance. Such things were not done.
“Yes, of course, dear. I understand. It seems that, once you two were on the dance floor, the volume of voices increased tenfold. People do like to gossip. You would do well to endeavor not to be the name on everyone’s lips.” Thankfully her mother was pulled aside by Cassandra who needed her escort to retrieve some punch.
Eve declined dances for the rest of the evening, claiming she was tired. She sat on a nearby chair next to her father, who was conversing with another older gentleman. She looked up as a shadow fell over her. “Hello, Count Vernon.”
“Would you care to dance, Mademoiselle Evelyn?” Henri held out his arm.
Eve was still bothered by Paxton and only noticed the count’s gesture when he pulled his arm back. She tried to smile, but it was a bad effort. “ Merci, mais non .” She switched back to English. “I’m afraid I’m fatigued.”
“Yes, the hour does grow late. Perhaps I could persuade your father to allow me to escort you home.”
Eve was stunned by such an insolent comment. “That would be most improper, sir. My parents would never allow me to ride with you without a chaperone.”
Henri nodded. “Nor should they, my dear. I thought Lady Cassandra could join us.”
Eve felt silly for thinking him so crass. Looking up into his light brown eyes, she smiled. “That is a fine idea. Thank you.”
“I’m going to say goodbye to a few friends and then I will retrieve your cloaks for you.”
When Madeline and Cassandra returned, Evelyn asked permission to be driven home, along with Cassandra, by the count. Her mother agreed, claiming her father was also tired, and saying they would follow behind them.
Eve was talking to her mother about plans for tomorrow when the Earl of Devonhurst walked up with a young lady on his arm. “Lady Stonehaven, may I introduce my sister, Lady Lydia. Lydia, Lady Stonehaven and her daughters, Lady Evelyn and Lady Cassandra.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Lydia curtsied and Eve and Cassie curtsied in return.
“I’m glad for this introduction, Lady Lydia. I had asked your brother to bring you over for I wished to meet you. I’ve heard much about you,” Lady Stonehaven said.
“My mother hears everything that goes on in London from her friend Lady Spritewater,” Eve stated by way of explanation. She was so thrilled that Paxton was back beside her that she had a difficult time holding back her giddiness. He stood between her and his sister. She could see the resemblance between sister and brother, the same hair color and defined cheekbones.
Lady Lydia nodded. “I don’t believe I know her, but I hope she told you good
“Would you mind escorting me onto the balcony for some air?” she asked, her tone and demeanor all innocence.
Paxton knew he could not handle being around her much longer. She stirred his loins and played with his mind like no other woman he’d ever met. Assuredly, other women had made strong overtures toward him, but he hadn’t felt drawn to them as he was to Lady Evelyn. On top of these reasons for needing to leave her side, they had drawn enough attention to themselves for one evening. A trip to the balcony was out of the question. “I think it would be best if I returned you to your family.” Paxton escorted her to her father, bowed, and smartly took his leave. He congratulated himself for doing the right thing in regard to an innocent miss.
***
Eve stared helplessly at the Earl of Devonhurst’s retreating back.
“I thought I told you to stay away from him,” her mother scolded quietly while keeping a smile on her face for the onlookers.
Eve was angry at Paxton’s speedy dismissal. Once he was no longer in view, she looked at her mother. “It would have been rude to refuse a dance, Mother. After all, Lord Devonhurst did save me from being crushed by the theater crowd.” She wasn’t about to tell her mother that she had asked him to dance. Such things were not done.
“Yes, of course, dear. I understand. It seems that, once you two were on the dance floor, the volume of voices increased tenfold. People do like to gossip. You would do well to endeavor not to be the name on everyone’s lips.” Thankfully her mother was pulled aside by Cassandra who needed her escort to retrieve some punch.
Eve declined dances for the rest of the evening, claiming she was tired. She sat on a nearby chair next to her father, who was conversing with another older gentleman. She looked up as a shadow fell over her. “Hello, Count Vernon.”
“Would you care to dance, Mademoiselle Evelyn?” Henri held out his arm.
Eve was still bothered by Paxton and only noticed the count’s gesture when he pulled his arm back. She tried to smile, but it was a bad effort. “ Merci, mais non .” She switched back to English. “I’m afraid I’m fatigued.”
“Yes, the hour does grow late. Perhaps I could persuade your father to allow me to escort you home.”
Eve was stunned by such an insolent comment. “That would be most improper, sir. My parents would never allow me to ride with you without a chaperone.”
Henri nodded. “Nor should they, my dear. I thought Lady Cassandra could join us.”
Eve felt silly for thinking him so crass. Looking up into his light brown eyes, she smiled. “That is a fine idea. Thank you.”
“I’m going to say goodbye to a few friends and then I will retrieve your cloaks for you.”
When Madeline and Cassandra returned, Evelyn asked permission to be driven home, along with Cassandra, by the count. Her mother agreed, claiming her father was also tired, and saying they would follow behind them.
Eve was talking to her mother about plans for tomorrow when the Earl of Devonhurst walked up with a young lady on his arm. “Lady Stonehaven, may I introduce my sister, Lady Lydia. Lydia, Lady Stonehaven and her daughters, Lady Evelyn and Lady Cassandra.”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Lydia curtsied and Eve and Cassie curtsied in return.
“I’m glad for this introduction, Lady Lydia. I had asked your brother to bring you over for I wished to meet you. I’ve heard much about you,” Lady Stonehaven said.
“My mother hears everything that goes on in London from her friend Lady Spritewater,” Eve stated by way of explanation. She was so thrilled that Paxton was back beside her that she had a difficult time holding back her giddiness. He stood between her and his sister. She could see the resemblance between sister and brother, the same hair color and defined cheekbones.
Lady Lydia nodded. “I don’t believe I know her, but I hope she told you good
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