Serena (10 page)

Freddy appeared mollified by this, but Serena could not stop herself from casting a look towards his lordship, for there had been something in his voice that made her wonder. She turned her attention back to Sir Jasper and laughed as he had begun reciting a verse from Byron while waving his hand in her direction. “She walks in beauty like the night …”

Serena objected with a laugh, “Oh no … no, Sir Jasper. Byron meant that piece for a dark-haired woman. You are quite out likening it to me.”

Once again, Davis arrived at the open double doors, this time to announce, “Mr. Warren Beverly.”

“Egad!” Warren exclaimed as he walked into the morning room full of eligible bachelors. His bright, amused eyes and his warm smile were all for Serena. “Serena, love, what are you doing? Holding court?”

She giggled and told him soundly not to be nonsensical. He went directly to her uncle and touched the elderly man’s shoulder. “Squire. Up and about, are we? I am glad of it. You look a sight better than you did a few days ago. ’Tis time you got back into the way of things, for this wayward niece of yours needs some managing, you know.”

“Slander does not become you, Warren,” Serena bantered good-naturedly.

“Manage Serena? Ha,” said her uncle.

His lordship, Serena noticed, stood back, his hands clasped at his back, his legs wide apart, and she felt her eyes get lazy. What was wrong with her? Why did he have such an effect on her?

Davis returned, and this time there was no mistaking the weariness of his tone. “Mr. Eustace Bailey.”

“Hell and damnation!” Warren remarked warmly. “Doesn’t he have ministering angels and such to attend to?”

“Warren, shush,” Serena admonished.

She felt Daniel Pendleton at her side, so very near she thought if she wasn’t careful she might find herself in his arms. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Why, Miss Moorely, you have a selection of bachelors all hovering for your favors. Tell me, which one will you pick?”

“Ah,” she answered, taking it merely as a tease. “That is precisely what my uncle wishes to know.”

“Does he? He is a good man. I quite like him. So, you won’t even tell him?”

“I told him that none of the gentlemen you see before you are meant for me … and I have not allowed them to think that I am for them.”

“Not up to your standards?” he said dryly.

Something in his tone went right through her, and she felt a pin prick her heart. “Standards? What nonsense is that? I have but one requirement, and although a knight in shining armor would be very nice indeed, all I require is that the man I choose will be the man who wins my heart, even as I have won his.”

He eyed her, and she could see he was dubious. Why did he have such a poor opinion of her? What could she have done to deserve such a look?

“It is none of my business, of course, but I rather think my nephew wishes quite eagerly to court you, and I have seen no reason for him to think his suit would not be accepted.”

Why did he always make her want to slap his face? Was he being purposely disagreeable? He needed a set-down. Her hand twitched because at the very least she wanted to shove him away. She held her fisted hand at her side and said, “Ah, what a brilliant thing to deduce. It is actually none of your business.” She moved off and bantered and flirted with each man present quite equally, all the while seething inside.

* * *

His lordship had been watching Serena. He was, in fact, far too aware that he was staring at her more than was seemly. He couldn’t seem to look away, and it irritated him. He knew he had been rude to her. He was always ending their conversations with rude slights and unfair suppositions about her. He couldn’t seem to stop himself, and he couldn’t seem to look away from her. Everything about her intrigued him.

He was concerned about only one man in the room. Warren Beverly seemed a serious suitor and one who appeared at the very least to hold her attention more than the others.

His eyes narrowed as he watched Warren whispering in her ear. He couldn’t help but notice that although she listened to and smiled at the dashing fellow, she moved away from him and cast her uncle a mischievous glance. What was that all about? Did her uncle wish for such a match? No … how could he? Beverly’s pockets were to let. It was a widely known fact.

It seemed to his lordship that she did not give anyone her undivided attention. She was a perfect hostess, chatting amiably, teasing and creating a lively atmosphere, but she showed no one man a preference.

His lordship knew he was in a bit of trouble. He was far too attracted to the chit, and that was dangerous times in the making. Knowing this, he still couldn’t look away.

Jasper angled over to him and whispered, “Must speak with you.”

“Must you?” His lordship grinned.

“Walk to the window with me,” Jasper said on a low note.

His friend’s voice sounded serious, and his lordship cast him an odd look but did, in fact, meander with him to the window. Wondering what Jasper had to tell him left him both worried and irritated.

Freddy, however, at that moment brought their heads around as he suddenly exclaimed in high glee, “I tell you what you would like above all things, Serena.”

“What would I like
above
all things?” she said on a tease.

“Let’s ride over to Sir Newton’s kennels now. M’uncle can have a visit with an old friend, and we can see if those pups are born yet.”

A lively discussion ensued, and an expedition was put in place to travel the short distance to Sir Newton’s kennels. Sir Jasper voiced a desire to join the expedition, and Freddy laughed and said, “Of course—the more the merrier.”

His lordship leaned towards Jasper and said quietly, “What did you wish to speak to me about?”

“I am meeting with Tuthill this afternoon. Do you wish to join me?”

“Indeed. I just might do that,” his lordship said. “I mean to talk to him about keeping Freddy and Miss Moorely’s names out of this ugly business. Don’t want a target painted on their backs.”

Jasper, evidently in full agreement, winked and said, “It is a shame you don’t want me to have a go at stealing the beauty away from your nevvy. I think she likes me. What say you?”

“I would say, if I believed you, that you are a fool,” his lordship laughed. His purpose for his morning visit had been thwarted when Freddy and the others arrived. Nothing for it now but to forget about the little ‘heart to heart’ talk he had planned to have with her.

It was at this moment that the reverend strode up to Serena, bowed his head, and said, “I am loath to leave you. I would much prefer to join this expedition and lend it some propriety, for
your sake
, my dear, but I am afraid my obligations take me elsewhere.”

“Ah,” Serena said, looking amused, “don’t fret yourself, Eustace. You know I am more inclined for a bit of sport over the proprieties.”

“You have a lively mind, Serena … but perhaps less levity would serve you better,” he said, frowning.

“No, I cannot agree with that—humor is so much more fun than walking about staid and serious all the time. I hope the rest of your day goes well, Eustace,” she returned with a gentle but dismissive smile.

In spite of himself, his lordship applauded her reaction to Eustace, whom he took as a self-righteous hypocrite. He was glad to think she would not, could not make a match of it with him.

He might be annoyed that Freddy was determined to court her and that he had no idea if she would accept his nephew, but he found himself liking her at every turn. She was open and sweetly direct. He liked her composure, her self assurance, her graceful mannerisms, and
damn
, if he wasn’t careful, he might find himself falling under her spell! That would never do. He was here to extricate his nephew, not fall a victim.

As though Serena felt his eyes on her, she turned and gave him an arched look that nearly brought him to his knees. What was that, and what was wrong with him?

A look from her had the power to wipe his mind of all logic and replace it with nothing more than want. He wanted her. Bloody hell, how he wanted her.

Her dark eyes had glittered with amusement, and her body moved sensually when she turned away from the reverend. Everything about her made desire burn through his blood.

“Well then, gentlemen,” she said brightly. “I shall just go up and change into a riding habit and—”

“Not necessary,” his lordship found himself saying. Here was his chance.

“And why not?” she answered quizzically.

“I came in a hired open curricle in the hopes that you might ride out with me and enjoy some sun in relative comfort. Perhaps you will keep me company on the drive to the kennels while your … er … assembled group—men in waiting, shall we call them—serve as outriders?”

She laughed, and he found that he liked the sound more than he should. “Very well,” she answered. “I shall just go fetch my bonnet and Spencer and return momentarily.” She then went to her uncle and said something softly to him. The squire laughed and waved her off.

“Serena … wait,” Freddy said as she crossed the room. “Why don’t you change into your habit and ride. I know you would like that.”

“Nonsense,” his uncle returned with authority. “There is no need. Miss Moorely doesn’t have to go to the trouble of changing her clothes when she can ride at ease with me, Freddy, and it will give us a chance to get to know one another.”

Serena looked directly into his eyes, and for a moment, time and thought were suspended. He felt as though he had to shake himself free of the dangerous tentacles weaving themselves around him. Everything about her was like magic. What was wrong with him? He had not ever been so distracted by a woman.

He watched as Warren walked with her towards the hallway and his lordship was hit with a charge of jealousy that sent a wave of irritation through him. Madness …
this was
madness!

* * *

Serena knew in that one moment, when their gazes locked, what it was she was experiencing. She had inexplicably, and completely, fallen in love! La, but this could break her heart. She knew it and could do nothing about it. This huge man, this sophisticated, wildly masculine man looked at her, and something happened to her mind and body. Her body? She felt it twitch when he gazed her way. Her mind did much the same.

He, no doubt, thought little more of her than he did any other woman. He certainly must be chased by every debutante in London. He was the catch of a lifetime and must have beautiful women forever flirting with him. Who was she but a country miss with absolutely nothing to offer … but love.

Why should he even look at her twice? He probably would not have done so had not Freddy put him to the trouble of coming to the New Forest to fetch him to school. Oh, but she was headed for a great deal of hurting.

How had this happened? She could not say when or how she had actually fallen, only that she had. Perhaps it had been from the first moment she had seen him? She scarcely knew Lord Daniel Pendleton at all—his true self was still a mystery—yet she had this absurd need to be with him every minute of the day. He certainly filled her dreams and her imagination.

She had to force herself to stand apart from him and talk to the others. She should run and never look back, yet her heart was frozen in place and beating out his name.

Warren was at her side suddenly, and he touched her elbow and brought her back to her surroundings. With a fleeting smile she walked towards the hallway door and stiffened when he bent and whispered in her ear, “You have us all dancing, much like puppets, my sweet love. Which one will you choose?”

Serena restrained her sudden flash of temper. She gave him an amused look and said, “Why, Warren … have you not realized? I mean to have you all.”

She turned and hurried out, but she heard him chuckling at her back as he said, “You are the exception to every rule, my dear.”

She couldn’t think about Warren, or Eustace, or Freddy, or anyone other than his lordship. And his lordship? Well, he thought her a heartless wench determined to seduce a youth to marriage. Outrageous. Where did he get such a notion of her? She sighed because even at that moment she could hear him in her head. Her head? It seemed to belong to Daniel Pendleton. His voice, so very seductive, always full with an undercurrent that sent shivers through her. She had this absurd need to hear him speak on and on. She had a wanton desire to touch him … run her hands over those muscular thighs …
oh, what
was she thinking!
She couldn’t stop herself because his image stalked her thoughts. She wanted to just close her eyes and dream of him—go to a place where he and she were one.

This thought almost made her gasp out loud. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t some ‘bit of muslin’ determined to throw moral convention to the winds—was she? She was a level-headed, clear-sighted woman who understood which rules she could break and which she could not.

She knew better than to give her heart
and body
to a man who would be gone in a few days …
didn’t she
? No, apparently she did not, because she had given him her heart without realizing it, and now all she could think of was giving him her body. She wanted his arms around her. She could only imagine what it would be like to satisfy the yearning he had built up in her.