Page 71 of Dukes for Dessert

But first, she had to achieve the impossible.

Dare wanted to crawl out of his skin. There were too many bloody people crammed into this drawing room, spacious as it might be. The extensive parkland visible from the wide windows beckoned him outside, where he could escape conversation. And that especially annoying companion whose overwrought charm made him want to leave the house party altogether.

But no. He’d come a great distance to find a wife. At least his potential bride wasn’t irritating. She was quiet and seemed as uncomfortable as he felt. This could very well be the perfect match.

He sipped his sherry, thinking it was time to excuse himself from the gathering, when Lady Cosford moved to the center of the room with her husband. Cosford tapped his glass to gain everyone’s attention.

A lovely floral scent tinged with orange swirled around him. Turning his head, he realized the vexing companion had moved to stand at his side. She smiled up at him, revealing even, white teeth. Her eyes, green like sage, sparkled as if seeing him were the most wonderful thing that had happened to her all day. Did she look at everyone like that? It was more than disarming. It was thoroughly disconcerting.

“Welcome, everyone,” Lord Cosford intoned before glancing at his wife, who stood at his side. “Lady Cosford has a charming activity for us to begin the festivities.”

She gave her husband a bright smile. Watching them together made Dare want to roll his eyes. He glanced toward the companion—what was her name?—to find her watching him with interest. He wished she’d go somewhere else.

“Thank you,” Lady Cosford said to her husband before addressing the room. “I thought it would be amusing to begin with introductions. We’ll go around the room and introduce ourselves, then share something interesting. For example, I would say I’m Lady Cosford and that I enjoy lemon rosemary ices. Let us form a circle around the room—quickly if we can, please.”

She bustled toward the doorway with her husband, effectively blocking an escape unless Dare wanted to throw himself through one of the windows. The idea held astonishing appeal. He didn’t want to stand in a circle, nor did he want to share a bloody thing.

“Let’s just move over here,” the companion said cheerily, effectively steering him into the infernal circle without even touching him. How did she do that?

“Lovely,” Lady Cosford said, again with another grating smile. “I’ve already demonstrated how we will go on, but I’ll offer another tidbit about myself to spark your enthusiasm.” She laughed, and Dare wished he was anywhere else, even a London ballroom. “I like to walk in the rain. Not a downpour, mind you, but a fine mist is quite lovely, especially in the autumn.” She looked over at her husband, and they seemed to share a…connection. A speechless moment in which something passed between them. Shockingly, Dare didn’t want to roll his eyes. He felt a slight but distinct envy.

Shaking the sensation away, he turned his mind to other matters, namely the renovations occurring at his house in London. He would travel there after this to assess the progress. He was so successful in his distraction that he failed to realize it was his turn.

The woman beside him—the companion of his potential betrothed—nudged him gently with her elbow. “Your turn,” she whispered.

Her touch shocked him. No one touched him. Ever. Except when his mother occasionally insisted on hugging him. And his lovers, whenever he decided to take one.

“You’re growling,” she murmured, drawing him to look at her.

Was he? Frowning, he looked at the expectant circle of people and wondered what in the devil he was doing there. “You all know who I am.” He hadn’t given any thought to what he might say, nor had he listened to anyone else. So he said the first thing that came to his mind. “I loathe house parties.”

The reactions were actually rather entertaining. Two ladies clapped their hands over their mouths, and several gentlemen smirked, while at least one nodded in agreement.

The woman beside him sucked in a breath. Now it was her turn.

“I am Mrs. Langton.” She spoke with a warmth and charm that made even Dare want to turn toward her. So he did. “I like to play chess, but I am quite terrible at it.” She shot a provoking look at Dare and added, “Also, I love house parties. Such a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and have a splendid time.”

All Dare could think was that he also enjoyed chess. However, he was an accomplished player, so he couldn’t challenge Mrs. Langton—he found himself wondering what her given name was—to a game.

Wait, he wanted to play chess with her and learn her name?

Only because she was beginning to interest him. He was a disagreeable person, and she didn’t seem vexed by him in the slightest. She was either very good at hiding her emotions, or she was the most pleasant person in England. Perhaps she was both. Whatever she was, he found her intriguing, and that was irritating.

The person next to her continued, and Dare forced himself to look away from Mrs. Langton. She was stunningly attractive, he realized. Petite with a rather intricate hairstyle, and she wore the very latest fashion. He only knew that because his mother enjoyed poring over plates and sharing her favorite styles with him when he visited her at the dower house. Because of this, he could see that Mrs. Langton was quite well turned out for a young lady’s companion. Perhaps there was more to her than met the eye.

Detecting the mischief lurking in her cheerful expression, he could believe that rather easily.

He spent the remainder of the interminable exercise contemplating the woman beside him. How had she come to be Lady Marina’s companion? Was she from a wealthy family? That would explain her clothing. Was she truly a missus, as in a widow, or had she adopted the title as part of her employment?

By the time Lord Cosford, who was thankfully the last person in the circle, spoke, Dare was thoroughly annoyed with himself for spending so much time thinking of Mrs. Langton. He would deal with her as she pertained to the woman he was considering as his wife. Speaking of…he’d entirely missed whatever she’d said.

“That was most informative,” Lady Cosford said. “Now, we shall have a respite before dinner is served at half six. Following dinner this evening, we’ll have dancing and games. Tomorrow we’ll picnic by the lake. It will be such fun!” She was nearly as ebullient as Mrs. Langton.

Dare glanced toward the latter woman to find her again studying him. Just as her touch had discomfited him, he felt off-balance under her regard.

“I play chess,” he blurted.

“Do you? Perhaps you can help me improve my game.”