Page 41 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Lady Darlington lifted a staying hand. “What’s past is past. Truly . In fact, I’ve been meaning to thank you for the lovely bouquet you sent the morning after our ball. I’ve hardly seen the likes of it.”

“It was a very fine arrangement,” Lord Darlington agreed. “And most thoughtful of you.”

“It was the least I could do,” Nash insisted.

The group fell silent momentarily.

“We shall not keep you longer.” Cecily was pleased with how the conversation had gone, so there was no need to tempt fate. “But we were both glad to have spoken with you. ”

“Thank you for having done so. Sincerely.” Lady Darlington’s smiling gaze shifted between Cecily and Nash. “And congratulations again on your betrothal. You do make a very handsome couple.”

“Thank you,” Cecily said, giving them a parting nod that mirrored their own.

When Lord and Lady Darlington were a fair distance away, Nash stepped near her. Very near her. The warmth of him was discernable through her gown, and a shiver coursed through her at his nearness. “That went far better than I could have hoped,” he whispered.

Cecily gave him a knowing look. She did not step away, reminding herself they were playing the part of a couple in love.

“See there? The benefits of our betrothal are not entirely one-sided. In fact”—Cecily’s gaze moved across the dozens of faces—“are there any young ladies here who have caught your fancy?”

Nash glanced at the guests, seeming to consider each young lady, and Cecily couldn’t help but feel slightly irked that he appeared to be making a true assessment. His eyes returned to hers. “There is one lady I have a particular interest in.”

Cecily discreetly squeezed her free hand into the fabric of her skirts, but in defiance of how his confirmation hurt, she straightened her spine.

It would be good for her to know his affections lay with another.

Perhaps then she might rid herself of the cursed hope that had recently niggled its way into the corner of her mind.

“And which lady is that?” Her question came out slightly clipped, and at the grin that formed on his mouth, she regretted it instantly.

“I’m not certain I wish to say.”

Tiresome man! Must he make everything into a game? “How am I to introduce you if you do not tell me who she is?”

His attention shifted back to the others. “Perhaps you should give me your assessment first. ”

She drew in a slow, undetectable breath and set her gaze forward again. “Lady Sarah is lovely.”

Again, Nash’s gaze followed hers, this time to a pretty young lady with strawberry blonde hair and a kind face. “But?”

Cecily supposed her tone had indicated there would be an exception. “She is not one for adventure, so India would not suit her.”

Nash’s smile grew as though Cecily had simply made up the information.

She absolutely had not. Lady Sarah may not have spoken about her disinclination toward adventure outright, but she had heard her mention her dislike of Gulliver’s Travels.

Of course, she had claimed it had to do with how outlandish it was and that it was too coarse for her tastes, but anyone inclined toward adventure would see the merit of the book.

Nash’s focus shifted to Miss Lancot, who was laughing and playfully swatting at her partner. “She seems a lively, adventurous sort.”

Cecily bristled at the idea. “Yes, but as she is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Lancot, she is to inherit a tolerable fortune and is thus set on marrying a peer.” Or at least her parents were set on her doing so.

Though with the way her gaze had fallen to Nash several times since their arrival, she might be more amenable to the idea of a match with him than Cecily cared to say.

Nash’s nod was slow, and his eyes flicked toward Cecily. “Which young lady, then, would make me a suitable wife?”

None of them!

The answer was so forceful that she nearly blurted it out. But instead, she pursed her lips together, hoping to appear as if she were contemplating his question.

“Mr. Markham.” The feminine voice was soft and … familiar. Lady Victoria came to stand before them. She gave a small dip of her chin toward Cecily. “Miss Bradshaw.”

Cecily and Nash both nodded their greetings.

“Lady Victoria,” Cecily said when Nash failed to offer a verbal response.

Though Cecily would not risk a glance, she was certain he was too stunned by her sudden appearance to speak.

Or perhaps it was her remarkable beauty that caused his tongue to be rendered useless.

“How good it is to see you again. Have you just arrived?”

“We arrived not long before you, but my parents and I were over speaking with the Halls for the last quarter of an hour.” So she had been present when Nash mentioned he had a particular interest in one of the young ladies in attendance.

She must have been who he was referring to.

Lady Victoria’s eyes flicked to Cecily’s arm, still placed on Nash’s.

“I have just learned the two of you are to be married?”

“We are,” Nash said, finally finding his voice. “Even with my extensive list of faults, Miss Bradshaw claims she can tolerate me enough to marry me.”

Lady Victoria gave an unconvincing smile. “Well, I am pleased for you both.”

“Thank you,” Nash said before Cecily could offer her gratitude. He glanced behind Lady Victoria. “Miss Bradshaw and I were thinking of playing a hand of cards, and it looks as though that group has just finished. Would you care to join us?”

Cecily’s heart sank at Nash’s blatant attempt with Lady Victoria, but she had told him she would help in his pursuit, and she should probably attempt to keep her word. “Yes, come play with us.”

Lady Victoria looked from Nash to Cecily, then back again. “If you are certain?”

Nash gestured to where the group was now standing. “Quite certain.”

As the three of them neared the table, Cecily noticed that Lord Harlow was among the previous group of players. He glanced at Cecily, and she offered a timid smile.

“Lord Harlow,” Nash said, pulling out one of the newly vacated chairs for Cecily and doing likewise for Lady Victoria. “Will you join us for a hand of whist? We need a fourth.”

Cecily stilled. Did Nash mean to return Cecily’s kindness in accompanying him to speak with Lady Darlington by making her suffer her own uncomfortable situation?

Lord Harlow hesitated, as though he too was attempting to decipher what Nash was about.

“Join us,” Nash said again, gesturing to the seat across from Lady Victoria. “With my current luck, I do not doubt it will be but a quick game.”

“Very well,” he said, hesitantly returning to his chair.

“You have met your partner, Lady Victoria, I presume?” Nash asked.

Lord Harlow offered her a warm smile. “Only briefly. At Lord and Lady Darlington’s ball. Though it is good to see you again, my lady.”

Under Lord Harlow’s focused attention, Lady Victoria’s cheeks pinked beautifully, and she gave a coy smile. “I had hoped we might find another opportunity to speak.”

Despite his bandaged hand, Nash shuffled the cards, his gaze downward, but not so entirely that Cecily missed his self-satisfied smile.

Instantly, Cecily realized what he was attempting.

He didn’t mean to further his acquaintance with Lady Victoria, nor distress Cecily by inviting Lord Harlow to join them.

He was playing the role of matchmaker. And by the looks of it, his efforts very well could pay off.

It was a wise move on his part. The vote at White’s had not yet taken place, and if Lord Harlow credited Nash with bringing him and Lady Victoria together, he might not cast a black ball for him.

But if it was true, it meant that the lady who had caught Nash’s fancy was someone else entirely.

For why would he give such an opportunity to a man who was his boyhood rival if he truly had his heart set upon Lady Victoria?

Cecily’s brow furrowed, and she quickly searched the faces in the room again, attempting to determine who the mysterious young lady could be, but then Nash lifted his gaze and her eyes caught on his.

One corner of his mouth quirked upward in an endearing half-smile that sent Cecily’s insides into a frenzied jumble.

He did not look away, and it was as though he was attempting to convey something to her.

She swallowed, refusing to fan the flame of hope within her.

She couldn’t possibly be the lady. Could she be?

What in heaven’s name was wrong with her?

Must she battle this same uncertainty every time Nash so much as looked in her direction?

Even if he had feelings for her, which she was still not convinced of, she would not marry.

Not anyone. Particularly not a man who would soon return to India.

And more particularly, not Nash Markham!

She released a quick breath, resolved. Again.

Cecily pulled the gloves from her hands, setting them across her lap, and reached out a hand toward Nash.

“Perhaps I should deal the cards.” She had no delusions that they had any chance at winning, what with Nash’s perceived state of luck, but she might as well try to make their defeat less embarrassing.

With an amused smile, Nash held out the deck of cards, but the moment their skin touched at the exchange, a shot of electricity moved up Cecily’s arm. She risked a cautious glance at Nash, who tossed her a knowing smile, as though he too had felt it.

And just like that, her resolve faltered. Yet again.