Page 32 of A Trial of His Affections (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #2)
Chapter Thirty-Two
M iles patted Randolph on the head as he walked past and watched to see if Fin had the right of it. Perhaps it would not be so bad to have someone—or something looking over him. Would Randolph guide him better than Freddie had?
His stomach twisted painfully, but there was a resolve within him he could not ignore.
He would fix this for Grace.
Perhaps not to his liking, but it wasn’t about him—and perhaps that is where his problem had begun. He’d not understood that before. He needed to think about Grace.
He moved into the private meeting room between the billiard room and the sitting room by the gallery. It would provide him with at least some privacy that would not be available in the card rooms on the lower level.
He stepped inside and paused. Two other groups occupied the room, one in the corner and the other in front of the fire.
Miles moved to claim the corner opposite the one already occupied. He sat down to wait. Flicking open his pocket watch, he checked the time.
Ten more minutes
He bounced his thumbs off the arms of the chairs. Perhaps he should not have come so early. He’d not anticipated the agony of waiting.
He slouched down in his seat and laid his head back. Perhaps he could rest for a moment. He’d slept ill of late. He tried to push all thoughts from his mind, creating a black void.
The rustle of fabric against fabric sounded, and Miles cracked open an eye. A stranger wouldn’t come to claim a seat next to him, surely.
But it was no stranger. It was one of the men he’d been waiting for. Stanhope. Now, if Fin would only arrive, they could begin their discussion.
Miles straightened, suddenly wide awake. “Stanhope, you’re early.” He cleared his throat. “Not that I’m unhappy with the prospect.”
Stanhope grinned. “I’ll confess. When I received your missive, I found myself rather excited. I’ve always wanted to see inside this place. After hearing Weymouth’s description, I was quite envious of him.” He raised his brows. “You could not keep me from coming to meet you.”
“I’m surprised you wished to see it after you spoke to Freddie. It did not impress him.” Miles smiled. Under other circumstances, he’d likely have laughed. But he was not in much of a laughing mood. “And how do you find you like it?”
Stanhope’s eyes widened. “It’s fantastic. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen.” His voice was full of awe.
Miles allowed a chuckle to sound. “I can’t disagree with you there.”
Stanhope settled back into his seat, his eyes flitting around the room as if in search of the next wonder. A servant appeared at his side. “May I fetch you something from the kitchens, sir?”
Miles lifted his chin in acknowledgement. “A brandy for me, please.” He looked to Stanhope.
“I’ll have the same.”
“Please make it three. The gentleman not yet arrived will surely wish for one too.” Miles clasped his hands in his lap.
The servant bowed and left them to talk.
Stanhope rested his elbows on the arm of the chair and clasped his hands in front of him. “Apart from my excitement at seeing this place, I must say your letter rather confused me.” Miles opened his mouth, but Stanhope continued. “Not that I’m not also curious.” He eyed Miles shrewdly. “You mentioned you wished to speak with me concerning Miss Jenkins?”
Miles nodded. “Yes, and as soon as Fin arrives, I will tell you what I have in mind.”
“Then you may proceed.” Fin slid into the chair across from them and smiled.
“How was Randolph?” Miles could not help but ask.
Fin looked pensive. “I think we’ve come to an agreement. He will watch me discreetly and alert me to any danger. And I’ll pretend I do not notice him watching.”
Miles chuckled, but he didn’t really feel it. “A sound plan, I’m certain.”
Stanhope raised his brows. “Now that we’re all here, perhaps you will expound on your letter.”
“Yes,” Miles nodded. “You were both introduced to Miss Jenkins, but I do not believe you’ve had much interaction with her.” Miles sucked in a quiet breath. “Is that correct?”
Stanhope nodded. “It is. If someone has told you something to the contrary, I shall call them out.”
Miles shook his head. “No, no. It is nothing like that.” He reached up and tugged at his earlobe. “I hoped you,” he glanced at Fin, “both of you might be interested in a more formal introduction—that you might be open to the notion of spending more time with her. I believe once you come to know her, you’ll discover she is rather exceptional.”
Fin brought his clasped hands to his lips. “I had the distinct impression Miss Jenkins was spoken for—or something very near it,” he said.
Miles dropped his gaze. “You were misinformed.”
Stanhope narrowed his gaze at him. “I’d assumed you were pursuing a match with her.”
Miles’ face heated. He didn’t like that he’d been so obvious in his pursuit of Grace. But if he had, how had Grace not seen it? How had she not realized that he’d done it all because he loved her? He shook his head. Even if he’d shown that love in a rather unfortunate way.
“I was, but circumstances have changed, and I no longer think it a prudent match.” Miles drew his lips in. He need not go into particulars with Stanhope. All they needed to know was that Grace was available for them to pursue. “I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. And as you are some of the best men of my acquaintance, I thought to start with you.”
Stanhope nodded. “While I value your belief in me more than I can say, Yardley, I’m not certain I’m interested in pursuing Miss Jenkins. Or anyone, for that matter.”
Fin nodded. “And what makes you believe she’ll have affections for either of us?”
Miles shrugged. “I don’t know that she will. But I’m certain once you come to know her, you’ll see that she is perfect for you.” He released a heavy breath. “However, I only promised to make the introductions. What happens beyond that, I cannot make guarantees.”
Stanhope nodded. “You said you had hoped to pursue a match but have since changed your mind. Why is that?”
Miles’ head shook. “It was nothing lacking in Miss Jenkins, I can assure you. She is perfectly amiable.” He frowned. “I made some decisions that in hindsight proved unfortunate. Because of that, I cannot, in good conscience, continue my pursuit.”
Fin’s brows rose. Did he understand Miles’ meaning? Or was he inferring something else entirely?
Stanhope lifted a brow and leaned forward. “If you’ve found yourself in financial trouble, I’m certain there are those who would step in and help.” His brow creased. “Indeed, I’d be more than happy to extend you credit.”
Miles smiled but shook his head. “No, no. I appreciate your offer, but my finances are sound.”
Stanhope’s gaze intensified. “Then I’m at even more of a loss. Why are you giving up?”
Fin leveled his gaze at him. “Yes, Miles, why are you?”
Miles closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. “I caused Miss Jenkins hurt beyond forgiveness. Which may have been repairable had she learned of it from me, rather than someone else.”
Fin ran a hand across the back of his neck. “Lud, Miles. How did she find out?”
Miles shook his head. “Ironically, from Freddie.”
“No, he would not have told her.” Fin shook his head in defense.
“Not directly. But he told my sister how I felt about Lord Wetherby. And my sister, unwittingly, told Miss Jenkins.”
“Lud, Freddie,” Fin shook his head.
Miles pressed on. “The point is, gentlemen, there is no chance left for my happiness with her. But she might still find happiness with one of you. She deserves someone who will put her needs before their own.” Miles leaned forward.
“And you believe us to be that sort of man?” Fin looked at Miles with a touch of pride and appreciation in his gaze. “I’m honored, Miles.”
Miles nodded. “I know you to be.” He sucked in a breath. “Grace is like no other woman you’ll ever meet. She has a more than sufficient dowry. And while she may not come from a regal pedigree, she more than makes up for it in intelligence, charm, and kindness.”
Stanhope nodded. “I’ll not dispute with you there. The whole incident with her hair is proof enough of that. Many young ladies of higher breeding would have retreated to the country had the same thing happened to them.”
Miles slapped his thigh. “Yes, that is my point exactly. She is remarkable.”
“You make her out to be nearly perfect.” Fin looked skeptical.
Miles shook his head. “She’s not perfect. Indeed, at times she is too determined and too stubborn to veer from the path she has chosen. Even if she knows it is not the best path. But I believe those traits would make her a formidable countess or baroness.”
Stan pushed out his lips in thought. “You may be correct.” He crossed one knee over the other. “It would cause a bit of a stir among the ton , would it not?” That brought a smile to his face.
Miles frowned. Marrying Grace to cause a stir was not what he had in mind when he asked the men to meet with him.
“First and foremost, I want her happiness. Could you guarantee that?” Miles asked. He did not know what threats he could levy at the men. They both held much more power than Miles.
But threats could be offered once one of them was smitten with Grace—once it was too late for them to turn back. Because it was not a matter of if they fell in love with Grace, but when they did. “Do we have an understanding?” Miles prodded. “Will you allow me to make a proper introduction and allow yourselves the opportunity to come to know her?”
Stanhope shrugged. “If it is what you wish.”
Fin studied Miles closely for several moments before he nodded. “When do you propose we make this introduction?”
“At Lord Waltham’s ball. I will introduce you both, and then you will each claim two of her sets.”
Stan frowned. “I had not planned to attend Waltham’s ball. He and I are in a bit of a scuffle just now. I don’t want him to think I’m capitulating by sending my acceptance to his party.” His nose crinkled in distaste.
“Two sets?” Fin also balked. “Many will see two sets as an announcement.”
Miles growled. “Very well. What of Lady Fleetwood’s card party?”
Stanhope shrugged. “I have no quarrels with the Fleetwoods. I suppose I could be prevailed upon to go.”
“As can I,” Fin did not look happy about the prospect.
“Very good. I shall see you both there and make the introductions.” Miles rubbed his hands on his thighs. Not only was he to lose Grace but one of his best friends, too. No one could expect him to continue the friendship after one of them married the only woman he’d ever loved, could they?