Page 11 of Entwined By Error (Madcaps of Mayfair #1)

An Exchange Most Intriguing

Daniel leaned against the grate. He’d taken time to change out of his ruined clothing into a fresh set of evening wear, and now, with a glass of port in his hand, he listened to his cousin drone on about his plans for a tour of the Continent.

Having done his own tour, Daniel wanted to offer advice, but it was difficult to share anything with his cousin as the man already had his mind set.

“You are not injured?” his father asked as he held out the decanter of port. He refilled Daniel’s glass and his own before setting it on the mantel.

Daniel shook his head. “Thankfully, no.”

The earl nodded, then looked to his nephew and waved the boy away. Once they were alone, his father leaned against the grate, but he didn’t face Daniel. Instead, he looked out at their guests and Southwood. “Now that you have spent a little time with Miss Astley, what do you think?”

Daniel raised his eyebrows, as he held back a laugh. When he realized his father was in earnest, he cleared his throat to consider his response. There was only one statement fitting enough for the moment. “She is far too good for Southwood.”

“Agreed.”

“Then why do you encourage the match?”

“Your brother needs no encouragement from me.” His father took a sip of port, looked over at Southwood, and then met Daniel’s gaze. “Your brother will ruin this courtship if he continues on in this manner.”

“Perhaps…although, you seemed eager to help in the matter. The argument she overheard at supper did little to help convince her of Southwood’s charms.”

The earl dipped his head. “You are right, yet his poor decisions constantly spur me to anger. Why can he not see the error of his ways?”

“Father.” Daniel took a drink and slowly lowered it as he considered how best to ask his question.

He sighed; there was no way to say what needed to be said without speaking plainly.

“Miss Astley believes herself in love. Are you prepared to have a daughter roaming the halls of Northcott Castle, a ghost of her former self, once she discovers the truth of Southwood’s affections? ”

“You mean his love for her dowry?”

“You well know he hasn’t any care for the girl.”

His father turned to him, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. “What is this, Daniel? Do you fancy the chit?”

“If you think destroying a vibrant young lady for her dowry is acceptable, then you are speaking to the wrong son.”

“That was not my question.”

Fighting with himself, Daniel met his father’s gaze.

The earl looked at him as though he could see directly into his soul, the knowledge of Daniel’s every thought displayed for all to see.

Yes, his thoughts had been focused upon Myra Astley since the moment he’d met her.

He didn’t even mind the fact that he’d nearly been flambéed along with the tipsy cake.

But she was the woman his brother intended to marry.

It was wrong of him to want her, and so he would do all within his power to fight the growing admiration.

The earl tapped the side of his glass. “An eloquent silence. Certainly, the local vicar would consider it a full admission of guilt.”

“I hardly know the girl.”

“Yet she has captured your admiration, and rather quickly, I dare say.”

Daniel turned toward the grate as he pulled at the knot in his cravat. “Admitting anything will do little good, given the situation.”

“Perhaps not.” The earl laughed as he walked away.

Daniel kept his attention on the empty grate as he slowly drank his port, the conversations of their guests blurring together in his mind until he had only his thoughts to wrestle with.

What was it about the honey-blonde, brown-eyed beauty that intrigued him? He couldn’t put a finger on it, but when she was near, the world seemed a little brighter for her presence.

When his father announced that they would join the women in the drawing room, Daniel placed his glass on a nearby table. He stepped out into the hall, and Southwood immediately took hold of his arm, dragging him away from the drawing room.

Sequestered in an alcove, Southwood whispered, “What did the earl have to say?”

“When?”

“Moments ago.”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. It would only prove to anger Southwood to know of his interest in Miss Astley. “He wished to know if I was injured, the flames and all.”

Southwood laughed. “She is a bit of a handful. I think I shall have to tame her once we are wed. I cannot very well have a countess running about the ton creating mayhem.”

“Might it be best for you to find a woman who is a bit more demure?”

“No,” Southwood said as he rubbed his neck. “Unless you can find me a demure woman who has eighty thousand pounds or more. If you can do that in the next two weeks, I shall end my courtship with Miss Astley and chase after this mystery woman with every bit of my soul.”

“I do not think you have a soul, Southwood.”

“Likely not,” he answered with a laugh as he left Daniel standing in the alcove.

Daniel decided not to join the rest of the party in the drawing room.

Watching his brother act the part of a refined gentleman was a bit more than he could handle for the evening.

Instead, he made his way to his bedchamber.

An early evening was a far better choice than spending more time than he had to with his brother.

* * *

By the following morning, Daniel had sufficiently prepared himself for the time he would spend with Miss Astley at the bazaar by convincing himself that the growing attraction was due to his concern for her well-being. He didn’t care for the callous way his brother treated people, especially women.

Taking the steps with a quickness propelled by an empty belly, Daniel slowed as he noticed his mother speaking with the butler and a footman.

Although his mother spoke with servants often, there was something different about the way they were whispering.

Before he could interrupt, Daniel noticed his mother pass a bag of coins to the footman.

With a nod, the footman backed away from the conversation and then rushed from the house, leaving through the front door. Daniel’s interest was piqued; servants never exited the front doors.

“Mother?” Daniel said as he alighted down the last few steps.

“Oh Daniel, I do hope you slept well.” She crossed the hall, turning her head so he could kiss her cheek.

“Indeed,” he said, backing away with mock suspicion. “Should I be alarmed by what I just witnessed?”

“I know not of what you speak.”

He held his arm out. “I do hope the revelation of your little conspiracy is served with tea and fairy cakes.”

His mother laughed as she took his arm and allowed him to escort her to the breakfast room. “Your imagination is quite entertaining. I do miss you when you hide away at Blackbriar Hall.”

“A man needs an estate of his own, Mama.”

“Yes, but only once he is wed. Until then, he should reside with his mother.”

Daniel laughed. “I was unaware of this expectation. Does not a man of my age deserve solitude near the sea?”

“Not at all.”

He led his mother to the sideboard, assisting her with a plate. When they were finally seated, he asked her once more, “What was that exchange I witnessed?”

“Household affairs. As a master of your own estate, you must realize there are things we do to keep everything running smoothly.”

“Certainly,” Daniel said as he gave his mother a skeptical look.

She was telling a falsehood; whatever business she had with the footman and butler, it wasn’t household affairs.

“One might think you asked that footman to chase Southwood down and drag him back before he can sully the family name once more.”

“Now that is a very astute suggestion. Mayhap I did just that.” His mother smiled at him, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes that made him all the warier. She was up to something.

“Warn me before anything happens, will you?”

“I know not of what you speak.”

“Of course not, Mama.”

As their guests entered the breakfast room, his mother smiled up at him. “I do hope you have a lovely day at the bazaar. At least one of my sons should enjoy the fruits of my labors.”

Daniel sighed. “I shall endeavor to do so, if only for your sake.”