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Adrian still could not believe that Easton had agreed to have a house party.

He never would have thought the marquess would cave to his mother’s demands.

Not Easton… He’d been so adamant about not having any other guests in his home.

What could have changed? He stared at his friend.

The marquess seemed anxious. What made him so fidgety? What was he waiting for?

There was only one thing that Adrian wanted.

He hoped that he’d be able to spend more time with Miss Georgina.

For that reason he kept glancing in the direction from which he thought they would arrive.

It wasn’t too difficult to discern the general area considering where Havenwood Academy jutted against Easton Abbey’s border.

Staring would not make them appear any sooner though, no matter how much he wanted to keep his gaze riveted toward the location of the school.

“You look thrilled to be at this little soiree,” Amberwood drawled.

“Why did you agree to have a house party if you did not actually want guests in your home?” The duke’s statement brought Adrian out of his reverie.

He blinked several times. Amberwood had not been directing his statement at him, but at Easton.

He glanced at the marquess and frowned. The duke was correct in his observation.

Easton didn’t look happy at all, but Adrian didn’t think it was for the reasons Amberwood surmised.

“My mother was relentless,” he said in way of an explanation. Adrian narrowed his gaze. He didn’t believe it. Easton was hiding the truth from them—whatever that truth might be he couldn’t possibly decipher from a mere glance. He was curious though. “It was easier to agree.”

“A likely story,” Foxmoore observed. “But neither one of us believes it.” He grinned.

“Why did you really allow her to plan this?” He had never been the sort to let things go unsaid.

Adrian would gladly needle Easton until he spilled his true motivation.

There had to be one. He did not believe for one second that he would have readily agreed to this house party without having a damn good reason.

Easton’s mother did not have that much influence over him.

Adrian turned his gaze back to where he was staring.

He could do two things at once after all.

While it was entertaining to pester Easton, he also had other priorities.

Then, they appeared. The group he’d been longing for.

Well, not the entire group, but one lady in particular… Miss Georgina Williams.

Her golden-brown hair seemed to glow beneath the sun’s blinding rays.

It was almost as if the sun had decided to bathe her in its light and give her an ethereal appearance.

Like an angel sent from heaven. One far too good for the likes of him, but he was devilish enough not to care.

He wanted her and he’d always been far too selfish.

It didn’t escape his notice that Easton and Amberwood had ceased talking for a few brief moments.

All three of them had turned toward the ladies arriving with interest. He didn’t question it.

They were all besotted fools apparently.

Though he wasn’t certain either the marquess or the duke were ready to admit any such thing.

They would speak when they were ready. It wasn’t his place to force emotions to the surface.

He could barely manage to work through his own jumbled feelings.

He would never be good enough for her. But that would not prevent him from claiming her at the first opportunity.

“Believe what you will,” Declan said. Those words shook Adrian back to the present.

He’d been responding to him, but he’d forgotten that he had even spoken.

“If you’ll pardon me, I have some more guests to welcome.

” Adrian was a little jealous of the marquess.

He wanted to be the one to greet them—her—first. He gritted his teeth and bided his time.

Miss Georgina was there. He could wait until she came closer, and he knew she would.

She was as drawn to him as he was to her.

Easton ambled over to the group of newcomers.

Adrian kept his gaze on him as he spoke to the ladies.

He seemed to focus most of his attention on the chaperones.

He applauded his friend for his restraint.

Easton definitely had some interest in one of those students.

Otherwise, he would not have been so eager to greet them.

The marquess did not keenly greet guests like a host normally would. He hated social events.

After he was done with that reception, Easton made his way back to Adrian and Amberwood.

Both Adrian and the duke kept their attention on the marquess and the newly arrived guests.

As he studied the Havenwood ladies, he suddenly realized which girls his friends were interested in.

It should have been obvious, and perhaps he’d have come to this conclusion sooner if he hadn’t been so enamored with Miss Georgina.

Easton grinned as he strolled over to them. Adrian narrowed his gaze. The marquess had a plan and suddenly he was very intrigued. “How do you two feel about playing a game?” He’d been correct. Adrian held back a laugh. It wouldn’t do to appear too eager.

“Depends on the game,” Amberwood said. The duke would play. Especially as Easton would ensure that Lady Jaclyn also participated. Easton was no fool. He’d noticed the same thing that Adrian had. They all had an interest in Havenwood. For different reasons, but still the same motivations.

“I’m willing,” Foxmoore replied in an easy drawl.

He wanted to do far more than that, but this game Easton had in mind was a fine start.

“This party is too sedate for my tastes. We could use something to liven it up.” That last part was definitely true.

This soiree Easton’s mother had planned was far from entertaining, though Adrian had gladly attended for his own selfish purpose.

“Excellent,” Easton said. “We just need a few more willing participants.” He grinned. Adrian bet he knew who he had in mind too. “Follow me. We must retrieve a few materials from the house.”

They followed the marquess toward the house.

Adrian didn’t have any idea what game the marquess wished to play, but then again, he didn’t really care.

He wanted a reason to spend more time with Miss Georgina and Easton was going to give him the perfect opportunity to do that.

Though it would help if they had more information.

“What game did you have in mind?” Adrian finally asked. “Shouldn’t we have some idea so we can help you arrange it?”

“I must concur,” Amberwood agreed. “I still do not know if I wish to participate.”

Easton stopped and pinned him with a gaze. “You’ll play.”

“Will I?” The duke drew a brow up. “And why is that?”

Easton didn’t answer him. He kept walking and they trailed behind him, Adrian because he would definitely play whatever game he had in mind.

Not because the marquess ordered it though.

He wasn’t a blind puppy that did whatever the man asked.

Amberwood would play too for the same reasons.

They were friends, not sycophants who did whatever the marquess wished to gain his approval.

Once inside the house Easton found a servant and asked, “Where do we store the equipment for our lawn games?”

“I am not certain, my lord,” the servant replied. “I’ll inquire with the butler. He will have a better idea.” The servant tilted his head to the side. “Which equipment are you seeking? It might help us to locate them.”

“We need mallets and balls.” He frowned. “And some iron rings. I want to play lawn billiards with a few other guests. Once the equipment is found I’ll need some servants to help place the iron rings properly on the lawn as well.”

“Very well, my lord,” he said. “I’ll see to it straightaway.”

“Lawn billiards?” Amberwood asked. “Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought to play that particular game.”

“Then I trust you will go along with the game?” Easton said.

“Perhaps,” Amberwood said in a noncommittal tone.

“I am still playing,” Adrian replied. “Because unlike the duke, I know exactly what Easton hopes to achieve.”

“Do you now?” Easton said. His gaze darkened. “And what do you assume I want out of this game?”

“The same as I do,” Adrian said. “To alleviate your boredom.” He lifted his hand to stifle a yawn.

He didn’t say what he truly thought. He never played his hand in such an obvious fashion.

“Amberwood will play for the same reasons.” He wanted to be closer to Lady Jaclyn.

Not that the honorable Duke of Amberwood would ever admit to such a desire.

He wanted that particular lady. Adrian was not the fool many believed him to be.

His two friends knew he wasn’t, but he played the part so well even they forgot at times.

“All right,” the duke said with a sigh. “I’ll play.”

“Now that is settled,” Easton said. “Let’s get that equipment and set up this game.”

Adrian’s grin widened as he rose from the settee, sensing the weight of the challenge before him.

He could already picture the laughter and gentle competition that would fill the afternoon, though beneath the surface of the game, there would be an undercurrent of something far more complex.

Easton’s motivations regarding Lady Charlotte, Amberwood’s reticence, and his subtle desire for Lady Jaclyn, and Adrian’s own desire for Miss Georgina—all tangled together like the threads of a well-worn tapestry.

Amberwood, his demeanor still as carefully composed as ever, shot Easton a look, his brow furrowing ever so slightly, but he said nothing.

Adrian could practically hear the internal debate the duke was having.

Amberwood had always been a man of action, not of idle conversation or games.

But then again, what could be more idle than a game of lawn billiards?

Adrian grinned. The day was going to be far better than he had imagined, and he couldn’t wait to spend the afternoon pursuing his latest desire—Miss Georgina.