Page 22 of No Match for Love (Regency Love Stories)

Lucas was determined not to allow his mood to affect the family’s soiree. No matter how tightly wound the night before had left him, he would keep those feelings within. And he would keep his brain from recalling the image of Miss Faraday, her lovely face shadowed and her hand tending his shoulder.

That last one was proving annoyingly difficult, especially when coupled with the trust she’d shown by asking for his help with her inheritance.

Trust he’d not reciprocated. She’d found him out, and he did not know how to feel about that.

He’d kept his secrets for so long that they’d become a part of him.

It felt oddly intimate to share that part of himself.

Not to mention, it would mean trusting her not to share the information with others.

His mind had begun to wander again as it had all day, and he forced it back to the present. Mother walked the length of the drawing room and back, flexing her fingers and balling them up with anxious energy. Quietly, Father watched her from his seat beside Lucas.

“I will allow her two more circuits of the room, then I intend to intervene,” Father murmured good-humoredly.

Rather than intervening, Lucas wished to join her.

He flexed his own fingers. What would Miss Faraday say tonight?

She couldn’t expect him to have any information from Sperry after only a day, so would her thoughts turn to him and his secrets?

Would she press him for answers? Mention her thoughts to his family or the guests?

It was an added weight he did not wish to carry—after all, tonight was also the first night of entertainment since his father had requested that he view matrimony more seriously as well.

That was what he should be focused on. Not Miss Faraday.

“I wish she would not worry so,” Father continued, oblivious to Lucas’s inner turmoil.

“Entertaining always takes such a toll on her. She never wants anything to go amiss.” Father turned dancing eyes on Lucas, adding, “I have been tasked with telling Charlie that if he spills punch on a single guest, he will be without dessert for a week.”

“A week! That seems rather harsh.” Charlie had just entered the room, and he pulled a face at Father’s statement.

“I talked her down from a fortnight,” Father responded with a sly grin, standing and pulling Charlie in for a hug from the side.

Charlie returned the hug with a chuckle but asked, “How does she even know that I might have, hypothetically, spilled punch on a guest in the past?”

“Your mother knows everything,” Father returned with a proud look. Then he turned to include Lucas in his next comment. “Both of you be on your best behavior.”

Lucas nodded, but Charlie dropped into a chair and speared his brother with a look. “That means no hiding.”

“I do not intend to.”

Father did not retake his seat. “Well, that’s two more; time to stop her before she ruins her favorite carpet.” He strode off to intercept their mother.

“Is tonight to be a large party?” Charlie asked.

Lucas shook his head. “Only a few select families. Half a dozen, maybe.”

Charlie rubbed his hands together. “Wonderful. I do hate those large, stuffy parties. Something small is much better.”

“We are of the same mind.”

Charlie feigned shock, pressing his hand to his chest. “You and I? In agreement? Someone alert the papers; this must be put in print.”

Lucas shook his head but allowed a small chuckle. “You are ridiculous.”

“It is one of my many charms.”

“You have more than one?”

Charlie punched him in the shoulder. It would not have hurt except that it was the same shoulder he’d injured the night before.

Why was it always his shoulder?

The sound of the front door opening and the butler greeting the first of the guests had every member of the family turning to the door.

As was usual, Mother’s nerves were suddenly erased, and she straightened, a regal countenance upon her features.

Lucas and Charlie came to their feet, Lucas’s nerves winding even tighter.

At any moment, he would see Miss Faraday.

Mother swept forward as the Charletons entered.

The parents were near Mother and Father’s ages, and they had two sons—the eldest Charlie’s age and the next still in school and therefore not in attendance.

Charlie grinned openly as he greeted his close friend.

“Brilliant!” Lucas heard him mutter as he shook Charleton’s hand.

“This evening has started better than I might have imagined!”

Charleton grinned in return and followed Charlie to the side of the room, where drinks awaited them.

With his parents still engaged greeting Charleton’s parents, Lucas was left alone to watch the entrance of their next guests.

Lord Tarrington leaned heavily on a cane when he entered, his disgruntled gaze sweeping the room, but Miss Faraday’s eyes had landed on Lucas at the same moment that his had focused on her.

With only the slightest dip of her mouth, Lucas read her hesitancy. Not quite understanding his sudden need to put her at ease—as she was the very reason that he was far from it himself—he started forward.

“Lord Tarrington,” he said with a bow. “Thank you for joining us this evening.”

Lord Tarrington offered what might have been considered a bow accompanied by a stifled cough before unceremoniously following Charlie and his friend to the drinks.

Miss Faraday let out a small laugh. “He is constantly berating me about my social graces, but I’m beginning to think he must not own a mirror if he thinks me worse than him.

” Her laughter suddenly cut off, and she raised a hand to her mouth.

“Oh dear, I believe my inside thoughts just escaped without my notice.”

Hearing her lightheartedness somehow soothed some of his nerves. “Do not worry,” he said. “I will not tell anyone your secrets.” Secrets. That was a poor choice of words just now.

“That is relieving and immensely kind of you.” But she still seemed a bit hesitant.

He lowered his voice. “Were you found out last night?”

She shook her head. “No. Thankfully not.”

“Then what has you concerned?”

Her brows rose. “How can you tell I am concerned?”

Caught. This was why he ought to police his words more carefully. “Something in the way you’re holding yourself. And you seem on the edge of a frown.”

“Hmm. I did not realize I was so easily read. In truth... you have me concerned.”

“Me?” What had he done? How could he fix it?

She gave a little laugh, more just an expulsion of air. “I admit I do not allow many into my confidence... and I... I worry...” She trailed off, biting her lips together with a sidelong look at him.

He understood in an instant and took a step closer. “As I said before, I will not tell anyone your secrets.”

She searched his face then smiled. “Thank you. Truly.”

He nodded, trying to hide the fact that his heart rate had just picked up at the sight of her smile.

“Miss Faraday, I am so happy you were able to join us tonight.” Mother had arrived, and she took Miss Faraday warmly by the hands. Her voice dropped a pitch. “I do hope you will enjoy this evening better than the last in our home.”

Miss Faraday’s eyes crinkled at the sides. “I assure you, I hold no ill feelings. I was bound to embarrass myself in some way, with or without help.”

“Even still, we shall replace the memory with a good one tonight.” With that, Mother squeezed Miss Faraday’s hands, then moved on to the newest guests. At the same moment Charlie pushed himself between Lucas and Miss Faraday and bowed over her hand.

“Miss Faraday, might I introduce one of my friends? Lord Charleton.”

Lucas stepped back, allowing his brother to take over the conversation, though it caused an uncomfortable sensation in his midsection. But his brother was the one courting her, so it was natural that Lucas would move into the background.

Yet it currently felt entirely unnatural.

Soon, dinner was announced, and Lucas was placed on the opposite end of the table from Miss Faraday, who was conveniently seated just beside Charlie.

Mother’s matchmaking, to be sure. He managed to keep up conversation with those around him throughout the meal, and he was able to ascertain from his seat that Miss Faraday stayed safe from both Charlie’s drink and his gesturing hands.

He was nevertheless grateful to stand from the table at the end of the meal and enter the drawing room with the rest of the party.

“I had thought to have a bit of dancing, if everyone is amenable,” Mother announced. “Then we shall have tables placed for games and refreshment.”

The crowd of about two dozen persons made exclamations and noises of agreement.

Soon someone was nominated to provide music, and couples began to pair off.

Lucas was actually rather surprised to see Charlie claim Miss Faraday’s hand for the first dance.

That was more overt an action than he would have expected of his brother.

Lucas traced their movement up and down the room until he caught his mother observing him and averted his eyes, embarrassment sending warmth up his neck.

Dash it all, but the discomfited feeling would not cease. Why should he feel unsettled at all? Why could he not just be happy that his brother seemed to be falling into his mother’s matchmaking schemes and hopefully removing himself from the more puerile stage of his life?

Lucas clenched his hand, then released it, pacing to the opposite end of the room in search of something or someone to take his mind off it all.

“Lord Berkeley,” Lord Danby greeted Lucas.

Lucas nodded. “Lord Danby.”

The man, who was close in age to Lucas but shorter by nearly a head, looked beyond Lucas. “Who is that woman there, dancing with your brother?”

Apparently he was not escaping thoughts of Miss Faraday even on this side of the room. “That would be Miss Faraday,” he said, without even turning back to look.