His Perfect Bride(23)

"If that is truly how you feel about her, then you have secured my  help," she pronounced, her face brightening. "I'll befriend her and  slowly encourage her to accept you."

Although he had no desire for his sister to learn of his deception, he  would need someone he could trust to be in Brianna's confidence. For the  first time since seeing Brianna in the drawing room, hope welled up  from within.

"I believe it sounds like we have a plan," Richard said with a slow smile.





Chapter 8



Brianna lifted another forkful of food to her mouth, placed it on her  tongue, and forced herself to chew. She had no idea how it tasted as her  stomach rolled in too much turmoil to notice. She had hoped to avoid  the ordeal of dinner, but her mother insisted she be present. Luckily,  she had been seated between her mother and Jillian, so she was not  prevailed upon to speak much. Still, she could not rid herself of  Richard's gaze.

Trying to ignore him proved difficult and expended a great effort, so  she gave up. As long as she could avoid making eye contact, she decided  not to deny herself the sight of him. Knowing he was a marquis had not  changed her desire for him. Tonight, sitting at the head of the table in  his dinner attire, he certainly appeared to be comfortable with the  part of a lord. The adoration she'd noticed on the other ladies' faces  only made him seem more powerful.

She knew he was the same Richard, but he was completely different from  the man with whom she shared a bed. The memory of what they had done  brought a blush to her cheeks, forcing her to put her head down to hide  it. No longer having the desire to keep up the façade of eating, she  placed her fork on the plate.

"Are you feeling better, Brianna?" Jillian asked with a touch of  concern. "You seem to have more color than you did earlier today."

"Not exactly, but I shall be fine. Did you enjoy your stroll with Lord  Stonemede?" Brianna inquired, anxious to know how Richard had reacted  when he saw Jillian waiting for him.



"I did, very much. I discovered we have common interests. It appears as though we both share a love of plants."

"That is wonderful. I'm glad to hear you had a pleasant time." Brianna  took great effort to contain the unexpected jealousy Jillian's words  invoked.

"Are you certain you have no interest in him? Even if he didn't have  such a high title, I believe my head still would have been turned by  him."

Brianna could not explain to her friend exactly how much she wished he  didn't hold that title. She looked at Richard while attempting to form  her response. The thought of never seeing him again distressed her, but  she would move on. She had to. Her eyes slid to his mother, who still  carried out the duties of the marchioness, and her resolve firmed. That  would not be her.         

     



 

"I'm certain," Brianna replied while her eyes strayed back to Richard. "He is quite a man, but not for me."

"I'm glad to hear that." Jillian's smile lit her eyes.

As dinner progressed, Brianna more than once caught Elizabeth Carrack's  eyes upon her. The girl appeared amused, and Brianna wondered if Richard  spoke to his sister about her. Dismissing the thought, she decided  secrecy suited his nature better, but Elizabeth certainly had some  interest in her.

When Lady Stonemede called for the ladies to withdraw, Brianna's body  sagged in relief to escape from putting up pretenses. Unfortunately,  Richard decided to forgo his port in preference to joining the ladies in  the drawing room. After using the afternoon to plan out her next steps,  she felt more prepared to speak to him civilly, if the situation called  for it. However, her preparations didn't reduce her apprehension at the  notion.

Telling herself he no longer mattered to her helped to minimally ease  her anxiety. She still had her plan and being a ruined woman would not  impact her marriage prospects, as her husband would not have a need for  heirs. The details of how to explain her experience to her future  husband still escaped her, but she imagined she would come up with  something before that time.



Hoping to gain several minutes to prepare herself further, she went to  stand beside the nearest lady as everyone followed Lady Stonemede to the  drawing room. She would have preferred Jillian, but she knew Sarah  would achieve the results she wanted much quicker than her friend.

Sarah was developing an interest in Mr. Gregory. However, the look in  Sarah's eye had made it clear Richard held her first choice. Although  the thought of pairing Sarah with Richard was distressing, Brianna  needed a distraction, and her desperation won out.

"Are you enjoying yourself this evening?" Brianna inquired while smiling.

"Certainly, for Stonemede's hospitality is superb. What about you?"

"Yes. I only wish someone would start a game of whist," Brianna complained, thankful her voice cooperated.

"If you wish to play, why do you not start one?" Sarah tilted her head  questioningly. "I imagine you should be able to find three willing  players."

"I would, but I don't have a mind for the game. However, I enjoy  watching. I have heard Lord Stonemede is quite skilled, and I hoped to  observe a game of which he was a participant."

"Well, that being the case, I may be able to help you. I do enjoy a good  game of whist," Sarah confessed, straightening her dress and pushing  out her chest. "If you would excuse me, I shall see if he is amenable."

"Thank you." Watching Sarah approach Richard, Brianna felt real  gratitude. Knowing he would have no option but to accept, Brianna could  not contain her smug smile.

The game set up with Richard partnering Sarah against Jillian and her  mother, while the other ladies were quietly conversing off to one side  of the room. Brianna sat down on the sofa and leaned back. She relaxed,  pleased to be excluded from the others.



As the game progressed, Brianna found herself impressed with the level  of precision with which Richard handled his cards. Sarah was skilled as  well, but her performance paled in comparison to her partner's. It was  clear they would be the victors of the game, and Brianna soon lost  interest in the match.

Glancing around, she noticed the game had caught the attention of all  the occupants in the room except one. Elizabeth once again gave her an  odd look, increasing Brianna's estimation that the girl wanted something  from her. She sighed when Elizabeth started toward her.

"May I join you?" Elizabeth asked. Brianna nodded, then waited while the  girl sat down. "Our introduction was very brief. I'm Elizabeth  Carrack."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance again. I'm Brianna Denton."

"I'm sorry for being so forward, but you look as bored as I feel. I  thought perhaps together we could think of something entertaining to  discuss."

Brianna's eyes widened, taken aback by Elizabeth's bluntness, for it was  not a behavior she would associate with Richard's family. Embarrassed,  she blushed at the thought of being so transparent.

"Forgive me, I don't mean to appear uninterested in the evening."  Brianna attempted an agreeable smile. "I'm not bored, merely lost in  thought."

"Oh, again I'm sorry. I'm bored and thought I had found a kindred soul."

"Why are you not enjoying yourself? I understood you and your mother were anxious for guests during your period of mourning."



"You don't truly believe the purpose of this weekend was for my benefit,  do you?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "The entire event was  orchestrated for you and the other ladies to capture my brother's  attention."         

     



 

"I was not informed of that," Brianna retorted, hoping Elizabeth didn't  believe she was only here to obtain Richard's attention, although it was  certainly her mother's goal.

"If this had been arranged for me, there would be gentlemen invited,  scores of them. I would happily take my time conversing and flirting  with them all, as I would if I were in London."

"I have found the London Season to not be as enjoyable as you would  think," Brianna declared, knowing Elizabeth had been denied  participating in this Season due to her father's passing. She could  sympathize with the girl, as she knew how she would feel if their  situations reversed. "Regardless, you will have an opportunity to travel  to London and enjoy the Season sooner than you realize."

"Do you truly think so? Mother wants to endure an entire year of mourning, but I don't believe I'll be able to stand it."

"The time may seem to pass slowly, but I firmly believe everything will work out for the best."

"I have a wonderful idea!" Elizabeth exclaimed, becoming more animated.  "I could return to London with you. I'm very easy to live with, and I  don't require much."

Shocked, Brianna stared blankly at her. She could not understand how  Elizabeth could possibly be so desperate to take part in a Season that  she would make such a request of a complete stranger.