The Untamed Earl(47)
“He said you’re interested in helping to marry off your sister because you want to become betrothed yourself.”
“That’s correct.” Alex nodded again and took another sip.
“He said you are in love with someone.”
Alex’s hand froze halfway to her lips for the third sip. “Ye-yes. That’s true.”
“And I don’t want to pry, dear, but…” The countess bit her lip.
“But?” Alex echoed.
Several seconds of silence passed while all four ladies stared at each other.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Lucy blurted out. “What Cass means to ask is, it’s Owen you’re in love with, isn’t it?”
Alex’s teacup clattered to the carpet.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Oh, my goodness. I’m so clumsy. Forgive me.” Alex immediately jumped up from her seat and fell to the floor, using the linen napkin from her lap to blot the tea from the countess’s rug.
“Don’t worry about that, dear,” Cass said, meeting Alex on the carpet to tug the napkin from her hand. “One of the servants will tend to it later. My apologies for Lucy’s startling you.” She gave Lucy a condemning glare. Lucy merely shrugged.
Denied her napkin, Alex reluctantly moved back into her seat and bit her lip. “Lucy didn’t startle me. It’s just that…”
“It’s true,” Lucy said, a triumphant grin on her face. “Isn’t it?”
Jane shook her head. “Lucy, leave the poor girl alone. Let her speak.”
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest. “Very well, but I already know I’m right.”
Alex pressed a hand against her belly to calm her rioting nerves. She met Cass’s kind gaze. “Did … did Owen say that? That I’m in love with him?”
“Of course not, dear. That was entirely my guess. Call it female instinct. I don’t think Owen has a clue, though I daresay he’s a bit jealous of your beau.” Cass gave Alex a conspiratorial smile.
Alex hung her head. “I don’t have a beau.” At least the sick feeling had left her stomach as soon as Cass assured her that Owen had no idea.
“Aha!” Lucy pointed a finger in the air. “I’m right, then, aren’t I?”
“Is Lucy right, Alexandra?” Jane asked with a sigh. “And let me assure you that I hope she’s not. Not for Owen’s sake, mind you, but so that she won’t be so smug in the future.”
Lucy rolled her eyes at her friend. Alex glanced at Lucy, who did, indeed, look smug. “First of all, please call me Alex. I’ve quite grown used to it of late.”
“Owen calls her Alex,” Cass announced to her friends.
The three exchanged knowing nods.
“And secondly, it is true.” Alex leaned over her lap and buried her head in her hands.
“I’m so glad!” Cass exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Alex glanced up. Had she heard the countess correctly? “You’re glad?”
“Yes, ever so glad.” Cass’s pretty face was wreathed with a bright smile.
“May I ask why?” Alex replied, blinking.
“Because I am convinced my brother has feelings for you. Strong ones.”
Alex’s eyes widened. Strong feelings? For her? Were they speaking of the same man? “But you must know that my father and your father have already been discussing the marriage contract between Owen and my sister.”
“Yes. I know.” Cass’s smile didn’t falter.
“Then may I ask how you think this is a good thing?” Alex continued.
Lucy laughed. “Oh, you’re adorable, Alex. You must not know the stories of how the three of us met our husbands.”
Alex shook her head. “No. I don’t.”
Lucy patted her coiffure. “Suffice it to say, they were unconventional and unexpected, all three. Well, mine was unexpected. Cass’s was accidental. And I’d say Janie’s was downright … unlikely. Wouldn’t you agree, Jane?”
Jane pursed her lips as if considering it for a moment. She pushed her spectacles up her nose. “Yes. Yes. I think that’s an apt word, ‘unlikely.’”
“What happened?” Alex couldn’t help her answering smile. The duchess’s joy was contagious.
“The tales are far too long to tell you now, dear,” Lucy replied. “But the fact is that they all happened entirely without our parents’ involvement or consent. We are unimpressed with the plans of parents. They are so very often wrong in matters of the heart. Don’t you agree?”
Alex sighed. “Try telling that to my father. He can be quite stubborn.”