The Untamed Earl(77)
“I wish you well with your pursuit of Monroe. I only hope I’ve not done more harm than good there.”
Alex didn’t want to talk about Owen. “Thank you. I can only hope for you to find your true love someday.”
Lord Berkeley bowed at the waist. “It was my pleasure, Lady Alexandra. I, too, hope to find my true love one day. I’ve had the devil’s own luck so far.” He smiled at her. “I’ve decided to give up for the time being and retreat to my Scottish hunting lodge, where I won’t have to think about debutantes and dancing and being charming for a bit. I’m greatly looking forward to time away from London and all its social obligations.”
Alex laughed. “I don’t blame you.” At the moment, she, too, wanted to get away from London and all its social obligations. Hence, the trip to Bath. Society, it seemed, had followed her here. “But you’re always charming, my lord. I don’t doubt for a minute you’ll find someone quite special. It doesn’t matter where you may be residing.”
He grinned at her and bowed again. “Until we meet again.” He turned away to go back inside, but Alex stopped him.
Confound it. She couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Lord Berkeley?”
“Yes?”
“Did you know Owen would be in attendance here tonight?”
Lord Berkeley shook his head. “I didn’t. And something tells me the time for trying to make him jealous is over.”
She glanced away. “Long over.”
“For what it’s worth, he apologized for punching me.”
The hint of a smile touched her lips. “Did you accept his apology?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer again. “I’ll let you in on a secret: The man may be a bit of a hothead from time to time, but I think he’s a decent chap, deep down. And for what it’s worth, I think he truly loves you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
After Lord Berkley left her in the gardens, Alex didn’t have much enthusiasm left to stay at the party. She was unhappy with her friends for tricking her, she was angry with Owen for appearing without warning, and she was sad to say good-bye to the one good friend she treasured, Lord Berkeley. Despite his insistence that Owen loved her, she couldn’t be certain of that at all. The man had never said as much and she had no other reason to believe it, other than her remnant of wishful thinking. Besides, Lord Berkeley was the type who has obviously wanted to make her feel better. Alex lifted her skirts and turned toward the door. It was time to go to bed. She would just go back inside, find Jane, her hostess, and say good night.
Alex was slowly walking up the terrace steps when the door opened and Lucy Hunt came hurtling out. Lucy plunked her hands on her hips. “Don’t tell me you’re retiring already.” The duchess sounded displeased.
Alex nodded. “Yes, I’m quite tired, and I—” Why was she explaining herself to Lucy Hunt, at any rate? She was angry with the woman. “Your Grace, I beg your pardon, but I’m not particularly pleased with you at the moment and I wish to go to bed, so if you’ll just—”
“You mean you want to hide from Owen,” Lucy said.
Alex scowled at her. “No. Certainly not. I—”
Lucy wrapped her arm through Alex’s and led her back down the steps and into the gardens. “You’re angry with me for orchestrating this event and inviting Owen, but if you’d only see it’s for your own good, you’d be ever so much happier sooner.” Lucy released her arm and smiled at Alex. “And yes, you are hiding from Owen. Don’t try to deny it. I was in a great deal of denial and confusion at this very house not long ago. I know denial when I see it.”
Alex narrowed her eyes on the duchess. “What do you mean?”
“Derek punched a tree, then climbed one—a different tree, that is—this one right here, actually.” She flourished her hand in front of the huge oak that rested in the center of the lawn. “Look up there. That large branch nearly meets the window of that bedchamber. I happened to be staying there at the time, and, well, Derek climbed right up.”
Alex supposed she should be shocked at that bit of news, but from what she knew of the duchess, it sounded in keeping with her exploits. “That’s my bedchamber,” Alex whispered.
“Oh, that’s interesting,” Lucy said, a sly smile on her face.
“But you didn’t finish what you were saying. Derek climbing up the tree confused you?”
“No. The tree climbing didn’t confuse me half so much as the fact that after I allowed him into my bedchamber to see to his bloody fist and ensure such an esteemed war hero didn’t fall to his death, he kissed me.”