“Radcliffe! There you are!”

Evan turned to find his friend riding toward him with Evan’s horse at his side. Relief washed over him that he’d found a way to get home.

When Emberly caught up to him he gasped “Christ, man! What have you gotten yourself into?”

“It was nothing. Just saving a woman being followed by three scoundrels.”

“I say… And who was this fair lady?”

“Lady Winston.”

Emberly curved his thin lips into a devious smile.  “Tell me, did the lady show you some kindness and reward you with a sweet prize?”

“She did not, Emberly. For heaven’s sake! I was in no position to even consider such a thing. Albeit, the woman is lovely. What do you know of her?”

Evan mounted his horse and they began riding back to his home.

Emberly piped up. “She is a dowager baroness. Her husband, who was twenty years her senior, passed away without giving her a child. Mind you, she was his second wife. His son inherited everything.” He paused. “From what I hear she lives in an old cottage with two servants and that’s about it. Not much money to spare and from what I gather not much one for town life.”

Evan pondered Emberly’s words for the remainder of the ride in silence. He didn’t know what to make of the widow or why she was even walking alone. She should have had an escort, but he suspected she would have turned down the offer if asked.

Now his thoughts landed back on his sister. The foolish girl went and got herself ruined and now had to find a suitable husband and quickly. The sooner he got Annabelle out of his hair, the sonner he could work on his mother and her meddlesome ways.

“You’re awfully quiet Radcliffe, what are you up to?”

“I was thinking that with my mother arranging a ball for Annabelle, perhaps we could arrange some sort of hunting game for the gents earlier in the day.”

“I see. So, you are wanting to see for yourself the men’s skills in sportsmanship before you saddle your sister with them? How clever of you. I thank goodness I was an only child and I’m putting off the marriage mart for as long as possible. I don’t want a wife, if I can help it.”

Ha! Evan had said very much the same thing the day before his father died. It wasn’t until then that he’d even consider what his title meant, or the responsibilities that landed on his lap. What he would do to stay away from marriage for as long as possible.

The two made it home on time for dinner and the moment he stepped through the door his mother shrieked.

“Good heavens! What have you done to your face, young man? What sort of trouble have you gotten my son into, Emberly?”

His friend snorted. “None at all, my lady. It seems our good chap rescued a lady. We’re it not for Evan, the poor dear would have been accosted.”

Evan rolled his eyes. “Enough of this. Emberly will be staying with us for the night. See that an extra setting is placed and he’ll stay in the blue room.”

“This way, Emberly, and try not to stir any more trouble. Did you have to tell her about my rescuing Lady Winston? Christ. My mother is the last person who needs to know such information.”

“You think she will not find out. Your mother is profoundly clever. She’ll figure it out and when she does, I do not imagine she will be pleased.”

“Never you mind. It matters not what my mother says or thinks. She has other concerns to be preoccupied with. Now, come with me, I’m sure my valet will have a hell of a time trying to find something that will fit you for dinner.”

“Radcliffe, are you suggesting I’ve got a girlish figure?”

“I said nothing of the sort. Let us be on with this as I’m sure the ladies will hate having to wait on your account.”

When they reached the dining hall, his mother frowned. “I have no idea what we will do about that face of yours. Invitations went out for Thursday evening assembly and you look like you’ve been playing in dirt like a schoolboy.”

“And you did not think to consult with me on the date of this party. Well, I suppose my face will just have to do. Endure it, if you must.”

His sister gasped and Emberly choked back a laugh. Evan had to laugh, it was all he could muster.

“Pray tell, Mother, what activities do you have outlined for Thursday?”

“Afternoon tea with our guests, dinner, music, dancing, and if you wanted to do some gaming, I’d see no harm in doing so.”

“Be sure to give my valet the list of guests and I will add to the list, or remove who I see fit. I would be happy to entertain the gentlemen with some hunting and cards.”

“I was thinking of inviting a few ladies for your consideration.”

“Do not bother, nor meddle in my affairs. I will find my own wife when I am good and ready.”

“Would that be in the same manner you find trouble, dear son?”

He waved his mother off. If the woman had her way, she’d have married him off ages ago. Now that she was preoccupied with his sister, he’d be able to evade the subject matter for a time.

“Emberly, would you care for a game of billiards?”

“I would love one.”

The gents moved into the games room; a room that hadn’t been used much since his father’s departure into the afterlife. He’d come in here a time or two to escape his sister’s and mother’s whining, but preferred the solitude of the library to work in.

Evan poured brandy from the decanter, carefully tucked away in the corner of the room, and placed the glass next to Emberly on the table where he lined up the balls.

He leaned up against the table and closed his eyes, taking a sniff of the amber liquid. “Do you think it would be too forward if I called upon Lady Winston tomorrow? Just to ensure she is quite recovered from her ordeal?”

“Huh. You seem quite taken with the lady. Just what is it about her that has you so fascinated?”

“Nothing at all. The lady was in distress, that is my only reason for wanting an audience with her.”

“And I was born yesterday.”

Evan said nothing more to Emberly on the subject. He would call on the dashing Lady Winston and maybe see if she would entertain a drive around the park before she returned to the country.

He suspected he’d have to work a little harder than usual to gain some company of the female sort. Were it not for the fact he was already bored of the ballroom coquettes that doting mamas slung in his direction, he’d have gladly taken the easy route. Yet, inevitably, the cornered woman who turned out to be a widowed baroness would eventually return to the country. The woman was arguably the most intriguing creature ever. She was a curious nymph who belonged in London no more than American wealth seeking fortune and titles across the ocean. Lady Elizabeth Winston had certainly caught his attention and he wasn’t at all certain what it meant.

Sure, she was attractive, thoughtful enough to come into town to spend time with her cousin, and reckless. Yes; reckless was the word for her. Whatever possessed a woman to walk unaccompanied to Piccadilly and end up where she did? The next time he saw her he’d give a firm talk that there would be no more of such irresponsible judgment.

“Man! What has you so engrossed? You must tell me at once!”

Evan was pulled away from the moment to find Emberly before him.

“Nothing. It was nothing at all. Let us get this game over with.”

* * *

Eliza watched her cousin pour over the sketches the modiste had pulled out at her request.

“I’ve no idea what is the style these days, but I think a few gowns of a modern fashion for widows out of mourning would suffice,” Mary declared. “What do you think, Eliza?”

“I think you’ve completely lost your sanity. What possible use could I have for new gowns? Besides, what you have in mind would cost me a fortune I do not have.”

Her cousin waved her off. “You can thank my late husband if, and when, you meet him on the other side. He left me and our son quite provided for. Besides, I have no intention in staying alone for the rest of my years.”

Eliza tried to muffle a snort. “You honestly enjoyed your husband’s company, Mary?”

The modiste and her cousin raised a brow.

“There were moments when he was intolerable, and there were moments I didn’t mind him at all. He faired quite well in the marriage bed, and was faithful right to the very end. Tell me you at least got to enjoy that part of your marriage, Eliza?”

Heat seared her cheeks to an unbearable temperature. “You know, quite well, Alfred fell ill shortly after we were married.”

“Do you mean to say that there was only the wedding night?”

Eliza stepped back from the modiste and her cousin. Both stared, mouths agape.

“Do stop. There was more to our marriage than the bed.”

“You poor dear, Eliza. What you need is a lover,” Mary whispered. “And a wealthy one, too.”

Eliza shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Pray tell, where would I find one so accepting of my inexperience? Lovers are overrated. I’ve long accepted the fact that I will perish alone and childless. The good Lord must have some other plan for myself.”

Her cousin and the modiste snorted and started laughing. Mary then spoke out.

“Madam Genoise, let us prepare a new wardrobe for my cousin. Apparently, she needs the full town experience, and needs to see what she is missing out on.”

“Oui, madame. Me and my girls will have things ready in a few days. Follow me and I’ll have you choose the colors and fabrics from the back. They are new and most exquisite.”

Eliza could hardly believe that her cousin dared to defy her wishes. Yes, she knew she was lonely, and she was most certainly aware she didn’t have the most conventional marriage. For the three years they were married she’d been more nursemaid than wife.

She browsed the shop while her cousin and the dressmaker carried on in the back, until something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention in the window. The Earl of Chisholm was walking across the street with a friend. Both had left a shop and were headed toward their horses.

The earl was a handsome man with bright blue eyes, a masculine sculpted face framed with dark brown hair with the slightest of curls. He stood several inches taller than her, and possessed broad shoulders. His sheer size was sure enough to scare the smallest of men wanting to challenge him.

Warmth settled beneath the surface. She was clearly attracted to the man, yet it was apparent she was older than him; a fact that didn’t sit well with her. Besides, being a penniless widowed baroness didn’t exactly make her all that enticing even if she were to consider the marriage mart. Eliza sighed. Resignation that she would be alone for the rest of her days washed over her. A sense of hopelessness and disappointment soon followed.

Though she’d been elevated into society from her humble beginnings. The youngest of three daughters to an impoverished baron, being the second wife to a much older baron wasn’t so bad. The fact that Alfred had left her two thousand per year wasn’t so bad, but in an aging cottage that required constant upkeep. This last year had eaten through her monthly income. The cottage, while it was entailed to her, would leave her impoverished.

Perhaps staying with Mary wouldn’t be such a bad idea. She’d at least get to help her cousin with the expenses and still manage to save a bit of money for a holiday or two away.

“There you are!”

Her cousin squealed behind her at the window.

“I’ve picked out some fabulous covers and designs. They’ll be ready in a few days. After that, we’ll go for ices, attend the theater, and goodness knows what other distractions we’ll have.”

“For a woman who has been dwelling in the doldrums for quite some time, you appear quite invigorated. What exactly are you planning?”

Mary smiled.“We clearly need lovers, you in particular, and I shall endeavor to find you a most kind one.”

Her cousin’s senses had taken leave.

“Mary, please, there is no need to employ such drastic measures. I have long accepted a life of solitude is the path I should be on.”

“Rubbish! You are deserving of some pleasure and attention. I cannot believe your father passed you on to someone so old. And to think, not even your sisters have reached out to you since Alfred’s death. It’s just as well…you shall move in with Christian and I, and we in turn will ensure you are provided for.”

“What does your son have to say about this decision?”

“It was his idea. He will be leaving soon again with the regiment and would prefer I were not left alone.”

Of all the things she could say right now, she knew not how to escape this conversation beyond diverting the discussion onto tea and luncheon.

“Mary, we should return home. I’m feeling a wee bit tired and could use some tea.”

“Of course. Let us hire a hackney and we’ll be on our way.”

A quarter of an hour passed when they managed to wave one down.

When they arrived home, Eliza never expected in her wildest dreams the card that had been left for her. The earl had called on her. What sort of madness had dropped into her world?

“Who is the card from, Eliza?” Mary asked whilst giving her a quizzical brow.

“The Earl of Chisolm, apparently.”

Her cousin slipped in step with her as they entered the parlor. “Seems to me that you have caught someone’s particular interest.”

“Pish posh. I am certain he only wanted to confirm I was in fine spirits after that foolish mistake I made the other day.”

Foolish indeed. She should have never ventured off alone, much less strayed from the specific instructions she was given.