knew what he intended. Sure a ready objection would follow, he folded the paper in half and offered it to Lexi before he bowed in a gracious gesture, the opportunity to retrieve the scrap of paper near her slipper never easier.
“Alexandra will read the list on her own, Julia, thank you.” He eyed Phineas and his friend collected his sister. There was a comfortable affability that came from knowing someone for so long, one communicated with nothing more than a glare or a raised brow. Thankfully, his friend marked the cue.
As the two drove away in their carriage, a definite ease whipped across the room akin to the summer sunlight that whispered through the terrace windows.
“I regret to admit it, but I am happy for the reprieve. Julia proves a fine friend, although she takes to a task with vigour. I feel as if I’ve joined the Royal Army.”
Alexandra leaned on the couch and eased her right slipper off. She made a little show of fixing her shoe and Devlin knew she’d seen the scrap of paper earlier and now attempted to retrieve it. He gave his pocket a protective pat. Ridiculous game. Good thing he’d recovered the list. Considering the ramifications of the attributes he’d assembled, having it read aloud would have proven disastrous. A better rein on his lust would be necessary if he intended to succeed at this guardianship business. Damn, he was caught in a damnable paradox. If he managed to see Lexi married off with expedience, the matter would be solved, but he would never see her again. If she lingered around the house, he held no doubt their odd attraction would intensify and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep it in grasp.
Reeston entered with tea and biscuits. With a nod, the butler brought the tray around and placed the sweets on the table before he poured Alexandra a cupful. As the servant left the room, Devlin brought his eyes to Lexi where she surveyed the eligible bachelor list with amused interest.
“I suppose we should have a go at it, then. Read me a name and I’ll tell you what I know, but I warn you I haven’t been out to mix with society in a very long time. Phin keeps me abreast of the best tidbits, but I doubt news of that kind is information you seek. Although I would know a codger, a drunkard or a wastrel.” He offered her one of his rare smiles.
She tossed him one of her own, complete with dimple.
Damn, she was delightful.
“Well, there are ten men on the list.” She paused and skimmed the paper top to bottom with those incredible blue eyes, before she turned her attention where he stood by the mantel. “Number one says Lord Spens and in the next column Julia’s notation states he has very nice eyes.”
“Her list has columns? The devil you say! Don’t waste time in consideration of Lord Spens. He is a slotted spoon. No sooner does something go in then it comes back out.”
“Oh, Devlin, that’s terrible.”
Her melodic laughter filled the study and an unfamiliar ache tightened his chest. Still she continued to laugh and he increased the jest. “He has nice eyes, I suppose, because there is nothing in his head behind them. A bit like looking through a window.”
She let out a delicate snort and Devlin decided he liked their game. “Tell me name number two. Let’s face the storm head on, so to speak.”
She did her best to remain serious, but amusement danced in her voice when she next read aloud. “Viscount Alexander. Heavens, now that may be a problem.”
“You think so, hmm?” He found it difficult not to smirk at the suggestion. “I take it you don’t relish becoming Lady Alexandra Alexander?”
“Not at all. Do you think she put his name on the list to give me a giggle? It sounds like a tongue twister.”
Devlin cleared his throat. He’d like to show her some tongue twisting. “I wouldn’t know about Julia’s sense of humour. I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced it. Let’s keep going. I’m enjoying this.” He picked up a golf club
“Alexandra will read the list on her own, Julia, thank you.” He eyed Phineas and his friend collected his sister. There was a comfortable affability that came from knowing someone for so long, one communicated with nothing more than a glare or a raised brow. Thankfully, his friend marked the cue.
As the two drove away in their carriage, a definite ease whipped across the room akin to the summer sunlight that whispered through the terrace windows.
“I regret to admit it, but I am happy for the reprieve. Julia proves a fine friend, although she takes to a task with vigour. I feel as if I’ve joined the Royal Army.”
Alexandra leaned on the couch and eased her right slipper off. She made a little show of fixing her shoe and Devlin knew she’d seen the scrap of paper earlier and now attempted to retrieve it. He gave his pocket a protective pat. Ridiculous game. Good thing he’d recovered the list. Considering the ramifications of the attributes he’d assembled, having it read aloud would have proven disastrous. A better rein on his lust would be necessary if he intended to succeed at this guardianship business. Damn, he was caught in a damnable paradox. If he managed to see Lexi married off with expedience, the matter would be solved, but he would never see her again. If she lingered around the house, he held no doubt their odd attraction would intensify and he didn’t know how much longer he could keep it in grasp.
Reeston entered with tea and biscuits. With a nod, the butler brought the tray around and placed the sweets on the table before he poured Alexandra a cupful. As the servant left the room, Devlin brought his eyes to Lexi where she surveyed the eligible bachelor list with amused interest.
“I suppose we should have a go at it, then. Read me a name and I’ll tell you what I know, but I warn you I haven’t been out to mix with society in a very long time. Phin keeps me abreast of the best tidbits, but I doubt news of that kind is information you seek. Although I would know a codger, a drunkard or a wastrel.” He offered her one of his rare smiles.
She tossed him one of her own, complete with dimple.
Damn, she was delightful.
“Well, there are ten men on the list.” She paused and skimmed the paper top to bottom with those incredible blue eyes, before she turned her attention where he stood by the mantel. “Number one says Lord Spens and in the next column Julia’s notation states he has very nice eyes.”
“Her list has columns? The devil you say! Don’t waste time in consideration of Lord Spens. He is a slotted spoon. No sooner does something go in then it comes back out.”
“Oh, Devlin, that’s terrible.”
Her melodic laughter filled the study and an unfamiliar ache tightened his chest. Still she continued to laugh and he increased the jest. “He has nice eyes, I suppose, because there is nothing in his head behind them. A bit like looking through a window.”
She let out a delicate snort and Devlin decided he liked their game. “Tell me name number two. Let’s face the storm head on, so to speak.”
She did her best to remain serious, but amusement danced in her voice when she next read aloud. “Viscount Alexander. Heavens, now that may be a problem.”
“You think so, hmm?” He found it difficult not to smirk at the suggestion. “I take it you don’t relish becoming Lady Alexandra Alexander?”
“Not at all. Do you think she put his name on the list to give me a giggle? It sounds like a tongue twister.”
Devlin cleared his throat. He’d like to show her some tongue twisting. “I wouldn’t know about Julia’s sense of humour. I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced it. Let’s keep going. I’m enjoying this.” He picked up a golf club
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