same waters. “Her admirers flock to the Suttons’ stoop with all the eagerness of smitten swains, each vying for the honor of being the one Adriana will eventually choose, but, as yet, their pleas have been for naught.” This time Samantha became the recipient of a menacing glower, but she casually shrugged away her friend’s intimidation, deeming herself totally innocent of any wrongdoing. “Well, it’s the truth, and you know it.”
In spite of the indignant little snort that came from Adriana, which seemed to suggest the contrary, Colton realized his sister had done her best to put him in his place. Even to him, his smile seemed lame. “I can see why bachelors are anxious to win the lady for themselves. She’s truly a beauty, the finest I’ve ever seen.”
Felicity took exception to his declaration. When her own hair glistened like pale gold in the sun and her eyes took their color from the very skies, why would a man of great renown and evidently extensive experience prefer the dark-eyed, dark-haired looks of a peevish young woman?
Adriana didn’t necessarily appreciate the fact that she was being discussed as if she were some unusual
artifact a continent away. She faced Colton, managing a trace of a smile. “I’m afraid your sister has been inclined to exaggerate over the number of callers vying for my attention, my lord. You’ll learn after a time that Samantha can go on a bit long over nothing in particular whenever she wants to make a point.”
Percy’s muted chortle affirmed in Adriana’s mind that he had already discovered that truth about his wife.
In immediate response, Samantha settled her arms akimbo and gave them both an exasperated look, evoking more chuckles, this time from the pair.
Allowing Percy the privilege of dealing with his wife’s challenging questions, Adriana returned to the business at hand and served swift death to the notion that she hadn’t heard Colton’s earlier comments. “
You made some reference to my sisters a few moments ago, my lord, and I’d like to take this opportunity to verify that Jaclyn is living in London now and has two children, a boy and a girl. Melora’s wedding is swiftly approaching, at the end of this month, in fact, and although invitations have ceased to be necessary between our two families, I shall see that you receive one. Melora would certainly be disappointed if she didn’t get to see you before she and Sir Harold leave on their honeymoon. They’ll be making their home at his estate in Cornwall and won’t be returning to Wakefield until the latter part of October, at which time my parents will be giving a ball to celebrate the advent of the hunting season. I’m sure you recall how our fathers always enjoyed getting together with close acquaintances after the adjournment of Parliament to plan their hunts and talk of old times. Naturally their wives and daughters will be attending as well, and of course there’ll be lots of food and dancing, perhaps even a witty game or two for those who enjoy such things. It probably has been some time since you’ve indulged in similar diversions.”
Colton grinned down at her. “I’ve been away so long I’m afraid you’ll have to introduce me to your parents.”
A smile curved Adriana’s lips as she elevated a brow. “You have been gone a long time, my lord. I certainly didn’t know you.”
“For a moment there, I thought you were merely going to slap me for past offenses,” he quipped, his lips twitching with ill-suppressed humor. “In the future, I shall be more wary of the way you take your revenge.”
The intense heat infusing her cheeks made Adriana immediately thankful the miller’s granddaughter stepped forward to reclaim the marquess’s attention. One could almost imagine the blonde had become infatuated with the man . . . or perhaps his title.
Curious about his availability, Felicity Fairchild did indeed desire a moment of his time to appease her curiosity. “Will we
In spite of the indignant little snort that came from Adriana, which seemed to suggest the contrary, Colton realized his sister had done her best to put him in his place. Even to him, his smile seemed lame. “I can see why bachelors are anxious to win the lady for themselves. She’s truly a beauty, the finest I’ve ever seen.”
Felicity took exception to his declaration. When her own hair glistened like pale gold in the sun and her eyes took their color from the very skies, why would a man of great renown and evidently extensive experience prefer the dark-eyed, dark-haired looks of a peevish young woman?
Adriana didn’t necessarily appreciate the fact that she was being discussed as if she were some unusual
artifact a continent away. She faced Colton, managing a trace of a smile. “I’m afraid your sister has been inclined to exaggerate over the number of callers vying for my attention, my lord. You’ll learn after a time that Samantha can go on a bit long over nothing in particular whenever she wants to make a point.”
Percy’s muted chortle affirmed in Adriana’s mind that he had already discovered that truth about his wife.
In immediate response, Samantha settled her arms akimbo and gave them both an exasperated look, evoking more chuckles, this time from the pair.
Allowing Percy the privilege of dealing with his wife’s challenging questions, Adriana returned to the business at hand and served swift death to the notion that she hadn’t heard Colton’s earlier comments. “
You made some reference to my sisters a few moments ago, my lord, and I’d like to take this opportunity to verify that Jaclyn is living in London now and has two children, a boy and a girl. Melora’s wedding is swiftly approaching, at the end of this month, in fact, and although invitations have ceased to be necessary between our two families, I shall see that you receive one. Melora would certainly be disappointed if she didn’t get to see you before she and Sir Harold leave on their honeymoon. They’ll be making their home at his estate in Cornwall and won’t be returning to Wakefield until the latter part of October, at which time my parents will be giving a ball to celebrate the advent of the hunting season. I’m sure you recall how our fathers always enjoyed getting together with close acquaintances after the adjournment of Parliament to plan their hunts and talk of old times. Naturally their wives and daughters will be attending as well, and of course there’ll be lots of food and dancing, perhaps even a witty game or two for those who enjoy such things. It probably has been some time since you’ve indulged in similar diversions.”
Colton grinned down at her. “I’ve been away so long I’m afraid you’ll have to introduce me to your parents.”
A smile curved Adriana’s lips as she elevated a brow. “You have been gone a long time, my lord. I certainly didn’t know you.”
“For a moment there, I thought you were merely going to slap me for past offenses,” he quipped, his lips twitching with ill-suppressed humor. “In the future, I shall be more wary of the way you take your revenge.”
The intense heat infusing her cheeks made Adriana immediately thankful the miller’s granddaughter stepped forward to reclaim the marquess’s attention. One could almost imagine the blonde had become infatuated with the man . . . or perhaps his title.
Curious about his availability, Felicity Fairchild did indeed desire a moment of his time to appease her curiosity. “Will we
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