Free Rhonda Woodward by White Rosesand Starlight Page B

good, Mr. Ralston does love to show them off,” and without giving the Marquis another look she sped tempo to catch up with her sister and the others.

Chapter Seven
    Three days later, Cortland found himself lounging in a wing chair in the south-facing drawing room in Ridgeton Abbey. He surveyed the scene before him, amusement and frustration vying for the upper hand in his emotions.
    In attendance were a befuddled-looking Pen, Vanessa, the ever-obliging Mrs. Langford and a fidgety-looking Sefton—Fairdale and Mr. Langford had made themselves scarce, curse the lucky devils.
    His Aunt Meredith and Cousin Eugenia completed the group. Cortland watched his aunt and cousin closely, regretting again that his uncle Octavius had been prevented from joining the house party due to pressing business with his tenants.
    His relations had arrived late in the day yesterday. When he helped them from the coach he could see by his aunt’s haggard expression and Eugenia’s sullen pout that it would be wiser to leave any discussions until they had rested.
    Before tea, he’d had a brief discussion with his aunt, who still looked weary and worried. “I don’t know, Fitzhugh, this may the worst idea you and my husband have had. Won’t it be easier for them to make plans to run off while they are under the same roof?”
    “I think you will find, Aunt Meredith, that it may well be easier for Eugenia to see him in his true light here. Besides, I have had a chat with Sefton—you can imagine how surprised he was to see me—and he has assured me that he has given up the notion of eloping with Eugenia. I am not naïve enough to think that he will give up completely, but now that his plans have been exposed he realizes that he must be circumspect while he regroups.”
    Or turns his attentions elsewhere,
he concluded cynically, thinking of a pair of fine gray eyes.
    “He is a very handsome young man,” Aunt Meredith went on, clenching her hands together. “And his family would certainly be a desirable connection. But his reputation! I can hardly believe that he is so deeply in debt. And I understand that is after the earl already paid off his first debts.”
    Cortland did not tell his aunt that owing a king’s ransom was not Sefton’s only shortcoming.
    “We shall keep an eye on them both and perhaps Eugenia will find other things to distract her from this absurd conviction that Sefton is the man for her.”
    Aunt Meredith smiled wanly. “Fitzhugh, do not think that the irony of the situation is lost on me. Your reputation, in its own way, is as shocking as Sefton’s. But I do so appreciate your help, you have no idea how horribly stressful this has all been.”
    “Well, dear Aunt, it takes a rake to know a rake,” he replied with a grin.
    Now, he watched Eugenia—who took after her father, blue-eyed and fair-haired—hardly able keep her eyes from Sefton, who looked anywhere but in her direction.
    Vanessa and Mrs. Langford were valiantly attempting to keep the conversation going by expressing their mutual delight in Parsley Hay.
    “It’s as if we have been settled here forever, Lady Meredith. And our neighbors have been most welcoming and congenial. Most particular favorites are Lord and Lady Buckleigh and their charming daughters.”
    “It will be very nice for Eugenia to meet young ladies her age,” Aunt Meredith said, her smile drawn.
    Lady Darley nodded enthusiastically before continuing. “Miss Marina Buckleigh is very near your age, dear Eugenia. One would never suspect she’d spent the whole of her life here; she is not the least rustic. She is quite tall and elegant, with the most delightful ease to her manners. I suspect the two of you will get along famously.”
    “I’m sure,” Eugenia mumbled, sending Sefton another speaking look.
    Sefton responded by running his fingers around his neckcloth and picking up his tea again.
    Cortland somehow managed to contain his laughter. This was the most dashed absurd thing he’d