Free The Perfect Suitor (Bewildering Love Series) by L. A. Hilden Page A

stairs, she could hear her mother talking to Lord Bakersfield in the parlor. “I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long, my lord.” Eve smiled a greeting as she entered the cheerful room.
    Brandon stood up from the sofa, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “Not at all. I was having a pleasant conversation with your mother. You look exquisite. Shall we go?”
    “Yes, I think so.” Brandon led her outside while her mother watched from the doorway as they mounted the waiting horses.
    “Her name is Serenity,” Brandon said, indicating the gray mare. “My father named her that due to her disposition. I thought the two of you would get along well.”
    Eve looked at the sleek lines of the mare with the white star on its nose. Although she didn’t know much about horses, she could tell it was a fine mount. “She’s beautiful.” Eve patted the horse’s nose, and then Brandon helped her into the saddle. It felt odd to have a stranger’s hands around her waist. She learned that Brandon was stronger than he appeared. He dismissed the groom who waited with the horses and told the man to return in a couple of hours. He easily swung himself onto his own champion mount, and then they made their way to Hyde Park.
    They were greeted by many acquaintances, and after riding for an hour, Brandon helped Eve to the ground. She took his arm and they went to sit next to the Serpentine, beneath a large willow. The park was full of people, mostly members of the ton , but one could also observe lovers out for a stroll, mothers and governesses watching children play, and many people sitting alone reading and enjoying the nice weather. A slight breeze was in the air, gently stirring the leaves overhead. It was quite entertaining to watch the people going by with their fancy attire and their often too-curious looks. The branches of the willow swayed beside them, while street vendors could be heard hawking their wares. Children were laughing and running about. Yes, it was a very pleasant afternoon, Eve thought.
    After laying out a saddle blanket, Brandon dismissed himself for a moment. Eve watched as he approached a couple of the local vendors. He returned with a bouquet of wild flowers and two warm sweet rolls.
    “Your mother told me you are a lover of flowers.”
    “Yes, I am, and these are lovely. Thank you.” Eve examined the colorful blossoms and then laid them next to her. “It makes me wonder what else my mother told you.”
    Brandon laughed as he sat down next to her and handed her a roll. The smell of cinnamon wafted through the air and Eve sighed with contentment. An outing with Brandon had been a good idea.
    ***
    Paxton sat at his desk, grateful that the ledger he was going over was accurate. His last solicitor had not been an honest man, which is why he double-checked every expenditure that came across his desk. He swiveled his chair around to gaze outside the study window overlooking the park. The sight before him surprised him so much that he shut his eyes and reopened them to make sure he wasn’t imagining things. No, Lady Evelyn was still there, sitting under a tree and laughing at something her companion was saying as she pulled a piece of sticky dough from a sweet roll. Her green riding habit clung to her closely, revealing the outline of her sensuous curves, which sent a jolt of lust roaring through his body. She licked delicately at her sticky fingers, and he immediately grew hard. She laughed again as she took the handkerchief the young man offered her. Why was this woman suddenly everywhere he turned? And who was she with? It wasn’t the count, but then he had heard through various circles that men lined up at her house on a daily basis. Lady Evelyn Manning was taking London by storm and making half the men in London mad for her.
    Does she know she’s sitting in front of my house? Should I enlighten her?
    She seemed to be enjoying herself, and he noted how the young man’s eyes never left her face. It was