The local gentry and Town fashionable had turned out in full force for the gathering. Judging by the calculating gazes on the faces of the participants, Caroline had a feeling that a number of the more carefree country girls were going to be in for a tumble or two, if they weren‟t careful.
"Lady Sarah. It is a lovely evening."
The redheaded man sidled up to them, but his eyes never left Caroline, even as he addressed Sarah. The earl‟s mocking words ran through her head once more.
"Mr. Everly," Sarah said, with the insipid smile she could never completely get rid of in social situations. "May I introduce my cousin Mrs. Martin."
He bowed, his eyes staying on hers. "Charmed."
She curtsied back and pasted a smile on her face. "Likewise, Mr. Everly."
"I saw you at the racing and fencing competitions with Lady Sarah, but don‟t believe I have had the pleasure before."
"I rarely venture to London." The poor choice she had made in running off with Patrick had guaranteed little reception in social circles. Only the earl‟s force in making Patrick marry her let her move in them now at all.
"No season then?"
"No, I married before my season might have taken place." She likely wouldn‟t have had a season anyway if the earl was to be believed. He hadn‟t been in the country at the time, part of the reason she had been able to make the choices she had.
"Ah. And your husband…?"
Her pasted smile grew more strained. How she hated these games. And that this man was starting one in front of Sarah spoke volumes about his character.
"Deceased."
He looked about as sad at that statement as she had expected. She increased the intensity of her smile. "So how do you come to find yourself at the estate playing for a chance at Lady Sarah‟s hand?"
His fake conciliatory look fell into surprise, then discomfort at the switch of the conversation.
"The fair lady Sarah is the most splendid prize," he said with a feigned smile.
"Very true, Mr. Everly." She smiled at Sarah, who was looking awkward and miserable. "Those who discover the truth of that statement will win a prize indeed."
Caroline feigned a look toward the other side of the room. "Oh, if you‟ll pardon us, Mr. Everly, Lady Tevon seems to need our attention."
"Of course," he hastened to say, suddenly looking quite eager to get away.
Sarah hurried alongside her as they walked away from her "suitor." "Oh, Caro."
"Hush. Come, let‟s find better company."
"Hardly possible in this crowd," her companion muttered.
"Poor Everly must be in terrible straits tonight to have chased you away that quickly, Lady Sarah, Mrs. Martin."
The dreaded voice.
They pulled to a stop and turned to see Sebastien Deville leaning against the back side of the pillar they were passing, hidden from previous view. A perfect spot from which to spy. A brandy snifter dangled from his fingertips.
"Good evening, Mr. Deville," Sarah said
Deville bowed low to her, giving her his full attention, unlike what Everly had done. "And a good evening to you, Lady Sarah. It‟s been weeks since I last saw you in Town. You are looking lovelier than ever."
Sarah‟s cheeks flushed with delight. Caroline could feel her own heat in anger.
Sarah did look quite lovely tonight. Lady Tevon, for all her other faults, had a marvelous sense of style and had done a nice job picking out a new wardrobe for her charge.
But how dare he attempt to work his false charm on Sarah.
"Thank you, Mr. Deville. You are looking in fine health yourself."
He smiled, a smile not quite edged in the same way as the ones he gave her, but she could see Sarah‟s color heighten further. "I find a good hunt will do that." Aquamarine eyes suddenly turned to her. "Mrs. Martin."
"Mr. Deville."
"I hadn‟t realized you two had met," Sarah said, switching her gaze between them.
"We haven‟t," she said in a clipped voice.
Deville smiled in a lazy manner. "Haven‟t we?"
"No."
"Pity."
"Come, Sarah, let‟s find Lady Tevon."
"Yes, run along."
She bristled, but pushed Sarah forward. Sarah didn‟t stumble, the innate grace that she had when she was comfortable saving her. Concentrating on Caroline, she had obviously forgotten to be nervous.
"Caro, what is going on? How do you know Mr. Deville?"
"An unfortunate circumstance, I assure you."
Sarah stopped in the shade of a potted plant, her knowledge of the ballroom giving them a mostly secluded spot. "Tell me."
Caroline waved a hand. "Our paths crossed. Foul luck, that."
Sarah‟s eyes searched hers. "Oh, Caro, you aren‟t falling for him, are you?"
"Pardon me?" she asked, shocked into immobility.
"Falling for Deville? Lord knows you wouldn‟t be the first."
"Sarah, dear, I would as soon fall for Mr. Everly as Mr. Deville." She injected just the right amount of sincerity. She nodded internally.
"No." Sarah shook her head. "I don‟t think so. They are a little the same type of animal, though Everly wishes they were."
"You know that I would not fall for Mr. Deville‟s sort."
Again went left unsaid.
Sarah worried about her lip. "Of course, Caro, of course. But Patrick—"
"Was a mistake I do not intend to repeat. I‟ve told you that." She turned to walk in the other direction, behind the row of plants, and found a man standing farther within the shadows, watching them.
"Can we not get away?" she muttered under her breath, though not low enough, it seemed.
The man held up his hands in surrender. "Forgive me, I didn‟t mean to eavesdrop, but I was here before you stopped."
Sarah‟s chin lifted. "That is—that is little reason to continue to eavesdrop."
Caroline, pleased with this reaction from her friend, watched the unknown man step into the light. He was pleasant-looking, straight brown hair, brown eyes. Friendly enough, if any of the men at this event could be deemed such.
"True, but I found myself most intrigued."
"Curiosity is not an excuse for ungen—ungentlemanly behavior." Sarah‟s chin stayed firmly in the air.
The man smiled and held out his hand. "I find myself without someone to introduce me, and a most firm desire to be introduced despite the impropriety.
William Manning. My abject apologies, Lady Sarah."
Sarah gingerly took his hand. "Mr. Manning."
"And Mrs. Martin."
Caroline‟s irritation decreased a notch as the man returned his attention to Sarah. She couldn‟t detect any subterfuge coming from his quarter, but she would remain alert. Fortune hunters were always on the prowl, and she would have to discover his motive before any trust formed.
"Out of everyone here, I was most interested to meet you, Lady Sarah, and I see that interest was not misplaced." The words put Caroline on edge, but she still couldn‟t detect anything but sincerity from the man.
"Why would you find yourself interested in meeting me?" Her friend looked baffled.
"You are part of the inspiration for this competition, are you not?"
Sarah lost a little of her spark. "I believe I am more of a side note."
William‟s head cocked to the side. "But not as far as the King is concerned, no?"
She looked startled for a moment, then her eyes narrowed. "And why would you think that?"
He smiled. "I am merely an observer. An impartial judge, if you will."
Caroline had never seen William Manning before, but there was something familiar about him.
She couldn‟t place her finger on it.
"You are not a competitor then?" She hadn‟t seen him in the ranks, but who knew what new devil tries were in store.
"Alas, no." He smiled.