The Bachelor Earl - Darcy Burke Page 0,24

flirting. Her reasons were twofold. First, to distract anyone from thinking she and Edmund were a pair. There had been a few mumblings, and she wanted to quash them. She didn’t want to be linked to anyone. Second, to dissuade Edmund from pursuing anything between them. Last night had been wonderful, but it was a single occurrence and wouldn’t be repeated.

“I suppose there’s nothing wrong with sweet and tart, though I might choose spice as a better description.” He narrowed his eyes slightly at her. “How would you describe your taste in gentlemen?”

Genie’s gaze involuntarily flicked toward Edmund. She didn’t particularly want to answer that question. Thankfully, they were joined by Mr. Sterling.

“We’re discussing the biscuits,” Genie said. “I like the lavender lemon variety. Do you have a favorite?”

“Almond. Lavender is awful.” Sterling made a face as he reached for an almond one. “My eldest daughter would agree with you. We often debate the true purpose of lavender. I insist it’s for fragrance only. As a flavor, it’s an abomination. She argues with me incessantly.”

Rotherham laughed as he took one of the lavender lemon biscuits. “That sounds like my daughters. Sometimes I think they like to argue with me just to be contrary.”

“Yes!” Sterling agreed, his dark blue eyes sparking with mirth.

Genie didn’t laugh along with them. How could she when she would give anything for a contrary daughter? “They all sound charming.”

“Your son is grown now, but surely he was difficult at some point?” Sterling asked before taking a bite of his almond biscuit.

“My stepson, yes.” Titus had been a horrible rake for a few years before his father died. That was rather different from arguing over herbs. “I think there is always difficulty in being a parent.” A particular difficulty that was at once rife with joy and pain. She would never trade her three years with Eliza even if she’d known the heartbreak she would endure.

“That is true,” Rotherham said. “Why do you think there are so many people looking to remarry at this party?” He laughed. “Doing this alone is too hard.”

Genie didn’t know from experience, but Jerome had said the same thing before they’d wed. He’d wanted to remarry as soon as possible—for Titus. Still, he’d been adamant about finding love the second time and had been overjoyed to find Genie, who’d met both his needs and his desires.

She looked between the two men. “What is more important to you—finding a mother for your children or finding a wife for yourself?”

Sterling, who was clearly interested in her but who had also made self-deprecating remarks about being a mere mister while she was a dowager duchess and daughter of a viscount, gestured with the biscuit between his fingers. “Ideally, I’d find both.” He popped the rest of the biscuit into his mouth.

Rotherham seemed to think for a moment. “Honestly? I adore my daughters. Losing their mother was hard. Finding someone with whom they can hopefully form a close relationship is what will make me happy. So that is my answer.” He finished his biscuit.

Genie couldn’t help but melt a bit at his words. “That’s lovely,” she said softly. Perhaps he wasn’t too young for her?

Wait, was she suddenly on the hunt for a husband? Or was she looking to be a mother? It would be best if she wanted both—as Sterling had said. She looked to him. “I think you have the right of it. Kendal and I were fortunate to have both.”

“You liked being a stepmother?” Sterling asked.

“I do. Kendal—my stepson—is everything to me.”

Both men looked at her as if they were envisioning her in that role. She suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“The sun has come out!” Cecilia said loudly. Everyone turned toward the windows. “Let us prepare for the ride. We’ll congregate at the stables in one hour.”

People began leaving the drawing room, eager to change into their riding clothes and get outside. Genie had to admit she was looking forward to some fresh air on her face. Perhaps she could forget about the complexities of this party for a while.

Before departing, both men said they looked forward to seeing her on the ride. As Genie made her way to the door, Cecilia approached her.

“I thought you and Satterfield were perhaps forming an attachment, but then I’ve seen you with Sterling several times. And I just saw you flirting with Rotherham.” Cecilia grinned. “This is precisely what I was hoping for when I invited you. I do hope one of them will suit you.”

One had, at