Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,10

Kensington is just as eager as before, then.”

Jeffery gave his friend a tight smile, a deeply unsettling feeling in his stomach. “Indeed,” he muttered as Lord Swinton shook his head in a manner that spoke of his dislike of Lady Kensington’s behavior. “You behave in a most admirable fashion, Richmond. Many gentlemen would have given in to her. In fact, I am quite certain that many have done so.”

Taking a sip of his brandy, Jeffery drew in a long breath. “I am not one of them,” he muttered as Lord Swinton grinned. “As much as she might wish it, I am not at all inclined towards her.”

“And we are all aware of it,” Lord Swinton replied, slapping Jeffery on the shoulder. “Now that I consider it, you have not shown any interest in any lady whatsoever, save for that one debutante some two Seasons ago!”

It was something of a painful memory and not one that Jeffery relished being brought back to his attention. “If you are speaking of Miss St. Claire, then I can assure you that there was no real interest there,” he lied. “And when she chose another, I was quite happy.”

Lord Swinton laughed and shook his head. “I will not believe that, no matter how often you try to convince me of it,” he said with a grin. “You had your heart quite broken and since then have been unable to find another young lady that can in any way compare to Miss St. Claire.”

“Enough,” Jeffery growled, having had his fill of Lord Swinton’s jibes. “If you recall, we were discussing Lady Kensington.” He kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear him. “Is there any advice you wish to give me, Swinton? Or will you merely continue to mock me?”

Lord Swinton did not immediately answer, his expression becoming a little more serious as he tilted his head and let his gaze flick back towards Lady Kensington, who was, Jeffery presumed, still standing somewhere behind him.

“I have no advice to give you,” Lord Swinton said eventually as Jeffery let out a heavy sigh of frustration. “You can continue to push aside her attentions as you have been doing, but other than that, I cannot see what you can do.”

“Do you think Lord Kensington is aware of her…eagerness?” Jeffery asked, a little anxious that he might find himself in a little difficulty should Lord Kensington notice his wife’s behavior. “If he is, then I am not at all sure what I ought to do.”

Lord Swinton shook his head. “The man either is fully aware of her and chooses to ignore it, or he is a simpleton,” he said bluntly. “I am more inclined to lean towards the first suggestion, however. I am sure that is why he is so often absent at events such as this or, at the very least, standing separately from his wife.”

Jeffery winced. “That must be most unfortunate for him.”

“That,” Lord Swinton replied sharply, “is because he was foolish enough to marry a young lady that was both much too young for his older years and much too silly for his sensible nature. He ought to have made a match with more consideration than he did. Little wonder that his wife now seeks out better company than he, for they are so mismatched that she must be very bored indeed!”

A murmur of protest in Jeffery’s heart brought a quick response. “I do not think that either a difference in years nor in nature is enough of an excuse to behave in such a way,” he replied as Lord Swinton shrugged. “I should expect a lady such as she to be flirtatious, yes, but to be so overt and intentional that everyone within the ton sees it is quite another thing.”

“Again,” Lord Swinton replied, “it is to be expected with such a silly creature as she.” He laughed and slapped Jeffery on the shoulder again. “You are much too proper, Richmond: that is your only foible,” he chuckled as Jeffery shrugged him off. “Most other gentlemen would accept Lady Kensington’s attentions without hesitation, whereas you are quite determined not to do so.”

“Because it would not be right,” Jeffery replied, now a little irritated by his friend’s remark as well as his broad smile. “Now, where is Lord Kensington? I must go and greet him at once.”

Lord Swinton looked all about him and then shrugged. “I could not say,” he remarked. “You know how the gentleman is. Most likely, he will have dragged one of