A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,39

come for card night sometime. It can get positively ruthless around the table.” She waggled her red brows and grinned.

“Oh yes, you must come for that,” Delia said, stroking her belly. “Before I have the babe.”

Rachel patted her arm. “You’ve a few months yet. Plenty of time for Lady Gresham, and Miss Whitford, of course, to come for cards.”

“We just need to make sure North will be here.”

Selina had realized during dinner that North was the nickname the Aylesbury sisters called their eldest brother. That they’d mentioned him after Beatrix made Selina wonder if they were trying to match the two of them as they were clearly trying to do with her and Mr. Sheffield.

Selina considered how she might let them know that neither she nor Beatrix were interested in being paired off. However, before she could find the right words, Imogen spoke.

“Do you ride, Lady Gresham? Harry is an excellent horseman.”

“No, I do not.” Selina had never even owned a horse. She had, out of necessity, learned to drive about ten years before.

“What a shame,” Delia said. “Do you have an aversion to it?”

“No. I just never learned.” Selina tried not to lie when it wasn’t necessary. That only complicated matters. She also endeavored not to offer information, just in case a lie became necessary. “I take it you all ride?”

“We do,” Rachel said. “It’s never too late to learn, you know. Perhaps Harry would give you a lesson.”

Their efforts were shameless. It was almost enough to make Selina laugh. And she might have if not for the ever-present pull she felt toward Mr. Sheffield. Because of that, there was no humor but an apprehension of where that might lead. Not to horse riding—of that she was certain. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“He’d be happy to teach you,” Lady Aylesbury said enthusiastically.

“What about chess?” Rachel asked. “Do you play? Harry is quite accomplished at that.”

“Rarely,” Selina said. Sir Barnabus had taught her, but she hadn’t had time to master the skill needed to win.

“When you come for card night, you can play with Harry,” Imogen suggested as a maid entered with a tray of Madeira.

Selina gratefully took a glass and prayed Beatrix would return soon. Perhaps then they could divert the conversation from Mr. Sheffield and what he liked to do. After sipping her wine, Selina said, “It is my impression that Mr. Sheffield’s favorite pastime is his work.”

“Not necessarily,” Lady Aylesbury began. Before she could continue, Rachel waved her hand.

“No need to make it seem otherwise, Mama. Lady Gresham’s impression is dead accurate, as we all well know.” Rachel winked at Selina.

Now Selina did smile. She was torn between enjoying Mr. Sheffield’s family and succumbing to the urge to flee from their presence. She realized their closeness was incredibly unnerving. She didn’t share that with anyone beyond Beatrix, and even then, as Beatrix had pointed out, Selina still kept some things to herself.

“What do you think of that?” Lady Aylesbury asked.

Selina wasn’t entirely sure what the countess was getting at. “Of what?”

“Of Harry having an occupation. Some women, a great many, actually, find that bothersome.”

That was their loss. A man who knew himself and possessed the drive to pursue what he wanted and help others in the process was a man worth admiring. “How unfortunate for them. I think it’s commendable.”

It was as if a firework had gone off in the room. The Aylesbury ladies all exchanged looks warmed with enthusiasm and hope. Selina felt heat rise in her face. She rarely bungled things that badly. Now they would be absolutely relentless.

“Are you all right, Lady Gresham?” Delia asked. “You look a bit warm.”

“I am, actually. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just step outside for some air.” Selina knew precisely how to find her way to the back garden, since she’d accompanied Mr. Sheffield there on her last visit.

“Just through there.” Lady Aylesbury gestured to the closed doors, and Selina realized the large drawing room had been opened into another room at the back of the house for the soiree to provide more space.

“Thank you.” Selina went through the doors and continued on until she was outside on the terrace. From there, she went down the stairs to the garden, where she took a deep breath.

“Lady Gresham.”

The familiar sound of Mr. Sheffield’s voice caressing her name drew her to turn. He stood just under the stairs, his eyes gleaming in the light from the torch burning near the house.

“Mr. Sheffield.” Selina had been looking for respite, but she