When a Rogue Meets His Match - Elizabeth Hoyt Page 0,80
and mother were also guests at the house party Lucretia and I attended.” She leaned a little closer to Gideon, inhaling the scent of cloves. “In fact, there were rumors that she and Lord Rookewoode had come to an understanding.”
“Messalina!” cried Lady Holland, holding out her hands. “What is this I hear of you marrying?”
Messalina smiled, catching the other lady’s hands with her own. “May I introduce my husband, Mr. Gideon Hawthorne? Gideon, this is Lady Holland and her daughters, Regina and Arabella.”
The girls curtsied at their names. Both girls had their mother’s wheat-colored hair and pure blue eyes, but while they might be similar in looks, their personalities were completely opposite. The elder, Arabella, was reserved and grave, while Regina was merry and vivacious.
“Then it’s true,” Regina chimed in. “You have married. But why in a secret ceremony?”
Lady Holland hastily cut into Regina’s guileless comments. “I’m sure we need not inquire into such a private matter.”
Regina looked rebellious.
Messalina felt her lips twitch.
“Do you know Freya has eloped with the Duke of Harlowe?” Regina broke in excitedly. “And no wonder—they spent so much time together at the house party.”
Messalina opened her mouth.
“Regina!” Arabella murmured.
“We do not talk scandal.” Lady Holland looked sternly at her younger daughter and then amended, “At least not in public.”
“I can’t think why anyone would run away to have a slapdash wedding,” Regina said, completely uncowed by her mother. “Oh!” she exclaimed, looking at Messalina with wide eyes. “I didn’t mean—”
“That’s quite all right,” Messalina assured her. “I wanted a small wedding.”
Regina looked relieved. “Mama has said that I may have a grand wedding with as many guests as I wish when Mr. Trentworth and I marry. I do hope you’ll come with Mr. Hawthorne, Mrs. Hawthorne, though of course I shan’t be marrying until after Arabella’s wedding.”
“We shall be delighted to do so,” Messalina said quite sincerely, and she turned to Arabella with a bright smile. “I hadn’t heard that you’ve become engaged. My felicitations.”
“Thank you,” Arabella replied, blushing. She glanced at her fiancé.
Lord Rookewoode appeared to be discussing something quite important with another gentleman, but as if sensing Arabella’s gaze he looked over and smiled. He turned back to the gentleman he’d been talking to, said a few more words, and then strolled to Arabella’s side.
He held out his arm for her to take and then turned his sardonic eyes on Messalina. “Miss Greycourt. I trust you’ve recovered from our sojourn in the country?”
“I have, my lord,” Messalina replied with a curtsy and a mischievous smile. “But I fear you’ve mistaken my name. It’s Mrs. Hawthorne now.”
“Is it indeed?” The earl’s return smile was dashing, but then he was a very handsome man—and he knew it. “Congratulations. To you and your husband.”
“Thank you,” Messalina said. “My lord, may I introduce my husband, Mr. Gideon Hawthorne. Gideon, this is Leander Ashley, the Earl of Rookewoode.”
“Hawthorne,” Lord Rookewoode mused. He was still smiling, but something had hardened in his eyes. “I believe I saw you at the theater the other night. Don’t you work for our host?”
Gideon bowed, his expression composed. “Yes, my lord.”
Messalina looked between the two men, confused. “You’ve met my husband before?”
Lord Rookewoode turned to her. “Oh no. I’ve simply…heard of him.”
“What an honor,” Gideon drawled, which made Messalina want to step on his toes. Why was he antagonizing the earl if he wanted to lure the man into business?
She hastily said, “I understand that we must congratulate you, my lord.”
The earl’s smile returned at once as he looked to Arabella. “Indeed. I am most fortunate that Miss Holland accepted my suit.”
It was a pretty sentiment, but not exactly true. Arabella’s lineage was respectable enough and her dowry adequate, but in the normal course of events she’d never have caught an earl’s eye. More than one unmarried lady at the ball was looking at her with open envy.
Arabella didn’t seem to notice. She looked up with frank adoration at Lord Rookewoode, blushing at his gallant speech.
“Leander has made me the happiest woman in London,” she said with what sounded like complete sincerity.
For a moment the earl looked disconcerted.
Then his easy smile was back. “Your happiness means everything to me.”
Lady Holland cleared her throat, glancing at Gideon. “Do you still work for His Grace, Mr. Hawthorne?”
Her eyes darted curiously to Messalina, for of course most people knew she had a substantial dowry, and presumably her husband would never have to work unless he wanted to.