Chapter 4

4

F or a ‘small soiree,’ the Duke of Carver’s drawing room was crammed full of far too many people, by Albright’s way of thinking.

Truthfully, Albright wasn’t even certain he was right in coming here tonight. Yes, Carver was one of his oldest friends, and it might have been rude to cry off this evening’s gathering, but it might have been for the best, all the same.

Felicity would likely be here tonight and he wasn’t sure she’d wish to see him.

Oh blast. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see her .

And yet, here he was.

“Glad you could make it, Albright.” Carver greeted him with a grin. Meg was tucked against his side and the two seemed happy as could be playing host to their friends.

There was no question those two were a love match, and he suspected they were both counting the days until their wedding just like Marlin and Jane.

His friend Rodrick called out to him when he drew deeper into the crowd. He waved to Rodrick and his new wife, Franny, his smile widening as he caught sight of Kal and Ann whispering to each other in a far corner, oblivious to the rest of the party.

Judging by Ann’s blush and her smile, she was still more than pleased with her decision.

His gaze kept moving about the room, and he couldn’t even pretend that he wasn’t looking for Felicity. He owed her his thanks. A better thank you than the one he’d managed the other day.

Her information had been accurate and helpful. He and his cousin had done some digging and it seemed Everson had indeed been making the rounds, calling upon potential investors for his new business. By all accounts, it seemed to be a legitimate endeavor.

But Albright didn’t trust it. It was too neat to be a coincidence. His cousin had gotten word that there was trouble brewing amongst the smugglers under Everson’s management. It had indeed grown too big, and now there were some who wished to take control, and others who wanted to strike out on their own.

It was all hearsay, of course, but if it was true…

Between a potential uprising and the crown closing in, it would be safe to assume Everson was looking for a means of escape. But was he truly planning to hide behind a legitimate business…

Or was he hatching a plan to flee?

Albright stopped in the doorway to a crowded parlor. With a quick glance it was clear Felicity was not there, and so he turned right back around, frustration urging him on.

And he also owed Felicity an apology, of that much he was clear. The problem was, he wasn’t entirely sure what he was apologizing for.

He shouldn’t feel guilty for trying to keep her safe.

But he couldn’t stop thinking about that flicker of hurt he’d seen in her eyes. Or the way she’d almost…shut down after that.

Oh, she’d been pleasant. Too pleasant. Her bright smile had been haunting his thoughts for days now.

There’d been something false about it. And that spark he’d come to know her by had gone away. One moment he’d been talking to this vibrant, sparkling, magnetic young lady and the next…

The lights had gone out.

They’d still been standing there talking, but the warmth and the glow that was so very Felicity had left. And Albright had…

Well, he’d missed it. The absence had left him cold and uncertain, and that was not a feeling was used to.

“Looking for someone?” Carver asked.

He and Meg had approached from behind, and Albright turned with a start. He opened his mouth to say no, but the truth slipped out. “Miss McGovern,” he said.

“Ah.” Carver nodded. “Yes, I saw her arrive earlier.”

“She arrived with Lord Marlin, Jane, and Mr. Everson,” Meg said.

Meg was arching her neck trying to find Felicity so she did not see the way Albright froze, and then frowned. “She arrived with Mr. Everson?”

“Yes.” Meg met his gaze, and her eyes widened in surprise at whatever she saw there. “Well, in their party.”

Carver studied him. “Is everything all right?”

He nodded, but... No. It wasn’t. What was she up to?

Not for the first time he questioned his logic in not telling Marlin outright that he suspected his friend. But, in Albright’s defense, he hadn’t known Marlin well enough to say for certain if he could be trusted. It had seemed safer to keep his suspicions to himself.

Of late, he was beginning to think he should have trusted him. And right here and now he cursed himself for not warning all of his friends that they may very well have a snake in their midst.

“Where did they go?” he asked.

“Mmm,” Meg sort of hummed with indecision, her brows knitting with worry. “She was just here a moment ago, I’m sure of it.”

“Perhaps they stepped outside for some fresh air,” Carver offered. “It is rather crowded in here.”

Albright headed toward the veranda, ignoring everyone in his path, tension building within him with each step, until he finally burst out onto the veranda to find…

Nothing amiss.

He had to stop and take in a breath as he took in the perfectly ordinary scene before him. Several couples mingled, and among them was Felicity…and Mr. Everson.

She was gazing up at him, and her dimples flashed when she smiled.

Albright’s gut twisted for a reason he could not name, and rather than be relieved that she was unharmed, he found himself irrationally angry with her.

What was she thinking coming out here by herself? And with Everson, of all people? Yes, fine, there were others around, and it wasn’t exactly indecent, except…

Well, it wasn’t exactly decent either, now was it? Not when she knew full well that Mr. Everson was under suspicion.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he moved toward her, all the while reluctantly admitting to himself that she’d made a valid point the other day. Mr. Everson would likely take an interest in her—what man wouldn’t? And keeping her in the dark would not help to protect her from that.

He may have refused to tell her anything about his suspicions regarding Mr. Everson. But even so, she knew. She was no fool, and he had no doubt that whatever she was up to out here tonight, it was part of her plan.

He moved swiftly to her side, and stopped just short of touching her, resisting the urge to press a hand to her lower back. For protection, he told himself.

But even as he thought it, he felt the untruth. Protection, yes, but also…possession.

He met Mr. Everson’s smiling gaze and his hand flexed at his side. He itched to make a claim on Felicity, and that was…not alright.

Even if it was just to keep her safe, it was this compulsion that startled him. The fact that such a primal feeling was winning out over reason.

“Lord Albright,” Everson said. His tone was congenial as ever, but Albright couldn’t match his smile.

“Everson,” he bit out.

Blast. What was wrong with him? He’d spent more than a fortnight being perfectly cordial to this man while conducting his investigations and now here, tonight…

He couldn’t so much as unclench his jaw at the sight of the man.

No, the sight of him…with Felicity.

They were standing far too close together and they were both still smiling brightly. As if Albright’s foul mood amused them.

“Lord Albright, are you well?” Felicity’s tone was filled with laughter.

And that knave Everson actually had the nerve to laugh.

“Quite,” Albright managed. Only then did he turn his gaze to Felicity.

Her eyes were dancing with amusement, and her lips were quirked up in a smile that was at once infuriating and…adorable.

He drew in a sharp inhale. No, not adorable. He could not find Miss Felicity McGovern adorable. She was not the sort of lady he ought to be admiring.

If anything, he ought to be irritated with the girl for putting herself in harm’s way.

And he was , blast it all.

A silence fell and the air seemed to grow thick and heavy as Felicity held his gaze. There was no defiance there, and no shame either. But her eyes seemed to lock with his, a whole conversation taking place between them with a simple look.

Until Everson spoke up. “I was just telling Felicity?—”

“Felicity,” Albright interrupted. He shot a dark look in Everson’s direction. “Are you so well acquainted then?”

“Well, that is…” Everson chuckled. “The young lady asked me to use her given name.”

“Indeed, I did,” Felicity said brightly. “We were just discussing Mr. Everson’s newfound friendship with my great uncle. Which of course means that we should be friends. Don’t you agree, Mr. Everson?”

Everson looked positively delighted. And Albright was almost certain he caught a hint of triumph in the younger man’s eyes as he returned her smile. “That is correct, Felicity. It would be my honor to call you friend.”

Albright nearly choked on a surge of anger. The impertinent upstart. First using his friendship with the Earl’s deceased brother to ingratiate himself with Marlin…

And now this.

Now Felicity.

Everyone knew Felicity was an heiress with an enviable dowry, and she’d said herself she’d be next on his list. His gaze darted back to Felicity, looking for…

What? A flicker of disdain at this money hungry social climber? Some hint of fear that he might have ill intentions? He looked for any sign of discontent in her expression, but Felicity seemed pleased as could be.

He took a deep breath and forced some semblance of calm into his tone as he addressed Everson. “Might I have a word with Miss McGovern?”

Everson looked to Felicity, as if he needed her permission to be left alone with Albright. His jaw tightened. As if he were the threat here.

Felicity gave a gracious nod and a meaningful look around them at the couples gathered about. They wouldn’t be alone, and she was in no danger.

Albright wanted to shout.

Which was…alarming. He prided himself on his even temper. His friends often relied on him to be the voice of reason, the quiet in a storm of quick tempers and loud laughter.

So what was it about Miss Felicity McGovern that made him turn into the storm itself?

“Was there something you wished to discuss, my lord?” she murmured when Everson stepped away.

“Yes, I…” He came to a stop, all at once remembering why he’d meant to seek her out in the first place. “I’d meant to apologize.”

She arched a brow with some wariness at his unapologetic tone. “Oh?”

“Yes. But I’m not entirely sure I feel that urge any longer.”

She pressed her lips together, entirely too amused by his displeasure. “I’m sorry to hear that. I am certain that if the great and charming Lord Albright is capable of anything, it is the most eloquent and charming of apologies.”

“Charming,” he repeated. “You said that twice.”

“Once is not enough when it comes to the charming Lord Albright.”

His huff was meant to be one of disdain, and yet…blast it all! Why was he laughing? She was not amusing; she was a meddlesome little minx. “Would you please stop talking like that?”

“Like what?”

“In the third person, as though I am not even here.”

“Oh, but you are most assuredly here. Why, I am certain everyone is talking about your arrival…” She arched a brow again and the simple gesture said far too much. “ And your manners just now.”

He glanced around them, and yes. They were being watched. His jaw worked as he understood her meaning. Carver and Marlin had been curious as to his sudden need to see Felicity the other day. And now he’d come crashing through the party, hunting her down and chasing away another man…

He muttered a curse.

“Precisely,” she said.

He narrowed his eyes. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re enjoying yourself?”

“Because I am.” Her smile held no malice, only laughter. “Come, Albright. You can smile. A little gossip will not harm you. And as for me, it can only help my prospects if word spreads that the great and mighty Lord Albright has a special interest in an odd little thing like me.”

The way she said ‘odd little thing’ had him fighting a laugh. It was the perfect imitation of the gossiping matrons who most likely did call her that.

He held back his mirth but she didn’t hold back with a loud, tinkling laugh. Then she leaned forward to tap his shoulder with her fan. “Now, did you really mean to apologize?”

He rocked back on his heels, considering. “Yes. Until I realized you were up to no good.” He arched his brows. “Again.”

“Mmm. I do tend to make a habit of that, don’t I?”

“You don’t have to sound so pleased,” he said.

“And you don’t have to sound so much like my chaperone.”

His brows drew down. “I do not.”

“You do. All that’s missing are the click clack of knitting needles.”

He frowned. “Well, that is…not good news for me, now is it?”

She sputtered a bit as she tried to swallow a laugh. “Lord Albright, do you know what I think we need to do?”

“I can hardly wait to hear.”

His dry tone earned him a dimpled smile. “I believe we ought to start over.”

He blinked.

“Pretend we’ve only just met,” she clarified.

“I see. Very well.” He gave a short bow. “Lord Albright, at your service.”

Her curtsy was surprisingly elegant and neat. “Miss Felicity McGovern.”

Her smile was so sweet and beguiling, he found himself returning it, a little stunned, really. For a moment it was…nice. Rather like they truly had just met.

He felt like he was seeing her for the first time.

Had she always had such blue eyes? And had her cheekbones always been so high, her brows so delicately arched?

Her hair certainly had never looked so soft and touchable.

It was while he was lost in these foolish thoughts that she said, “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, would you like to know where Everson’s conducting his business?”