“Easton, are you planning to attend?” Lady Devon asked.
He’d been thinking about that very question since his father asked it a few moments earlier. Now that he knew Miss Parker would be there, it would give him another opportunity to speak with her, as he believed not many young bucks would be in attendance. A musical evening would not appeal to the more raucous crowd.
“Oh, please say you’ll be there,” Miss Parker said before he had a chance to respond. “I’ll feel so much better if I have a friend with me.”
A friend?
The last thing Easton wanted to be was her friend, but he smoothed his face and said, “I’ll try.”
“Please try hard,” Miss Parker said. She went on to talk about how she was looking forward to all the different entertainments she would hopefully attend this Season.
She chatted on for several minutes before Lady Fletcher put a hand on her sister’s arm. “Dearest, perhaps it’s best not to get too excited as of yet. We’ll have to wait and see which events we’re invited to. One cannot just show up at these things without an invitation.”
“I know, but I have no doubt you’ll be getting many more invitations as the Season wears on. I want to attend them all,” Miss Parker said.
“Well, we must first consult Fletcher on these things.”
“Of course, I understand, but you will try to convince him to let us attend as many events as possible, won’t you?”
“We shall see, dearest,” Lady Fletcher said.
“Easton,” Lady Devon said before Miss Parker had a chance to argue further with her sister. “I’ve heard from your sister, and she’ll be in London with Sir Samuel and the children soon.”
“Oh? How wonderful. When are they expected?” he asked.
“I believe they’ll be here by Tuesday next.”
“How delightful,” Lady Fletcher chimed in. “I can hardly wait to see how much the children have grown.”
“I know,” Lady Devon said. “Babies grow so fast. I’ll send a note around when they arrive.”
“Thank you, Lady Devon. I’ll look forward to it,” Lady Fletcher said.
After they finished their tea, Lady Fletcher and Miss Parker said their goodbyes and departed. The air seemed to deflate from the room with her departure.
Easton sighed. What was wrong with him? Why was he so obsessed with that slip of a girl?
“Easton, is something amiss? You’re very quiet today,” his mother said.
“Not at all. I’m fine. One can hardly get a word in when Miss Parker is speaking.”
Lady Devon chuckled. “Indeed, my dear, but she’s a delight. So, tell me, how long have you been in love with her?”
Easton startled at his mother’s question. “What? In love with Miss Parker? Really, Mother, nothing could be further from the truth. She’s young, brash, and definitely a handful—certainly not ready to find a husband, in my opinion.”
“If you say so, dear. Will you be at the Carter soiree tonight?”
“I haven’t decided,” he said, standing. “I must be off. I have a few things to attend to. Good day, Mother.” He kissed his mother’s cheek and left as quickly as he could, totally baffled by her perception.
The last thing he wanted was for anyone to find out about his feelings for Miss Parker. He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to marry this Season. The one thing he did know was that he longed to be where Miss Parker was, but did that mean he wanted her by his side for the rest of his life? That was the question he was struggling with.
How had his mother figured it out? Lady Devon was a very astute lady of thetonand not much escaped her attention, but she’d surprised him today, and not in a good way. In addition to his friends teasing him about being distracted by a woman, now his mother had caught onto his interest.
As he left Devon House, his mind was in turmoil. Miss Parker was like a bright light—almost too bright to gaze upon, but absolutely irresistible to look at, even if it burned. If she merely thought of him as a friend, then he had to get control of his feelings and bury them deep, so deep that he’d no longer be haunted by her mere presence. He thought he’d already accomplished that until he saw her again in London. The feelings he thought he’d buried over a year ago had burst tothe forefront once again, and he was having a hard time putting them back in that deeply hidden box.
From now on, he would have to avoid any and all events she might attend. It was the only way for him to move forward and forget about her. He was a grown man, and he could do this. After all, there were plenty of beautiful and willing women who wanted to share his bed. He’d never lacked for female companionship, but he was at the stage in his life where he wanted more than mindless relationships.
Did that mean he truly wished to marry?