Well, that explained where the scent that clung about his person c
ame from but not how. If he’d only dined with her, he must have seen her again that night. Had he escorted her home and … well, she didn’t want to picture anything further.
“That was very kind of you to draw him toward the open doorway for fresher air, though Melanie thought you shamelessly forward,” Teresa warned in a low voice.
“Nonsense.” Julia caught up Imogen’s hand. “I was only doing what Imogen would have done should she have been present. I could not abandon him while his defenses were down.”
Imogen shook her head. “You make it sound as if you are at war, Julia.”
“Life is war. Have you forgotten what it is like to be pursued for your connections or your dowry alone? Imagine Sir Peter’s appeal now. Rich, titled, available.”
Imogen laughed. “No, I’ve not forgotten, but what happens to him is his business and not mine.”
Julia released her hand. “Then Melanie will consult her list, judge him the most worthy, and win by fair means or foul so she may shove her title in our faces. You know what she’s like.”
“Does Melanie really have a list?” Imogen tried valiantly to shake off her distress at Peter married to Melanie Merton. Last year Abigail had plotted to make Melanie Peter’s wife but Imogen hadn’t believed it a good match then and still didn’t. Melanie might be well dowered, but she wasn’t kind. She would make his life a misery and last year, Imogen’s proposal had spared him the connection. This time though, Peter was on his own. Worry seized her and she clenched her hands together. “Who else is on the list? Anyone we know?”
“Mr. Radley is on it,” Teresa said quickly.
Julia groaned. “My brother had better not fall prey to her fraudulent charms. Imagine what my life would be reduced to if we were related. Oh, the horror.”
For a moment, Imogen considered asking where Walter might be on the list but then she discarded that thought. Melanie would never have considered Walter. Her brother was safe. “Do you think Mr. Radley might be interested in Melanie?”
“Who knows with Linus,” Julia grumbled. “He keeps his interests very close to his chest. I’ve never detected one kind thought he’s had for a woman. We are not close siblings.”
Imogen sat up straight, distressed by what she was hearing but unable to take part fully in the discussion because she could hear one thing and miss the expression that went with it. Julia could be making fun for all she knew. Imogen really didn’t know much of what went on between her neighbors anymore. “Well, let’s hope Mr. Radley has enough sense to avoid her snares and traps.”
“Let us also hope Sir Peter will do the same,” Julia added, “and remembers where his best chance of happiness lies.”
“Sir Peter will make the right choice without any interference,” Imogen replied quickly. She had to stop her friends from plotting her second engagement to Peter. He deserved a wife who could be his equal in all things rather than a millstone about his neck.
CHAPTER NINE
Women, wine and wagers. That was usually the topic of conversation when Peter and his friends played cards. The comfort he found in the gathering settled his decision to return to Brighton and leave greater society behind. This was as near to content as he’d ever been in the last year. He helped himself to one last forkful of chicken and then resumed his seat at the head of his dining room table to place his modest bet.
“Friday night has not been the same without your presence, Sir Peter. Always a handsome spread.” Walter George confided from behind a plate piled high from the contents of the sideboard. Despite his slimmer profile it was clear his appetite had not been reduced as he plunked a second helping at his end of the table before digging in with gusto.
Friday night had been the highlight of the week in his household in previous years. At that time, he’d needed to keep up appearances so no one would ever know how close to the wind he’d sailed. He shuddered at the thought of debtor’s prison. If not for Imogen offering him a life raft, that in the end he hadn’t needed to cling to, he’d have already been there and miserable, but then fate had swept him into a greater fortune than he’d ever dreamed. Yet over the past year he’d been far from content. He could afford to gamble as much as he wanted now but strangely found he wasn’t so keen to risk the security of the funds.
George belched and tapped at his chest. “Pardon me. My stomach has missed you.”
Peter laughed. Walter George was rather uncharacteristically cut this evening. His cheeks held a cheerful ruddy glow brighter than a burn on a summer’s day. Given what Peter knew of the stress of life with Imogen as she was now, he judged Walter George probably needed to take his mind off his troubles for one night.
Peter tossed a few coins onto the growing pile and picked up his cards again. “I’m in.”
The others cheered as Radley matched his bet. “We’ve all missed Friday night cards here,” Radley confided. “How else can we get a moment’s peace away from our families?”
Merton chuckled softly. “Is Miss Julia causing you trouble again?”
“If only I were sure of that.” Radley frowned at his cards. “I swear the way she’s smiling she’s got a secret admirer.”
“Now that is news.” Merton pursed his lips as he stared at his cards. “Any idea who?”
“None. The bastard is fast on his feet.” Radley stared across the table. “When you called on me yesterday did you notice anyone in the parlor with m’sister as you were leaving?”
“None at all. She was alone when I passed the doorway.” Merton folded and sat back.
Radley grunted. “Well, she bears watching. The way she goes on, daring us all to race her left and right, she’ll ruin her own reputation without help.”