Merton swiveled on his chair to face Peter. “Now do tell us about the ladies you encountered during your time away. Were there none to tempt the new baronet to play?”
Peter laughed at the brash question, aware Walter’s gaze had sharpened on him and was no longer indifferent to what he might say. “I did meet one lovely lady, sharp tongue, sharp mind. A pity she was closer to one hundred than my own age.”
The table burst into laughter, all but Walter. He stared.
Radley leaned forward. “I know a lot of pretty ladies who’d be only to happy to meet a young and well to-do baronet. You’ve only to say the word and the world is yours, you know.”
Peter smiled at the irony. A year ago he’d been desperate to find a solution to his problems but had been overlooked by all and sundry. Now the title opened many doors for him but none he wanted to walk through. “I’ll pass.”
“Suit yourself,” Radley drained his glass and rose on unsteady feet. “But don’t think your title and money will always smooth the way with everyone. More men have been made unhappy by a pretty face without the right connections. You should choose wisely.”
He intended to. He remembered Imogen’s face as she’d inspected his simple gifts that afternoon. He’d made a good start in renewing their relationship. Her expression when he hadn’t stolen a proper kiss had been priceless. He treasured her disappointment that he hadn’t taken advantage more than his title or his money. “I think I know what I want and am happy to wait.”
Radley’s gaze grew sly. “Does Miss George still have you under her spell?”
“I never said that.” He quickly emptied his glass to hide the foolish hope that consumed him. He really did wish for another chance with Imogen. He just wasn’t sure how to proceed.
“Never denied it either,” Radley countered as he set his hat to his head. “Well, I wish you all the luck in the world. She wouldn’t even give a friend of mine the time of day two years ago when he went courting her. I’m for bed. Goodnight one and all.”
With that Linus Radley scooped up his winnings and weaved his way from the room.
“You’ve all but declared yourself,” Merton remarked as he gathered the cards and slapped the deck on the table.
Walter shook his head. “Don’t you think you should wait on my sister
to give you some sign your pursuit is wanted?”
“If I waited on Imogen we’d never be married.”
Walter’s brow rose. “So marriage is your goal after all.”
“Yes,” Peter confessed. His whole body felt lighter for finally spitting out the truth. He may have set aside his original hopes but the truth was his goal had not changed in the past year. Blind or not, Imogen was the perfect match for him. She was smart, she was witty, and she attracted him. “I just need an opportunity to make her see that her blindness is not the hindrance to a happy and fulfilling life she believes it to be.”
“Remember what I told you on your return. She doesn’t believe in passionless marriages. You will have to convince her the right way.” Walter pursed his lips and then dug in his waistcoat pocket. He glanced at his hand a long moment then slid a key, his front door key judging by the shape, across the polished wood. “Mind if Merton and I continue to play in your absence?”
He gulped at the surprising boon he was being offered. Could it really be that simple to go to Imogen tonight and convince her to give him a second chance to prove he did find her attractive? Very desirable in fact. The idea of having her all to himself was too good an opportunity to pass up. “Not at all. Lock the front door as you leave. I have my key.”
He stood, amazed at his luck but ecstatic at the thought of being completely alone with Imogen. When he’d visited with her earlier, her housekeeper and butler had lingered beyond the door making him rather conscious that they were listening in. He didn’t think they disapproved; he’d spotted their happy smiles as he’d left. It was just that some things were best kept between himself and Imogen. Peter swiftly left his house, hurried to her door and used Walter’s key to let himself into the dark terrace house before he was seen.
As the door closed behind him soundlessly, he hesitated. He should lock the door behind him but then how would Walter return to his own home later that night. In the end, he concluded he had no choice except to leave the door unlatched. He didn’t know how long he had to speak with Imogen alone and he shouldn’t waste time. He snuck up the staircase hoping any servants would assume he was Walter returning from his evening out. He stopped at the doorway to the bedchamber he believed Imogen rested in and listened carefully. When he heard nothing he set his trembling hand to the door handle and slowly let himself inside.
CHAPTER TEN
Imogen jerked upright when her door opened and a floorboard creaked with the weight of a footstep. She held still and listened hard. “Who’s there? Walter?”
“Hello Imogen.”
Peter’s voice shocked her and she clutched her sheets against her chest. He shouldn’t be in her house at this hour of the night let alone standing at her bedchamber door.
The door closed softly and Imogen’s heart really began to thump in panic. “What the devil are you doing in my room?”
His footsteps grew closer. “I wanted to talk to you and since you never go out, I had no choice but to come in.”
Imogen wished she could see. It must be close to midnight. “How did you get in the house?”
Metal thudded against wood. “Key.”
The sheet tumbled from her hands. “Have you taken leave of your senses? Where’s Walter? What have you done? Did you win the key from my brother or stoop to steal it from him?”