Logan hardened himself to repel any emotional pull Sutton had on him. Their plan would not last long. She would soon be betrothed, and he, too, would find a wife. And with any luck, this agreement would end sooner rather than later.
Chapter 6
The following afternoon, as planned, Logan turned up at her townhouse, flowers in hand and a box of chocolates for her aunt who sat within the light and airy drawing room, chaperoning her for her many callers.
A bevy of gentlemen called, all of them kind and generous, and Lord Ridley most of all, which was a pleasant turn of events. Lord Ridley was a handsome gentleman, tall and as broad across the shoulders as Logan, but that was where their similarities ended. Where Logan was dark-haired, with eyes she was certain could look into her very soul and know all her deep and secret thoughts, Lord Ridley was the opposite, he held no rakish airs, his conversation always proper but interesting.
"You look very beautiful this afternoon," Lord Ridley stated, sitting across from her on the settee. Most of the gentlemen had left, only Logan remained, and he was in deep conversation with her aunt about orchids of all things.
Sutton fought not to be distracted by Logan's presence. He was not here for her. Not really. They were playing a game, pretending to be friends, since they both were no stranger to the loathing they held for each other.
Even so, she could not forget how it felt to be held within his arms. Of what their one night had been like for her. One of the best of her life, and being around him again, the longing to be back where she thought she belonged, in his embrace, would not dissipate.
"My gown is new," she heard herself saying, settling her skirts better over her legs. She looked up at Lord Ridley from under her lashes, a coquettish look theWallflower’s Guidehad suggested wallflowers use, and his responding smile gave her hope the book worked on his lordship, just as Logan thought it would.
He, too, deemed her gown at last evening's ball pretty.
"The green suits you," his lordship asserted, his gaze dipping to her person, taking in the rest of her form. Sutton swallowed, having not thought Lord Ridley would look so devilishly handsome when interested in a woman or as wicked as Logan did at times.
The clearing of a gentleman's throat caught her attention, and she turned to find Logan glaring at her, a displeased frown between his brows.
She scowled back at him, shaking her head at his annoyance. Whatever was wrong with the man? Had he forgotten this is what they had both wanted? To see them both wed and not to each other? She could not think of a worse fate than having to marry Logan after his treatment of her, no matter if his helping her did, in a small way, appease a little of his actions.
But only a diminutive bit.
"Are you attending the Ponsonby ball this evening?" she asked, leaning toward the small table between them and picking up her cup of tea, ensuring his lordship had a good view of other assets she held, not only her pleasant personality and fortune.
His eyes lingered on her breasts before he remembered himself and met her eyes. "Ah, yes, I am. Will you do me the honor of reserving the first set with me, Miss Howard?"
"She cannot. She has already promised that dance to me," Logan said, slipping down beside her and placing his arm across the back of her chair. A too-presumptuous stance if ever she had noticed one and one that Lord Ridley did not miss.
Lord Ridley, to his credit and without missing a step, rallied. "The second set then, Miss Howard?"
She glared at Logan when he sighed, warning him to stop his outrageous behavior. That was not part of their deal. "I will, of course, dance the second set with you, my lord. Thank you for asking."
"The pleasure will be mine," Lord Ridley said, standing.
Sutton also stood, only to find his lordship took her hand and kissed her gloved fingers. His eyes bored into hers, and realization struck her that she could be happy with this man. He could make her heart beat fast, just as fast as the man at her side had in the past, she was certain.
"Until tonight, Miss Howard," he murmured and then left.
Sutton smiled after him, watching his departure before the butler closed the door, and she was left with only her aunt, now asleep on her settee, and Logan, glaring at her as if she had done something wrong.
She slumped beside him, chuckling. "Do you not think Lord Ridley is a possible suitor? I did not dare to hope after your words last evening, but he seems genuinely interested."
Logan leaned back against the chair, staring at the ornate ceiling above. "I'm certain he is interested. Not many gentlemen would ignore my annoyance and continue with their plight to gain your attention at the next ball."
She smiled, turning to face Logan. "I knew your act as a jealous suitor was all a ploy. Thank you for playing the part so well."
"I saw the look you gave him. That is a new development I have not seen before."
"I know." She smirked, proud of herself. "TheWallflower’s Guidesuggested flirtatious glances may need to be incorporated into one's evening, and I did not see why I could not use those ploys at an afternoon tea."
"Try one on me, and see if it works," Logan suggested.
Sutton schooled her features, seeing no reason not to oblige. She glanced down at the settee before slowly lifting her gaze to meet Logan's. She looked at him from under her lashes, trying with all her seductive wiles to make him react to her ploy.
The reaction was not one she expected, not really. His attention snapped to her lips before his dark, hungry gaze lifted to her eyes. Sutton bit her lip, her stomach twisting into delicious knots. She had not seen Logan look at her in such a way for years, and she had forgotten the impact such glances had on her person.