“Yes, please,” Mrs. Avery added and patted the place next to her on the settee. “I hate we didn’t get a chance to speak more last night.”
Bella truly didn’t have a choice in the matter, so she crossed the room and took the seat beside Greg’s sister-in-law, feeling rather uncomfortable about the whole thing. It seemed, and perhaps she was wrong, but it seemed as though Mrs. Avery was watching her very closely, and Bella was afraid she was coming up short in the lady’s estimation. Perhaps Mrs. Avery detected that bit of oddness about her that Grandfather had mentioned. She shouldn’t let the woman’s opinion of her matter in the least, she wasn’t, after all, really going to marry Greg, but it bothered her just the same anyway.
“Arabella is a talented artist,” Cordie informed her sister-in-law.
And while it was sweet of the countess to say as much, she’d never laid eyes on anything Bella had worked on. It was very clearly the lady’s loyalty shining through her words, and that loyalty was something Bella truly appreciated, especially right in that moment. “You are kind.”
Cordie beamed in response. “In fact, she is going to paint Gregory’s portrait. Isn’t that lovely?”
“Indeed,” Mrs. Avery agreed. “What a wonderful talent to possess.” She smiled, not unkindly, at Bella. Perhaps she’d misread the lady’s scrutiny a moment ago. Mrs. Avery did seem sincere in her expression.
“Lissy says you’re a wonderful horsewoman,” Bella said.
“Raised in a saddle.” Mrs. Avery’s smile widened. “Do you ride?”
“Some,” Bella replied. Though she didn’t imagine anyone would call her an excellent horsewoman. That was more Prissa’s domain than hers.
“Well, we shall have to go for a ride in the park this week, then,” Mrs. Avery continued. “I am sorry I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you last night, Lady Arabella. I truly am so happy for you and Greg. He is my absolute favorite brother-in-law, you know?”
“I will not repeat that to Brendan,” Cordie laughed. “As he’s always been so fond of you, Phoebe.”
Mrs. Avery did blush a bit, looking slightly embarrassed all of a sudden. “You know I adore your husband, Cordie. But Gregory…well, Tristan and I never would have found our way to each other if not for him. And that is a debt neither of us can ever repay.” Then she turned her attention on Bella once more. “I have spent the Season thus far failing in each and every one of my matchmaking attempts on his behalf.”
Greg had mentioned that the previous evening right before he’d admitted that he never planned to marry. Bella forced a smile to her face, unsure how she was supposed to respond to such a statement from her would-be sister-in-law.
“It’s too bad you didn’t know Arabella before now, then,” Cordie said, preventing Bella from having to come up with some sort of response to that statement. “She could have saved you so much time and effort.”
“Indeed.” Mrs. Avery nodded. “Love at first sight is what he told Tristan. And while that doesn’t sound like the Gregory I know in the least, it is very romantic, isn’t it?”
It would be romantic if it was true. And Bella found herself wishing once more that it was true. Throughout the last season, she hadn’t spent any time thinking about what sort of man she would marry, if she ever married; but since meeting Greg, since he’d come to her rescue and joined her in this subterfuge, since that kiss…If she ever did marry, it would be rather difficult for any fellow to ever measure up to him.
“Once upon a time, Greg was quite different than the man you know, Phoebe.”
Goodness. What had he been like once upon a time?
“Besides” Cordie continued with a shrug, “everyone responds to falling in love differently, I think. In fact, when one finds their perfect match, any old assumptions about what one has always wanted don’t necessarily mean anything anymore.” Then she nodded toward Bella. “Back before I married Clayworth, I had my heart set on an entirely different fellow. My husband’s complete opposite, in fact. The two of them truly are as different as night and day.”
“Oh?” Bella asked softly, not at all certain what else to say to that. She didn’t know either lady terribly well, not really, even if Cordie Clayworth had come to her aid. And to have them sharing such confidences with her, did make her the slightest bit uncomfortable, especially as she couldn’t be completely honest about her own situation, not with Mrs. Avery in the parlor.
“Luckily, I saw the error in my judgment,” Cordie continued. “With that said, the other fellow is still a very dear friend.”
Mrs. Avery made an irritated sound. “Speaking of that fellow…You should have heard Tristan and Gregory last night, complaining about him. They always wait until you’re not around and when I’m outnumbered before they start such discussions.”
Haversham? That must be the fellow Mrs. Avery meant as she’d said almost the same thing the night before. Cordie Clayworth had once upon a time had her heart set on the wicked Marquess of Haversham? Goodness! Bella thought all proper ladies avoided him like the veritable plague, especially if they valued their own good name.
Cordie shrugged. “I somehow think Marc prefers it that way.”
“For people to disparage him on a regular basis?”
The countess nodded. “It never seems to bother him, at least.”
“Ah, here you are.” Greg stood just inside the threshold along with Lady Staveley at his side.
Oh! Bella’s heart sped up at the sight of him—his dark brown jacket, emphasizing the breadth of his shoulders, his buff trousers unable to hide his muscular thighs, and his uncomplicated cravat that spoke of a man who cared nothing about fashion.
Greg’s green gaze landed on her, and her breath caught in her throat. Goodness, he was so devastatingly handsome. And when he cast her the smallest smile like they shared a secret, warmth washed over her, as did the memory of their kiss.
“Caroline!” Cordie pushed out of her chair to greet her new arrivals. “I’m so glad to see you.”