I only just kept myself from flinching away in alarm. Whatever this man’s attributes, that moment told me all I needed to know. He was not safe; he would never do for me.
“Lord Williams is, from what I understand, the very epitome of a gentleman. Well-bred, well educated, well-mannered, and a baron to boot.” She leaned toward me. “He’s the reason half the women agreed to come so readily. I have placed you in quite the favored position.”
I smiled politely. “Thank you for such a choice seat.”
Mrs. Hickmore turned to the men. “Gentlemen, Miss Brinton is the best kind of company. She is intelligent, determined, and able to hold her own. Yes, Mr. Northam, even against your wit and wiles. Though bearing no title, her family has property and means, and her mother is a true lady in action and spirit. You both must promise to be kind to her, for she is my special guest, and she has had her fill of broken hearts already.”
I cringed. That last line of information would have been better left unrevealed. But being straightforward would save time, and Mrs. Hickmore was determined to see as many matches made by the end of the week as she could.
“We shall be perfect gentlemen,” Mr. Northam replied.
Mrs. Hickmore raised a brow. “I’m counting on it.” Then she glanced at a man approaching her. “Ah, Reverend Michaels. Let me assist you.”
Mr. Northam stepped beside me as she moved away. “Please, allow me.” He pulled out my chair.
This was a good start. “Thank you.”
Lord Williams glanced at us. His eyes narrowed before he turned to the woman on his other side and offered her his assistance with her own chair.
After seating himself, Mr. Northam inclined his head toward me. “Mrs. Hickmore doesn’t beat around the bush with introductions, does she?”
It was more of a statement than a question. “I have certainly never known her to mince words.”
He tilted his head, studying me. “Is your acquaintance of long standing?”
“She is an old family friend.”
“Interesting. Only I thought it rather obtuse of her to introduce you in such a way. Well, that last bit, anyway. The rest was quite flattering.”
My smile relaxed into one of shared sympathy. “She did little better with you.”
He grinned and settled back against his chair. “Oh, I don’t mind. I think she summed me up pretty accurately.”
“She practically warned me away from you.”
“As she should,” Lord Williams interjected, turning toward me. “Northam is a rogue.”
I hadn’t realized he’d been listening, and I couldn’t help but resent the interruption. But Lord Williams’s comment didn’t seem to bother Mr. Northam in the least. He smiled. “I prefer the term rake. It is so much more endearing, is it not?”
A rake—that was exactly who I needed. Why hadn’t I thought of it before? He couldn’t deceive me, for I already knew his character. And my heart would never be in danger from anyone so profligate. I’d be safe with him.
I sat back to allow the baron admittance to the conversation, though I kept my attention directed to Mr. Northam. “You two are acquainted?”
“Cousins, actually.” Mr. Northam raised his glass as though in toast of Lord Williams. “Can you not see the resemblance?”
I glanced between the two. There was nothing to indicate a family likeness. “Is it in the nose, perhaps?”
Mr. Northam laughed. “And so it is. How astute of you.” He leaned closer. “What on earth are you doing here? Surely someone as charming as you doesn’t need to attend a gathering such as this.”
Footmen came forward with soup, and I waited until they’d finished serving us before replying, “No more than a baron and his wealthy cousin.” I dipped my spoon into the white liquid and took a noiseless sip. The creamy broth and crushed almonds tasted like resolve and opportunity swirled together in a perfect blend of promise.
“Touché,” Mr. Northam said. “Still, I cannot say I regret your coming. This party would surely have been dull without your presence. As it is. . . .” His gaze shifted past me to Lord Williams.
I turned. Lord Williams was shaking his head but stopped abruptly. His eyes met mine before he turned away and reached for his glass. “Yes, quite dull.”
Something had transpired between them, but I ignored it for the larger question: had Lord Williams intentionally insulted me by calling me dull? “I do not believe anything dealing with Mrs. Hickmore could ever be considered dull,” I countered.
“This information augurs well for the rest of the week, does it not, dear cousin?” Mr. Northam asked.
Lord Williams’s frown deepened. “Perhaps for you.”
I raised my brows in polite question.
“He didn’t wish to come,” Mr. Northam confided. “He detests social gatherings of this kind. Something to do with his title and scheming young women.”
I nodded. “A bachelor with a title. I understand perfectly.”
Mr. Northam shook his head as though his cousin’s predicament was to be pitied. “He compounds the problem of his own volition. I have told him time and again to simply offer for a young lady and be done with it.”
“My cousin is a romantic,” Lord Williams said sarcastically.
“Romance is highly overrated,” I replied. “You are more likely to find happiness following your cousin’s advice than in the modern sentiment of following your heart.”
“Was it your own broken heart Mrs. Hickmore spoke of, then?” Mr. Northam asked.
“Northam,” Lord Williams chastised.
Mr. Northam smiled at me. It was a magnificent smile, no doubt used upon many occasions to beg his pardon. “I do apologize, Miss Brinton. That was very ill-mannered of me.”
It was ill-mannered of him, but at least he did not hide who he was. “Your question was honest and direct, two traits I admire.” Two traits more people would do well to develop.
“So, you will answer the question?” Mr. Northam asked.
I smiled. “No.”
“No, you will not answer, or no, you do not come to this party bearing a broken heart?”
“Really, Northam,” Lord Williams broke in. “Do leave the lady alone.”
Mr. Northam’s attention shifted to him. “If she wanted to be left alone, she wouldn’t be here.”
“But I doubt she thought she’d be harassed by the likes of you all evening.”
“And you think she’d rather enjoy your company than mine?” Mr. Northam met my gaze. “My cousin and I have something of a long-standing dispute, and I believe you may be the perfect person to answer it for us.”
“Northam.” Lord Williams sounded irritated.
Mr. Northam pressed on. “He argues that women prefer a man of manners and good breeding, and that is why women flock to him. I argue that it is only because of his title that anyone shows any interest in such a tedious and tiresome person. What is your opinion on the matter?”
Lord Williams carefully set his spoon down. “You must excuse my cousin, Miss Brinton. He is worse than usual this evening, and I apologize that you are bearing the brunt of his beastliness.”
Mr. Northam didn’t seem disconcerted by his cousin in the least. “Attempting to contain what he terms my ‘beastliness’ is the only reason he’s in attendance, much to the disappointment of many young women who rather hope to catch his eye—and his title.”