Page 20 of Managing the Major

“A dhierfiúr, I confess I was a wee bit nervous, but it went well, didn’t it? Oddly enough, it’s easier to play in front of strangers than acquaintances. Miss Croyden is quite charming, as is her mother. But your major—isn’t he dathûil tonight? Here he comes. Such an attractive man, and nearly as tall as Richard. Did you become better acquainted? You must tell me tomorrow when we drive in the park.”

Did she know Major Fairfax any better? She doubted it. If anything, the evening had raised more questions. As he approached with a smile, she noticed how the faint lines at the corners of his eyes crinkled when his lips curved. His complexion had a bronzed tint, as though he still carried the remnants of many days in the sun. Burma, she supposed.

He gave a slight bow in their direction, though the gesture was not as common these days. He carried himself with a slight formality, which she found attractive, but couldn’t help but wonder what he was like fully at ease.

“Miss Merrick. Countess, I thoroughly enjoyed your performance tonight. While the name of Mr. Mendelssohn is slightly familiar, this was my first time hearing his work.”

“Truly, there is no need for such decorum, Major Fairfax. I prefer Fiona to friends, which I hope we may call ourselves—and your charming family as well, tá? Are you interested in music, Major?”

“I am fond of music and art, but proficient in neither, I’m afraid. Did you learn to play the piano at an early age, Fiona?”

“My mother was a musician and a teacher, so I learned very young. Has Octavia not told you the story of how I came to England? You’ve heard whispers, no doubt. A dhiá, I’m quite a black sheep in the Merrick fold.”

Octavia opened her mouth to protest, but Fiona shook her head. “You know it’s true, mo chara. Fortunately, Richard’s reputation was strong enough to carry mine. Ah, I see he’s ready to leave, so I’ll say goodbye.”

Fiona gave Octavia a quick kiss on each cheek. “Tomorrow at three for our carriage ride, hmm? It’s the nanny’s day off, and your brother has promised to entertain the children. Please give my regards to Mrs. and Miss Croyden, Major Fairfax.”

His eyes followed as her graceful figure crossed to the earl. “Lady Seldon is incredibly gifted. Unlike many women today, she doesn’t allow society to limit her aspirations or her talent.”

Octavia looked at him with surprise. “Do you admire that? I had the impression you thought women have a certain place in the order of things and should remain there.”

He colored slightly. “How provincial of me. I hope you will forgive a very traditional upbringing and years of living in the country. I would hope that I’m enlightened enough to appreciate that skills and strength are not limited just to men.”

She was at a loss for words; had she misjudged him?

“But that is a conversation for another time. I came over to say goodnight, as my sister is fatigued and wishes to return home.”

He looked down at her, his hazel eyes dancing in the candlelight. “Thank you for your company tonight, Miss Merrick. I don’t think I shall ever regard camellias in the same way.”

Once again, she felt irritation mixed with the pull of attraction. It was scarcely fair to turn her topsy-turvy with compliments and clever words.

As she made her way slowly across the half-empty ballroom, Octavia revisited her matchmaking plans. Mrs. Croyden and Sir William looked well on the way to a friendship. But the major had neatly distracted her from elaborating on the subject or from mentioning a match for Abigail.

Of course, obstacles merely whetted her determination, and the major was blissfully unaware he was under attack. She would turn the tables at their next meeting, and hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

*

As Alastair helped Nerissa into the carriage, he welcomed the bracing wind cooling his face. His intention to distract Miss Merrick from her matchmaking activity had gone somewhat awry, since their flirtation had resulted in tamping down his own desire most of the evening.

The sensation of filmy skirts draped across his thigh had unfortunately generated an image of Octavia Merrick before him in some sheer garment. And when she looked up at him, unconsciously playing with her lower lip, it took every inch of control not to harden beneath his trousers. That thought was a mistake; he had a burning sensation of her in his lap, squirming against his aching erection.

“Alastair, aren’t you going to ride home with us?”

He was standing at the curb in a perfect stupor of lust, and going home alone to more erotic images was the last thing he wanted to do. Boodles wasn’t far, and the club was always good for dicing or Vingt-et-un, which he could manage one-handed.

“I’m going to stay out for a bit, Nerissa. There’s a hackney waiting at the corner. Take the carriage home and send it back to Boodles on St. James.” She and Abigail lived in a modest townhouse at the edge of Belgravia, not too far from him.

“Be careful, Alastair, and we’ll speak tomorrow.”

With a nod, he ordered his driver to Nerissa’s, and crossed to the empty hackney. Although Curzon Street was perfectly safe, Alastair felt better knowing his walking stick carried a hidden blade.

Once inside, he ordered the driver to St. James Street, settling back against the somewhat musty cushions.

How was it that each time he encountered Miss Merrick, he thought her more beautiful than the last? At Almack’s, she had appeared elegant and somewhat out of reach, but tonight, in that diaphanous gown embroidered with flowers and butterflies, she looked deliciously approachable. He had enjoyed watching the rapid change of emotions across her expressive face, and wondered how he had ever thought her less than stunning.

All night, he had hovered on arousal, stirred by their provocative banter and her delightful response. She was decidedly innocent, but her quickened breath and heightened color revealed she wasn’t immune to his proximity. Their verbal fencing stirred her as much as it did him.

Alastair desperately wanted to kiss her, but that was reaching. While flirting might be acceptable, her family would certainly object if he had anything more in mind. It was unfortunate that the only woman to stir him since Burma was above his touch.