My Wicked Little Lies. Victoria Alexander

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СКАЧАТЬ evening, Adrian. Evelyn, how wonderful to see you.” Portia kissed Evelyn’s cheek and spoke low into her ear. “Save me.”

      Evelyn widened her eyes. “From what?”

      A waiter handed them each a glass of champagne. Portia downed hers in scarcely more than a swallow. “Aunt Helena, of course.” She turned to Adrian. “Your mother is in rare form tonight, Cousin. Every time I turn around, she is introducing me to yet another candidate for my hand. All of whom seem to think the way to my heart is by stepping on my feet and clutching me entirely too tightly in the guise of dancing.” Portia lowered her voice in a confidential manner. “One more dance and I daresay I shall be crippled for life. As my favorite cousin, I beg of you to rescue me.”

      “Your favorite, you say?” He eyed her skeptically. “I thought Sebastian was your favorite?”

      Portia huffed. “Sebastian is my favorite youngest male cousin. You are my favorite oldest male cousin.”

      He bit back a smile. “And Hugh?”

      “Hugh is my favorite ...” She searched for the right word. “Barrister cousin, yes, that’s it.” Desperation sounded in her voice. “Now will you help me?”

      “What do you want me to do?” Adrian said cautiously. No doubt growing up with seven siblings had taught him not to agree to anything they asked without sufficient information.

      “Would you be so good as to drive me home?” She peered past them into the crowd. “Now if you please. Before Aunt Helena returns with yet another victim in tow.” She shuddered. “I have had quite enough.”

      “I am sorry, Portia.” Sympathy coursed through Evelyn. “But we have scarcely been here any time at all. Leaving now would be considered most impolite.”

      “Nonsense.” Portia scoffed. “You don’t even like Lady Dunwell. Not that I blame you,” she added quickly.

      “If you could manage to survive for, oh, say another hour or so ...” Adrian glanced at his wife.

      Evelyn nodded. That should give her enough time. “That would be sufficient, I think. Another hour wouldn’t make it appear as though we were eager to leave.”

      “Not that we aren’t,” Adrian muttered, then smiled at his cousin. “And then we would be delighted to see you home.”

      Portia groaned. “In another hour or so, your mother will have me married with a dozen children.”

      Adrian choked back a laugh.

      Portia glared. “It’s not the least bit amusing.”

      “Of course not, dear.” Evelyn patted the younger woman’s arm.

      Adrian cleared his throat. “My apologies.” He studied his cousin. “I thought you wanted to marry again.”

      “Indeed, I do. But I wish to marry someone who is not thrust at me. As if he were a canary and I was a ... a ... a hungry cat!” Indignation sounded in her voice. “I am perfectly capable of finding a husband on my own.”

      “Not thus far,” Adrian said under his breath.

      Evelyn cast him a chastising frown.

      Portia ignored him, her brow furrowed in thought. “However, this is an exceptionally large and pretentious house. Perhaps I can find a peaceful place to, well, hide until you are ready to depart.”

      Excellent! Evelyn nodded. “And the least I can do is help you find a suitable spot.”

      “A parlor perhaps?” Portia thought for a moment. “Surely they have a music room? I know there’s a conservatory. Or a library?”

      “No,” Evelyn said quickly. “You never know who might show up in a library. But a parlor is an excellent idea.”

      “It’s rather cowardly, though, don’t you think?” Adrian said mildly. “Hiding from Mother, that is.”

      “Yes. And I don’t care.” Portia glared at her cousin. “Thus far this evening I have been presented to one gentleman who was not looking so much for a wife as a mother for his herd of children and another who, well, let us simply say he was not to my liking.”

      “Judging on appearances, Portia?” Adrian shook his head in a disappointed manner. “I never imagined you were that shallow.”

      “Stop teasing her, dear,” Evelyn said under her breath. The banter and teasing—some of which struck her as altogether too pointed—between the Hadley-Attwater siblings never failed to amaze her. It was as if they could say very nearly anything to one another yet it never affected their feelings for each other. She quite envied them. She hoped her children would share that same sort of bond.

      “I simply want someone who stands taller than my chin,” Portia said sharply. “I do not think I am asking for the moon.”

      “Perhaps not.” Amusement gleamed in Adrian’s eyes.

      “As for my shallow nature, I am more than willing to debate that with you at another time.” Portia cast Evelyn a pleading look. “Now, I think we should—”

      “Too late, I fear,” Adrian said, gazing over Portia’s head.

      Portia groaned. Evelyn peered around her. Helena was bearing down on them, accompanied by a fair-haired gentleman. Well, well. Portia certainly couldn’t complain about the appearance of this candidate. He appeared to be an appropriate age and was most dashing as well.

      “Adrian!” Helena beamed at her son. “And Evelyn. So lovely to see you both. I had no idea you would be here tonight.”

      “Nor did we, Mother.” Adrian kissed her cheek.

      “Nonetheless, I am most gratified to see you here.” Helena lowered her voice. “It’s a most influential gathering.”

      “Helena.” Evelyn cast a pointed glance at the gentleman standing patiently a step behind the older woman.

      “Oh dear, where are my manners?” Helena sighed. “The bane of growing older, I suppose.” She turned to the victim. “May I present my son and daughter-in-law, Lord and Lady Waterston. And this”—a flourish sounded in Helena’s voice—“is my niece, Lady Redwell. Portia, this is Mr. Sayers.”

      “Ah, yes.” Mr. Sayers took Portia’s hand and raised it to his lips, his gaze never leaving hers. It was as polished as it was flattering. Amusement quirked his lips. “The widow.”

      Portia smiled weakly. “I see my aunt has been talking to you.”

      “Oh my, yes.” Satisfaction rang in Helena’s voice. “It seems I went to school with Mr. Sayers’s mother. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to remember her, but then it was a very long time ago. Once again, you have my apologies, Mr. Sayers.”

      “None are necessary, Lady Waterston,” he said smoothly. “As you said, it was a very long time ago.”

      “Still, it is impolite and most annoying.” Helena sighed. “My memory is not what it used to be. Yet another distressing result СКАЧАТЬ