Secrets of a Runaway Bride (19 page)

Annie glanced away self-consciously. But some devil on her shoulder prompted her. “If you think my driving is good, my lord, you should see me shoot a pistol.”

CHAPTER 24

This time, when Jordan went looking for her, Annie was speaking to Mrs. Phillips, the housekeeper. “But if you change the delivery to twice a week instead of once, the greens will be fresher and—”

Jordan crossed his arms over his chest and cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Mrs. Phillips jumped and Annie twirled around to face him.

“My lord,” Mrs. Phillips said, curtsying. “Miss Andrews was just giving me some advice on the deliveries from the farmers.”

“I can see that.”

Annie smoothed her hands down her skirts. “I suppose it’s time for my next introduction.”

He smiled. “Indeed.”

“I’ll be back soon, Mrs. Phillips, and then we may discuss the pantries. I hope you do not mind but I took a look and I have some ideas on organization that I think you may like.”

Mrs. Phillips smiled. “Oh, I should like that very much.”

“How do you know so much about the pantries?” Jordan asked as he escorted Annie from the room.

“Why, back when we had little money, Mary and I used to come up with the most creative ways to stretch the stores,” she admitted with a giggle. “Lily never thought I understood how bad it was, but we made a game out of it, Mary and I. It was quite enjoyable, actually.”

Jordan shook his head. He was not quite sure how Annie had managed to charm both the gardener and the housekeeper in the space of three days, but it seemed she had.

He smirked at her insistence that she would be back soon. She clearly wasn’t taking these little meetings with his brothers seriously. Fine, perhaps inviting Michael had been a mistake. His youngest brother was still a bit too distracted yet to settle down. But Timothy was a respectable twenty-seven, had a fine income from their mother’s side of the family, and he was, thankfully, not entirely preoccupied with sports.

Jordan thought about their outing the day before with the tandem team. She was a skilled horsewoman. He’d been completely sincere about that, but he couldn’t shake the thoughts about the other things she’d said.
I was the younger daughter, not beautiful, not talented. Absolutely nothing remarkable about me
. It made Jordan want to hit something. Annie was beautiful and talented and there were a great many things remarkable about her. Her father had been a complete idiot to tell her anything different.

Why, the girl had managed to elude Jordan on more than one occasion, was a gardener, obviously a skilled organizer, and a talented rider. And as for her beauty, he couldn’t believe anyone, especially her own father, had ever been foolish enough to suggest she was plain. He couldn’t credit the notion that anyone had said it, and he certainly couldn’t understand why she seemed to refuse to believe him when he’d tried to tell her differently. It made no sense. And whoever the boy was who’d confirmed her suspicions, why, he’d like to wring the little blighter’s neck.

Annie was lovely, intelligent, and talented. She’d be the perfect choice of wife for someone in the market for such a companion, and his brother Timothy would be a fool not to recognize it. Damn it.

*   *   *

Timothy Holloway looked like a lighter-haired version of his eldest brother. He was tall and lean whereas Jordan was a bit more solidly built, but Timothy was very handsome nonetheless.

The introductions were handled much the same way as the previous day, but this time Annie spoke up sooner.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Holloway, but I think you should know, your brother is attempting to play matchmaker.”

Timothy blinked nearly as many times as his younger brother had the day before.

He glanced at Jordan, his brow wrinkled. “Matchmaker?”

Jordan shrugged. “I merely thought the two of you might … find something in common. You know? If you got to know each other a bit.”

Annie hid her smile and poor Timothy looked as if he’d just swallowed a bug.

“Oh, no. No. No,” he said, backing up a bit. “And please do not be offended, Miss Andrews, because you seem quite lovely, but … well … that’s one of the reasons I came out to visit today, Jordan. I wanted to tell you I’ve met a young lady in town, Miss Agnes Wintergale. I intend to offer for her.”

Annie plopped down into a nearby chair and watched with unmitigated glee while the two brothers discussed Timothy’s future bride.

“I must say I think Lord Ashbourne has taken this news quite well,” Annie finally said with a grin.

“What do you mean?” Jordan asked, eyeing her warily.

She directed her words toward Timothy. “It’s just that your brother doesn’t seem to be a proponent of marriage and certainly not love. Yet you sound as if you are a man in love, Mr. Holloway. Congratulations to you.”

Timothy nodded and smiled at her. “Thank you very much. I must admit I am that.”

“I do not condemn marriage for others,” Jordan replied, his eyes narrowed on her. “I am merely uninterested myself.”

“And convinced you know who should marry whom,” she added. “Lest we forget. Indeed, have you met Miss Wintergale? How can you be sure she meets with your rigorous approval?”

“I’m sure she’s a lovely young woman,” Jordan ground out, while Timothy eyed them both curiously.

“I see,” she continued. “So your standards are different for your own brother than, say, for someone you barely know?” She batted her eyelashes at him sweetly.

“Jordan’s been in love,” Timothy finally inserted into the conversation. “It’s just that Georgi—”

“Enough,” Jordan snapped, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

Timothy promptly shut his mouth, and Annie raised her eyebrows. Ah, so the mysterious woman was named Georgi-something? Interesting. Why, if she continued to meet Lord Ashbourne’s brothers, she just might learn all of his secrets. It was enough to nearly make her look forward to the next matchmaking attempt.

In the end, congratulations were issued all around and Annie was left with the feeling that both of the youngest Holloway men were quite jovial and friendly compared with their older brother.

“I wish you and Miss Wintergale every happiness,” she said to Timothy as he took his leave.

After Timothy’s coach was on its way back to London, Jordan turned to Annie. “My apologies. I had no idea Tim had taken an interest in a young lady already or I obviously would not have introduced you.”

“Obviously,” she replied, inclining her head. “Don’t worry. I didn’t take offense at all. He seems quite nice. And he’s fallen in love. What a wonderful thing.” She beamed.

Jordan shook his head and then nodded resolutely. “Blast it, Charlie will be here in two days, and I
know
he doesn’t fancy anyone. I just spoke with him last week.”

Annie crossed her arms over her chest. “It’ll be something,” she assured him.

“What are you expecting?”

“I don’t know. Anything. For instance, are you quite sure Charlie’s interests lie with females?”

Jordan’s eyes narrowed on her. “I’m
quite
sure.”

“Very well, then, I look forward to meeting him, as I have all your brothers.” She smiled at him. “For now, I’ll just pop back into the kitchens to speak with Mrs. Phillips.” Annie patted Jordan on the arm, turned, and flounced away. As she left, she tossed over her shoulder, “Don’t despair. They say the third time is the charm, do they not?”

Jordan grunted.

CHAPTER 25

The next day, Jordan left off his business early on purpose. Dismissing his steward, he gathered up his ledgers and tossed his quill aside. He leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms behind his head. For the first time in … well, ages, he was feeling restless, bored. His time in the city was usually full of pursuits of pleasure and his time in the country more often than not full of hard work on his lands and ledgers, meeting with his solicitor and steward. It had always been more than enough to keep him occupied, but today he felt … agitated.

Damn that fool Michael and his silly love of betting on horses. Jordan had been convinced Michael and Annie would make a fine pair. And damn himself for not realizing Tim had taken an interest in Miss Wintergale. Fine. Jordan would take the responsibility for that mistake. But no harm done after all, and Charlie would be here tomorrow.

Charlie. His brother was whip-smart and had a knack for insight into human character. Yes, Charlie was sure to see Annie’s merits right away. No doubt the two of them would be engaged before the month was out. Perhaps even married by Christmas. A Christmas wedding would be perfect. So why did the thought make Jordan uneasy? And why had he breathed a bit of a sigh of relief when Michael and Timothy had been uninterested?

Damn it. He scrubbed his hands across his face. And rolled his head on his neck. He’d been working too hard, that was all. He just needed to go outside and get some fresh air. Do something. Have a bit of sport.

Jordan pushed himself from his chair and strolled out of his study. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he made his way to the kitchens.

“Is Miss Andrews here?” he asked Mrs. Phillips, who was busily inventorying the pantry.

She glanced up at him, a surprised look on her face. “No, my lord. I haven’t seen her today. But I’m busily making her changes to the pantries. She had
such
good advice.”

Jordan smiled at that. Annie, it seemed, was full of surprises. Her parents must have paid her education some attention, if not the girl herself. She had obviously been raised to be the lady of a grand house. Another reason throwing herself away on Arthur Eggleston made no sense.

Jordan thanked Mrs. Phillips and wandered out into the gardens where Mr. McGivens was busy planting spring bulbs. “Have you seen Miss Andrews today?” he asked the gardener.

Mr. McGivens shook his head. “I’m sorry, my lord. I have not,” he replied. “But she was perfectly right about these flowers. They’ll be downright eye-catching come spring.”

Jordan mumbled something in the affirmative and walked away.

He found her in the stables. She was playing with the puppies the springer spaniel had just given birth to days before.

“You shall be named Duchess,” she said to one of the small bits of fur. “Because it is obvious that you are in charge here and you are a very grand lady indeed.” She laughed as the puppy named Duchess pushed over another one of the puppies with her tiny, black nose.

“What would your fox think of this rival for your affections?” Jordan asked from his place several paces away, leaning against the wooden door frame.

Annie glanced up quickly. She pulled the puppy to her chest and laughed a self-conscious little laugh. “Oh, Dash isn’t jealous, to be sure, but I’ve no doubt Evans is spoiling him right now. I’ve long suspected Evans loves him as much as I do, if you want to know the truth.”

Jordan laughed. He made his way over to where Annie sat. Pulling one hand out of his pocket, he scooped up a puppy and cradled it to his chest. “How are they?” he asked, gesturing to the litter.

“They seem healthy and happy to me,” she answered, standing up and brushing the straw from her pink skirts.

Jordan nodded and stood up, too. “I’m glad to hear it. How is Aunt Clarissa enjoying herself?”

“You just missed her, actually. She came out to visit the puppies not long ago. Then she said something about being a bit … thirsty.”

Jordan smiled at that. “I see.”

Annie kicked at the straw with her slipper and the silence drew out uncomfortably between them. “Wh … what brings you to the stables?” she finally managed to ask. “Your brother isn’t expected until tomorrow. Has he arrived early?”

“No,” Jordan replied, mirroring her action and kicking at the dirt with his top boot. “I came to … Would you like to go shooting?”

“Shooting?” Her eyebrows rose.

“Yes,” he said, smiling. “You did boast of your skill, did you not? I’ve been looking forward to witnessing it.”

A smile spread across Annie’s face. “Then by all means, let’s go shooting.”

“Excellent. I’ll meet you by the edge of the meadow at half past.”

Annie nodded. “See you then.”

*   *   *

By the time Annie wandered out to the meadow, a bull’s-eye had been set up across the field near a willow tree and a table that held an assortment of pistols rested in the soft grass. Jordan stood next to it, looking as handsome as ever. His statement earlier that he’d been looking forward to seeing her shoot had done funny things to her insides. And when he’d walked away, she’d watched him go and tried to ignore the way his backside filled out his breeches so well.

Oh, it was ludicrous, the thoughts she was having. Completely ludicrous. And she needed to stop. Now.

Annie sauntered over to where Jordan stood and surveyed the pistols. “I must warn you, I’m very competitive,” she said.

He flashed her a knee-weakening grin. “And I must warn you, I’ve been asked to be the second in a great many duels.”

Annie’s eyes went wide. “My, you must have seen some scandalous sights.”

“I’ve seen too many fools get too angry too quickly.”

It struck her memory then. Jordan had shot Gilbert Winfrey, the head of the London underworld, as he rode off after firing at Devon. Winfrey had been riding a horse on a dark street in the middle of a foggy night and Jordan’s shot had been flawless. Devon often remarked on how fine a marksman his friend was. Even Arthur had mentioned it.

Suddenly, Annie felt very foolish indeed to be challenging him. It was true she’d been a good enough shot among the groomsmen at her parents’ stable. But she couldn’t compare herself to Jordan, one of the
ton
’s most renowned marksmen. What had she been thinking?

“Would you like to go first?” Jordan asked, and Annie swallowed.

“No!”

“What? Why?”

“I was just now thinking how good you are at this.”

“Second thoughts on challenging me?” He winked at her and Annie’s insides flipped.

“Something like that.” She bit her lip. “You go first.”