Desperately Seeking Suzanna by Elizabeth Michels

did she not want to see him? Had he taken things too far with her on their first night together? Had he overwhelmed her? If so, it was no reason to avoid him. He could slow things a bit. He could give her one more evening to become accustomed to his presence before he allowed things to progress further between them. But he couldn’t even offer her that courtesy if she wouldn’t see him.
    “Traveling ill? Oh no, she must be feeling much better.” Isabelle shot a look at Victoria that insisted on her agreement.
    “I’m happy to hear it.” Holden needed answers. Facts! Truth! “Do you know her destination this morning? I would like to offer my appreciation for the dance last evening.”
    Isabelle opened her mouth to speak but clamped it shut again with a barely audible whimper.
    Holden waited. His gaze turned to Victoria.
    She pondered him for a moment before moving to shut the parlor door. Turning back to their conversation, she held the look of a man of business settling into a large stack of papers. “I’m sure Suzanna will be pleased to know you called upon her.” Her voice was smooth as she spoke. This was no doubt the oiled tone she used to lure helpless men into some trap. “You know, Lord Steelings, our Suzanna can be a bit shy at times. I have no doubt it was nervousness that drove her away today. However, my sister and I would like to assist you.”
    “We would?” Isabelle asked.
    “Yes, Isabelle, of course we would,” Victoria admonished with a false laugh.
    “Oh. Yes, we would,” Isabelle agreed with a nod of her head, causing her ringlets to bounce all around her.
    “I’m sure I don’t require your assistance.” In no way did he want to be entangled with these two identical terrors. He could find Suzanna on his own. It would be difficult, yet dealing with these ladies was proving to be arduous as well. He would take his chances.
    “We know Suzanna’s schedule for the season.” She raised a hand and began ticking off fingers. “Which balls she will attend, the parties and gatherings where she can be found, even what color gown she will be wearing. Are you sure you don’t require our assistance?”
    Damn. He did need their assistance. “Why would you offer this?”
    “For Suzanna. You see, Suzanna has left…a string of gentlemen behind her. She’s ever so desirable—as you well know—but alas, she runs when things turn serious.”
    “This is not serious!” Did they think this would involve marriage? Because that would not happen!
    “I didn’t mean to imply that it was, my lord, only that we wish to see her happy. And with her scampering away when any kind and well-respected gentleman, like you, becomes interested…” She shook her head in despair while artfully pursing her lips. “I’m sure you can see the issue. What Suzanna needs is to be…made to stay put, chased down when she tries to flee…trapped, if you will.”
    “Trapped? But Victoria…” Isabelle shot a shocked look at her sister, which Victoria quickly dismissed.
    His reaction was much the same as Isabelle’s. Why would Suzanna’s friend wish such a thing on her? However, if Suzanna had a history of running from gentlemen, he could see the issue with that, assuming these girls wanted to see their friend married. But still, trapped?
    He shook his head. “I don’t wish to trap her.”
    Perhaps that wasn’t the most honest statement he’d ever made. Right now, with the memory of her still on his skin, he did wish to trap her—only not in the sense these ladies envisioned. Ladies’ ideas of trapping usually involved a leg shackle of some kind, which wasn’t nearly as much fun as what he had in mind.
    “Capture, then? Find?” Victoria waved an impatient hand through the air. “Whatever the terminology you wish to use, my lord, we can help you achieve that end.”
    He should say no, damn it all. He didn’t trust these ladies, especially Victoria with her sly grin and man-eater eyes. However, they knew how