Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero by Ginny Hartman Page A

trying to focus on his words. “You have probably heard by now that Marcus left for Brackingham Abbey?”
    “I had heard that he was considering the possibility. He’s hoping to buy himself some extra time before you choose his bride.”
    “Yes, that is part of it. I also think part of his reason was to go and try to convince his father to discourage Warren’s pursuit of Miss Graham. He’s furious that I chose his sister for Warren.”
    “I can’t say that I blame him. What were you thinking? You knew he’d be livid. And how do you expect Warren to feel about marrying someone who is practically a sister to him?”
    Benedict steepled his hands together, resting his chin on his fingers. “I don’t believe that Warren views her as merely a sister.”
    Griffin scoffed. “How could he not? He has known her since she was in the schoolroom, her hair still in braids. Besides, she is nearly eight years his junior.”
    “So is my wife, and Lady Adel is seven years your junior. Age is just a number, Griffin.”
    “Perhaps. I suppose I should be grateful that at the very least, you did not choose someone for me who is practically family.”
    “Precisely. You should be infinitely grateful. And I think that Marcus will come around eventually. When he sees how happy they will be together, he will have to admit that my matchmaking skills are superb.”
    “Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. You do not have any successes as of yet.”
    “Nor will I, if you plan on hanging around my study all day instead of calling on your intended.” Benedict’s eyes scanned the clock sitting on the mantel. “I suggest you go call on Lady Adel while you still have time.”
    Griffin rose from the chair, replacing the paper on the desk. “If you insist.”
    “Oh, but I do.”
    Griffin chose to walk to Lady Adel’s townhouse at St. James’s Square, since it wasn’t far from Benedict’s own residence. He used the time alone to think about his predicament. He felt utterly foolish continuing his pursuit of the chit when she had clearly rejected him more than once.
    The minute the butler led him into the parlor decorated in shades of blue, he regretted showing up empty handed. Several bouquets of flowers decorated the room, indicating the amount of callers the two sisters had accepted so far. He wanted to kick himself for not being more thoughtful.
    He bowed before Aunt Tabitha and Lady Katherine before allowing his eyes to settle on Lady Adel. A sliver of sun filtered in from the window behind her, illuminating her auburn hair, making it appear a vibrant reddish hue. His eyes scanned her face and noticed that the dark smudges under her eyes had all but disappeared.
    He bowed before her and rose. “I take it you had your cook prepare you a posset?”
    “I might have,” she answered vaguely, seemingly uninterested in his visit.
    Griffin suddenly felt the inquiring eyes of Aunt Tabitha and Lady Katherine upon him, and he felt awkward. He wanted to speak to her about Mrs. Tiddlyswan’s gossip column and gauge her reaction, but he didn’t want to do that with an audience. Instead, he blurted out, “Would you like to go riding with me in Hyde Park?”
    “Right now?” she asked him, a curious look on her face.
    Griffin remembered that his carriage was still parked at Benedict’s and quickly replied, “I will come for you in a quarter of an hour.”
    Lady Adel glanced towards her aunt, her face unreadable. No doubt she was hoping that her aunt would refuse her permission, but thankfully, she did not.
    “You better send your maid to fetch your pelisse. I would hate for you to catch a chill,” Aunt Tabitha said by way of response.
    Lady Adel turned towards him hesitantly. “I will be ready soon.”
    Griffin said his goodbyes and left quickly. He knew he would have to walk swiftly if he wished to get back to Benedict’s and retrieve his carriage in time to not keep Lady Adel waiting. He desperately hoped that their ride