To Distraction Read Online Free PDF Page A

Miss Pilborough. They’re both keen riders.”
    Mr. Hinckley and Mrs. Hildebrand turned eagerly to scan the guests. Leonora looked distinctly less keen.
    Before she could initiate any conversational gambit to try to hold Deverell, Phoebe took charge. “I believe you wished to speak with Mr. Mellors, Paignton. He’s just over there.” She smiled brightly at the other three. “If you’ll excuse us?”
    Everyone murmured politely. Parting from them, she steered Deverell toward the group that included Peter Mellors—along with his ravishingly beautiful sister, Deidre.
    Obviously, Leonora didn’t suit; she’d have to find some other young lady to catch Deverell’s eye.
    And deflect it from her.
    She had far too much going on in her life to have a potential suitor dogging her heels. Especially one like him.
    She’d recalled he was, or had been, involved with the military, or the army—the authorities in some guise. A number of her regular activities were of debatable legality; having Deverell peering over her shoulder…just the thought made her shiver.
    With apprehension. She was sure it was that.
    Deidre had been keeping a surreptitious eye on Deverell; she turned and smiled delightedly as they neared, and quickly shifted to make space for them beside her.
    Phoebe adjusted her approach so that Deverell had no option but to stand next to Deidre. She waited until everyone had finished exchanging greetings, then caught Peter Mellors’s eye. “Peter dear, I’ve been extolling your knowledge of the house and surrounds to Viscount Paignton. He hasn’t visited here before and needs to find his way about.”
    Peter grinned good-naturedly. He nodded to Deverell. “Just ask away, old man. Happy to help.”
    Deverell smiled easily. “I’ve already found the billiard room.”
    “Ah, well. Most important room in the house.” Peter winked. “We—well, most of the gentlemen—usually gather after dinner for a few rounds.”
    “After doing your duty in the drawing room, I hope!” Mrs. Morrison, a formidable matron, eyed Peter with mock censure, sure to become real if he didn’t respond appropriately.
    Peter’s grin was irrepressible. “Of course,” he vowed. “That’s understood.”
    “It better be.” Mrs. Morrison faced Deverell. “The last thing we want is to find you gentlemen deserting us.”
    “With such a coterie of fascinating ladies, I can’t imagine you’ll endure such a fate.” His glib answer, delivered with a charming smile and a hand over his heart, had Mrs. Morrison’s lips twitching.
    “We’ll see.” After an instant’s hesitation, she inquired, “Are you intending to remain for the entire four days?”
    “That is my intention.”
    “Unless you’re called away, of course.” Deidre Mellors, an exquisitely beautiful young lady with glossy brown hair, shifted to draw his attention her way.
    He obliged, but remained more aware of Phoebe on his other side, quietly observing, than of Miss Mellors’s lovely hazel eyes.
    Eyes she deployed shamelessly. “I understand your new estates are in Devon. It must be quite fatiguing, learning all the ropes when you hadn’t expected to inherit.”
    “It hasn’t been as difficult as it might have been. There were excellent staff in place—they helped me pick up the reins.”
    “I expect you’ll be spending the summer down there.”
    “I hadn’t really thought.” Although conscious of Deidre’s eager expression, registering it and smiling in response, his attention had locked on Phoebe as she turned to speak with Mrs. Morrison; he couldn’t hear what she was saying. “There’s a few matters I need to settle before I retire for the summer.”
    “Indeed?” Deidre’s eyes lit.
    With an easy, yet noncommittal, faintly vague smile in place, he glanced at Peter Mellors. “Is there much shooting in the vicinity?”
    Peter pulled a face. “Not much game at this time of year, but”—he glanced at Edgar Thomas, standing beside him—“we