Chapter 17
It was a glorious day, one as perfect as Felix could have imagined it to be.
Megs was conversing naturally with Lady Sophia; to all appearances, they might have been friends for a long time.
He enjoyed an unhindered view of Lady Sophia, admiring the way she ducked her head when she smiled and the way she spoke firmly to her brother.
He thought his attention had gone unnoticed, but the earl must have caught on to his interest or he would not have played such a prank.
Felix felt sure he had a glimpse of Lady Sophia’s true nature when surrounded by her family, and it only increased his admiration.
Despite his desire to impress her, which he tried to rein in, his prevailing feeling was that of contentment.
Whether she remained silent or spoke a few gentle words, he wanted nothing more than to sit beside her.
He noticed her skill in smoothing over quarrels that sprang up between siblings and thought that some of the MPs could benefit from her talent.
When they had finished eating, Lady Matilda gasped. “I have forgotten about my tarts!” She went over to a basket that sat tipped onto its side and set in the center of the blanket, tentatively removing its cloth. “Oh no, they have been ruined.” She swallowed hard.
Felix leaned over and peered into the basket. “Are those rhubarb tarts? They are some of my favorites. Might I have one?”
Lady Matilda nodded with a trembling smile and used a spoon to serve the crushed pieces of tart onto his plate.
Felix made a show of eating it, smacking his lips loudly, and declaring it delicious.
The others followed his example, and she smiled broadly when he asked if there was enough for him to have a second.
After the meal, they left their picnic in place and went to explore what looked like a path stretching along the bank.
At first, the trail was near nonexistent, but the earl ran ahead to see where it would lead and called back that it was a true path.
As this portion of the bank was on a sharp incline, Felix walked below Lady Sophia to make sure she would not topple down the hill, only to suddenly remember there were three other ladies.
He motioned to Margaret to draw nearer to him, then called out to Lady Sophia’s brother.
“My lord, will you walk at the side of your sisters, so they do not slip? After all, you have brought that staff, and you may as well put it to good use.”
Lord Poole turned back. “I will, if you agree to race me as soon as we all reach the path.”
Felix narrowed his eyes and found where the path began, and as he considered the challenge, a bubble of laughter grew inside of him. Being with the earl reminded him of an age when the greatest worry in life was sports and diversion. “Where to?”
The earl shaded his eyes, then pointed. “That split oak just ahead.”
“What does the winner gain?” Felix asked, entering into the spirit of it.
“It is not what we gain.” Lord Poole grinned, waggling his brows. “It is what the loser must do.”
“And what must the loser do?”
“He must kneel in the dirt and rub each lady’s boots until they shine, then lay down his handkerchief so they might walk over it.” His tone showed what he thought of such indignity.
To the earl this might seem like punishment, but Felix laughed.
“Agreed. Now come and escort your sisters. The price of our race is that you must also assist them on the return.” The earl did his part dutifully until they had all reached the path, where Felix halted.
“We will need someone to signal the start.”
Lady Camilla came up behind him and lifted a small blue reticule attached to her wrist. “I will do it.” Once he and Lord Poole were in place, she lifted it high and looked at them both. “On your marks. Go!”
Her reticule came down and Felix found himself running next to a very agile young man. However, he was not so far beyond youth himself and was determined not to do the earl any favors. Despite his noble intentions, at the very last second, the earl sprinted ahead and touched the oak first.
He laughed, pointing a finger at Felix. “It is a particular trick of mine. You thought I was running as fast as I was able, but I always save up my strength for the very end.”
“I will remember that.” Felix was out of breath and doubled over, leaning on his knees. “You are good at running. I shall not deny you your prize.”
“Well, I must say that for someone old, you acquitted yourself well.”
“Thank you,” Felix replied meekly.
They walked back to where the ladies stood, and Lord Poole wasted no time in folding his arms. “Mr. Harwood, you must now shine the ladies’ boots from the youngest to oldest.”
Felix nodded gravely. “You are very right. I have lost this round and must settle up.” He bent on one knee and whipped out his handkerchief, indicating for the youngest to step forward.
“Lady Matilda, with your permission?” He lifted his eyes and smiled at her, determined that he should not embarrass any of them. She kept her eyes fixed on the toes of her boots, peeping out from the hem of her skirt as he studiously shone the tips. “Is it to your satisfaction?”
She nodded and smiled at him. He lay down his handkerchief so she could walk over it, then shook the dust out of it. Next in line was his sister, and he repeated the procedure, much more at ease since he did not fear impropriety with her. “Is it acceptable, Megaboots?”
“They’re very shiny. I am sorry you must demean yourself so, but I must say you should have run faster.” With a twinkle in her eye, she curtsied primly and walked over his handkerchief.
Lady Camilla allowed him access to the tips of her boots, managing to retain modesty while showing her usual ease of manner. “What did you call your sister?”
Felix looked up at her, having forgotten about the nickname and belatedly regretting any embarrassment he might have caused her. “In this case, it was Megaboots, was it not, Megs? I make up silly names for her.”
“Hundreds of them,” Margaret agreed, laughing. So she had not been embarrassed. “He began it years ago as a way to encourage me to talk.”
“Very clever.” Lady Camilla smiled at his sister, then turned to him. “I am satisfied.”
She moved away before he could lay down his handkerchief, and Lady Sophia stepped up. He looked up at her, conscious of a desire to shower her with every form of gallantry, even kneeling before her and wiping the dust off her boots.
“Your brother must have been a great encouragement to you,” she said to Margaret.
“He is the best brother I could have asked for, and I know my younger sisters would say the same.”
Felix carefully applied the handkerchief to every corner of Lady Sophia’s boots, while she kept her eyes studiously on Margaret. “And how many sisters do you have?”
“I have three, all younger. Felix is my only brother.”
Lady Sophia looked down just as he raised his eyes. As their gazes crossed, his heart went still. “You are very fortunate,” she said, and he felt her smile go right through him.
In some confusion, he busied himself with laying down the handkerchief, but she carefully stepped over it. Then, he shook the dust from it, although it would be good for nothing but the wash. He stood and dusted off his pantaloons, then turned to the young earl.
“Do you declare yourself satisfied?”
“I am, sir. You are a good sport.” The earl saluted him and turned to walk forward, assuming everyone would follow. They did, and Felix found himself at Lady Sophia’s side. After a slight hesitation he asked, “May I give you my arm?” She nodded and slipped her hand around it.
“I wonder if I would not be so shy had I an elder brother to tease me like that. But my father was intimidating, and Evo is much younger.”
Felix looked ahead and saw that Evo had remembered to walk with Lady Matilda.
Lady Camilla and Megs were talking together and appeared to need no assistance.
Although Lady Sophia’s arm felt slender and her touch light, there was strength in the way she held herself that he admired.
He suspected it extended to her character.
“Megs is still rather shy, as I am sure you can perceive. I remember her being more talkative as a girl, but she was only six when my mother died. She changed after that. It deeply affected her.”
Lady Sophia nodded, silent for a moment. “I understand. She is delightful. I am glad she was able to join our picnic.”
“I am glad she was able to meet you,” he said, unable to resist giving her some clue of how he felt. He might not be her equal, but nothing in the way she treated him suggested she regarded it. Instead, she made him feel that he was not only her equal, but even someone of value to her.
She had not responded, and he shifted to look at her.
Her cheeks were pink, and a smile trembled on the corners of her lips, showing that she had received his words as encouragement.
He wanted to say more but even if the temptation to begin an open courtship was strong, common sense dictated he go about it properly.
It was time he made a decision about that house in Russell Square, for a man did not pursue a woman to whom he had nothing to offer.
He was a cautious man and must first review his finances and possible unforeseen expenses one more time to be sure he was making the right decision.
The sight of the watermen standing beside the wherry brought him back to the moment. Lord Poole had run ahead and was now holding his hand next to his mouth so he might be heard.
“It is time to return. Sophia, you had best hurry. You never know if Cunningworth is going to call and press his suit again today. You wouldn’t want to miss it.”
As if by reflex, Felix dropped his arm, somewhat stunned.
She allowed him to release her without looking at him.
Was she still receiving Robert’s addresses?
If she was, then perhaps he had mistaken her kindness for interest. On paper, Robert’s was the better suit, so it should not surprise him if she were seriously entertaining his proposal.
The thought sent a frown to Felix’s brow.
They had arrived at the blankets, and he bent down and reached for it without looking at her.
“Your brother is right. All good things, no matter how delightful, must come to an end.”
The return trip to the boathouse was smoother and quicker, since they traveled with the current.
Felix’s mood had plunged after Lord Poole’s offhand comment, and the thought of Robert still pursuing Lady Sophia cast a pall over an otherwise delightful afternoon.
But then, he tried to remind himself, even if Robert called on her and attempted to persuade her into a match, it did not follow that she must accept it.
Perhaps she was not interested in Robert.
When they reached the boathouse, Felix went to help Lady Sophia and her sisters and his out of the boat. Their carriages were waiting for them, and he sidled up to Lord Poole as the servants came to secure the baskets.
“My lord, I was wondering if I might borrow this wooden stick of yours for a short spell? I promise to return it to you before long.”
The earl handed it to him without a fuss. “It is yours for as long as you need it.”
“Thank you.” Felix was a little surprised that his request garnered no questions but was thankful that Lord Poole did not ask why.
He wished to keep his character secret for the masquerade.
He handed the staff to the servant he had hired for the short trip and went to assist Lady Sophia and her sisters into their carriage.
When he did so, he held her hand in his.
“We will ride beside you to Grosvenor Square and see that you are safely returned home.”
She murmured her thanks, and he went to help his sister into the carriage, leaning back against the squabs as the driver directed the horses forward. He closed his eyes, refusing to dwell on Robert’s intentions toward Lady Sophia. His sister was quiet beside him.
“Well, Meg-pearl, you can now say you have met an earl. What do you think of him?”
He heard her soft laughter. “He is not intimidating in the least!” After a short pause, she added, “Although, I could not say the same if he were a man grown. Even if we had already become acquainted, I think he would intimidate me if he were much older.”
Felix smiled, his eyes still closed, and did not return a comment. His thoughts continued on their own trajectory, an unlikely, though hoped-for, scenario presenting itself. But would he still intimidate you, should he be your brother-in-law? he wondered.