Chapter Four #3
“Gorgeous. Someone put a lot of thought into the layout and arrangement of the colors,” Lucien said.
“I believe Lord Hightower’s grandmother was the one responsible for laying everything out. She also had a passion for flowers like you.”
“She did a fine job. These roses have been well taken care of. Some of them are quite old,” he replied.
They continued to get a view from another angle. From what she could tell, Lucien was fascinated by what he saw. He was respectful of the beds and the gardeners’ hard work and didn’t leave the path.
His brow arched and he stepped back beside her. “Lady Harriet, I thoroughly enjoy your company and would like to call on you again. I was thinking a ride through Hyde Park tomorrow. Does that suit you?”
Looking up at him, Harriet thought she was going to have to pinch herself to make sure this was real. “I like your company as well, and yes, I’d love to go to Hyde Park.”
She saw a hint of a smile on his handsome face. “Wonderful. I understand there are hot air balloons there as well. Have you ever seen one up close?”
Shaking her head, Harriet responded, “No, I’ve never seen them on the ground. Only in the air. I find the concept of flying fascinating, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever been in one?” she asked.
“No, but I would go if the circumstances were right. I still have some reservations about how safe they really are.”
She smiled at him fondly. There was something going on here, between them. No man had ever paid this much attention to her nor seemed to care what she said. He definitely listened to what she said.
“I look forward to seeing them with you,” she replied.
His lips formed a smile. “As much as I’m enjoying this time with you, I don’t want to overstay. Let me return you to your cousin and I will take my leave until tomorrow.”
“Very well. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you as well.”
They walked back to the terrace and into the drawing room. As soon as they entered Sam could be heard squawking on his perch. Sam wouldn’t be Sam if he didn’t share his love of curse words.
“A bloody man!”
Harriet walked towards the macaw. “Yes, Sam, a man. His name is Lord Lucien, so be nice to him.”
“Sam nice. Sam bloody nice. To man.”
Lucien neared Sam and Harriet while Daphne sat in the background with her embroidery. “Nice to meet you, Sam. You’re a handsome fellow.”
“Sam bloody handsome.”
“Yes, you are,” Lucien replied. He turned in Daphne’s direction. “I would like to take Lady Harriet to see the balloons in Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon, if that meets your approval.”
Daphne smiled broadly. “Yes, I approve. Hyde Park is always a nice place to go.”
“Yes, it is,” Lucien replied.
“Sam go.” The parrot had gotten off his perch and was now walking across the floor, flapping his wings much to everyone’s amusement.
“Where are you going, Sam?” Daphne asked.
“Mama! Sam go.”
“He’s quite entertaining, isn’t he?” Lucien stated.
“Yes, he is. He loves being the center of attention,” Daphne said with an amused look on her face.
“Who taught him to swear?”
“My father got him for me, and he already knew how to talk. We assume he probably learned from sailors on the ship,” Daphne replied.
“Most likely. Sailors are notorious for their colorful language,” Lucien said.
“He makes quite the conversation piece when we have visitors,” Harriet said.
“Though a lot of the ladies are scared of him,” Daphne said with a grin and added, “They think he’s vulgar.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Lucien added.
“He’s very smart. He’ll walk on the floor looking until he finds Daphne,” Harriet said.
Lucien chuckled imagining the sight. “I can see where that would terrify them.”
They spoke among themselves for a few more minutes about Sam and childhood pets they’d all had. Finally, Lucien took his leave. He had spent way more time than was appropriate for a first visit, but no one seemed to mind.
“Thank you for a lovely time. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” he said to Harriet. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. Something Harriet was sure had her face blushing the deepest red.
“I enjoyed getting to know more about you, Lord Lucien, and I too look forward to our outing tomorrow.”
She sighed quietly as he left the room. Harriet felt like her heart was going to burst at any time, she was so full of joy that this man seemed to have an interest in her.
Not only was he going to call on her again tomorrow, but he was taking her somewhere very public.
If he had any hesitation about being seen with her, he would have suggested they stay here.
Instead, they were going to take a ride through Hyde Park. It would be impossible not to be seen.
“I think Lord Lucien will be calling on you on a regular basis after today,” Daphne said with a lopsided grin.
“You don’t think it’s too soon, do you?” Harriet asked.
“No, not at all. You go and enjoy your time with him,” Daphne replied.
“I will.”
Things this season, at least so far, were quite different from last year’s disaster.
Men were actually talking to her and dancing with her.
She was beginning to believe it was because her mother wasn’t around to embarrass her.
The tacky dresses, the condescending remarks, the general interference by her mother in every move she made.
Now she felt relaxed and more confident.
Oh, her mother did love her in her own strange way, but Harriet found out in a short time, her life was better without being constantly put down or treated like she couldn’t think for herself.
This was going to be her time, her year. No one was going to tell her otherwise.
“Harriet?”
Harriet looked around and saw Daphne looking at her, so she nodded. “Yes? I’m sorry my mind was elsewhere.”
“I would say so. I just asked you if you’d like to accompany me to the orphanage? A few of us ladies are meeting at the one outside Whitehall. From there we’ll take a tour.”
“Ordinarily I would, but I need to see what I have that might work as an ensemble for when Lord Lucien calls tomorrow,” Harriet replied.
“Yes, you do want to look your best. You can join us next time.”
“Thank you. I promise to accompany you the next meeting.”
Daphne stood. “I’m going to get ready to go.”
“Yes. I’m going upstairs to go through my dresses and choose something for tomorrow. I want to try it on to make sure nothing needs to be adjusted and that it fits as it should.”
Harriet’s mind went directly to a peach-colored confection she had brought from her parents’ home.
It was one of the least offensive dresses her mother insisted she have made.
It was plain, but with some jewelry and perhaps a scarf it might be perfect for her outing.
She’d never worn it so today was perfect to try it and others on to see what might work.
She was glad Daphne was so understanding.
Her mother would have dragged her to the meeting kicking and screaming.
Harriet knew she would never have done either of those things, but it was nice to know she had that choice.