Chapter 32
Thirty-Two
Alec was grateful he and Finn had decided to ride and not stuff themselves into the crowded carriage.
Of course, their decision had prompted Lord Wentworth to insist he must join them, which led to the two younger men essentially acting as spotters to ensure the man kept his seat and stayed in the saddle.
The ladies had generously offered a seat inside the carriage, whenever the gentlemen wished a respite.
Alec had the distinct feeling Lord W. (as his good lady was heard to refer to him as) would be taking them up on the offer.
He was relieved to have Finn riding beside him.
It was a beautiful day. The crush of the city had long been left behind them, and Alec felt as if he could breathe again.
The weather was decidedly warm and the road dusty, but, frankly, he did not care.
He was outside. He was able to keep his own counsel and chew over things.
He occasionally peered in through the open carriage window to see how Marjorie was faring.
She was tucked under Miss Hardcastle’s arm like a chick cozying up to her mama hen, which was a good sign.
The first time he had done so, his affianced had literally jumped.
Good Lord, she wasn’t going to go back to being miss-ish now, was she?
He kept his conversing to the bare minimum, focusing on his daughter.
Truth to tell, he was escaping, as far as one could escape riding beside his to-all-intents-and-purposes betrothed.
He and Miss Hardcastle had greeted each other politely in the early morning hours, which launched their journey.
She had seemed a bit shy again, and he did not press the point, but her face was bright and eager to begin the drive.
The Honorable Miss Wentworth, on the other hand, was coolness personified.
She could not help yawning delicately behind a gloved hand, and her lids drooped fetchingly over those gray eyes.
But she had fluttered her lashes at him and, those times he looked into the carriage, she would shoot him a sidelong and alluring glance.
It was most decidedly odd. Her cool beauty still declared itself his, well, an ideal of what a duchess should look like.
In truth, however, that was as far as it went.
This realization caught him by surprise.
Instead, he was aware of a quiet warmth, deep in his belly, when he caught a glimpse of Miss Hardcastle’s eyes.
Nothing heart-pounding about it; nothing in the least romantic, to be sure.
It was altogether rather prosaic. Yes, that was it.
Prosaic. Except, perhaps when they were dancing.
And that day at Hampton Court. And when she had laid out their terms for marriage…
No, no, this was all about vulgar business and not sentiment.
Yet he was sure of one thing. He did not want those blue eyes looking directly into his.
Except that he did. It was a strong enough pull, that he almost rode over to the carriage’s window again, to see if she would meet his eyes. Yes, deucedly odd.
He looked over at Finn, who felt his glance and turned and gave Alec a wry grin.
His cousin made a gesture with his head, indicating a stopping place would be coming up soon.
Thank God! Or not thank God. Then there would be the need for social pleasantries and conversation.
Where is your head, man? He did not know when he had ever been quite so discomposed.
He let his mind drift back to the day after the proposal.
He had sent his note to Miss Hardcastle and then held a brief conversation with Lord Wentworth to set the dates of their travel.
He had the distinct impression milord had received precise instructions from that household’s general, and Alec was suitably impressed they would be prepared to leave within the next three days.
Of course, Lady Wentworth wished to get the business with Miss Hardcastle over as soon as possible and return to London to ensure she could then settle her own daughter.
Naturally, the Wentworths would travel with Aurora to provide the requisite chaperonage, but Lord Wentworth also made it clear Miss Wentworth would be coming along as well.
The way she kept fluttering her lashes at him; his daughter’s discomfort with the woman— He definitely needed some form of protection or shield or, damnation, someone to have his back to ensure this all went smoothly.
He was therefore pleased by Lord W.’s not-too-subtle suggestion that mayhap the Duke of Galloway might join them on their expedition?
Alec did not let his relief show, however, and made no promises as he bowed himself out of their townhouse that day.
But all had been neatly sorted with Finn, and he had his shield man at hand.
And here Alec was, back to the present moment. With an inn appearing in the distance.
Time to set his mental ramblings aside and become sociable while they took a rest and stretched their legs. Truth to tell, he was getting rather hungry. Time to face the Incomparable. And Miss H. Could he manage to avoid them both?