Chapter Six #3
Their next meeting happened sooner than later, for when she arrived at the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Turnbill, Drake’s coach was parked along the side of the street.
He exited his coach at the same time she stepped out of her carriage.
Not only did the flutters erupt in her stomach, but her heart started hammering so hard it caused her breath to stall.
Her mind was in chaos, too. Wondering if Rosemary had said that Drake was also invited tonight.
Meridith couldn’t remember if the Duchess had or not, but it made sense now that she thought about it, because Drake was their friend.
‘Good evening,’ he said, approaching her.
‘Hello,’ she replied. ‘I hope you don’t mind that Rosemary invited me to dinner, as well.’
‘Of course not.’ He offered his elbow to escort her to the door.
She laid a hand on his arm and held her breath at the warmth that raced up from her palm and entered her entire being. The way he made her feel was almost alarming, while also being exciting enough to make her short of breath.
‘You and Rosemary have become fast friends,’ he said.
‘She’s very likeable,’ Meridith replied, but was thinking of him as much as she was the duchesses.
That had to be the explanation for the way he made her feel: he was just so very likeable.
His extension of friendship was the first one she’d had in a long time, and the first from a male that she’d had since childhood.
Even back then, she hadn’t had many friends, because she hadn’t needed them.
She’d had her father, and they’d done so many things together.
And ever since his death, though her family had claimed they wanted her to have friends, their focus had only been on finding her a husband.
It was good to have a friend. Rather than questioning her warm feelings towards Drake, she should be embracing them.
‘How was your afternoon?’ he asked as they walked towards the front door of the large brick home.
‘Well, Peter is anxious for me to find out when rides will be offered on Hugo again. He would like his children to experience it.’
‘You could have brought them with you today.’
‘I told you that I was forbidden from bringing them to the zoo.’
‘I remember, and I remember that they claimed you were spending time with the children rather than searching for a husband.’
There was a teasing grin on his face, and she frowned. ‘Then why did you suggest that I should have brought them with me today, in direct contradiction of that order?’
‘Because I know how stubborn you are.’
The upturn of his lips and the gleam in his eyes increased his handsomeness, but it was the teasing itself that made her smile. It was nice to have someone to share things with. Silly things between the two of them. ‘Not stubborn. I’m particular.’
‘Ah, yes. Particular. I recall that, too,’ he said, with a laugh.
She giggled and shook her head at him for teasing her.
‘You don’t need to wait for a schedule,’ he said. ‘I can meet you at the zoo tomorrow and give your nieces and nephews rides.’
‘I wasn’t implying—’
‘I know you weren’t implying anything,’ he interrupted.
‘Tomorrow would be the perfect day for Hugo to give your nieces and nephews rides. Mr Ratnam said the howdah we’d commissioned to be built will be delivered tomorrow morning.
It’s not as elaborate or large as the ones used in other places around the world, but will provide the riders with a safer place to sit. ’
She’d seen pictures of howdahs in books and was concerned about how large they’d appeared. ‘It won’t hurt Hugo, will it?’
‘No, a saddle maker built it, complete with padding to protect Hugo’s skin. It’s a simple structure and I’ll be there early tomorrow morning to help put it on him for the first time. He’s worn similar things in the past, so I don’t expect any issues.’
‘I look forward to seeing it,’ she said.
‘Shall we plan on early afternoon for your nieces and nephews to get their rides?’
For a moment she questioned why she was so excited at the prospect, but quickly determined that it didn’t matter. She couldn’t let her nieces and nephews down. ‘Yes, thank you, that would work perfectly.’
‘Good,’ Drake replied as they arrived at the door, which was promptly opened by a butler.
Moments later, they entered a beautifully decorated drawing room and were greeted by the duke and duchess. During the greeting, Meridith passed on Peter’s request to greet the duke and duchess on his behalf and accepted a return greeting to share with him.
‘I’m so happy you were both able to join us this evening,’ Rosemary said. ‘I’ll never be able to thank you enough for how happy you made Thomas today. He swears that Drake is his best friend.’
‘I’m honored,’ Drake replied. ‘The next time he rides Hugo, there will be a howdah for him to sit in.’
‘I was wondering about that,’ the duke said.
As the two men began talking about saddles and howdahs, Rosemary said, ‘Come, let’s sit down so we can visit. Michael informed me that your family has been supporting the zoo for many years.’
‘Yes, we have,’ Meridith answered as they walked to a grouping of upholstered chairs and matching sofa. ‘My mother was very passionate about it, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to oversee our family’s endeavours the past few years.’
‘That’s very admirable of you,’ the duchess replied as they each sat upon a chair. ‘Since marrying Michael I’ve discovered just how much I was missing by being so focused on myself.’
Meridith didn’t see anything selfish about the duchess, but did notice how Rosemary was looking across the room towards her husband. Her face was alight with adoration.
The men were at a credenza, filling glasses with before-dinner drinks. Drake had his back to the room, but the duke turned, smiled in return at his wife, with just as much adoration on his face.
Meridith had seen such expressions within her family.
Peter and Alena adored each other, as did her other siblings and their spouses, with the exception of Diana and Walter—not that Meridith could remember the last time she’d had an opportunity to see how they looked at each other. They were so rarely in the same place.
She couldn’t help but wonder if anyone would ever look at her like that, or if she’d look at them.
It was what she wanted, yet she couldn’t help but fear that she could end up like Diana.
That frightened her and was the reason that she scrutinized every man her family introduced her to, because it was Peter who had arranged her sister’s marriage to Walter.
‘Before I married Michael, I rarely left my father’s house,’ Rosemary said.
Turning her attention back to the duchess, Meridith asked, ‘Why not?’
With a sigh, Rosemary answered, ‘Because I was afraid that my life would change. My mother had died when I was young, and I’d determined that I had to take care of my father and then my younger brother.’
‘You changed your mind after meeting the duke?’ Meridith asked.
‘I’d known Michael my entire life,’ Rosemary said. ‘At one time I wanted a brother just like him, then I wanted to grow up and marry him. Which was exactly what happened. Proof that fairy tales can come true. He’s my true Knight in shining armour.’
Meridith wanted to ask more, but the men were walking closer, each carrying two crystal glasses. She wondered if a man would ever change her life. It wasn’t that she was afraid to leave the house, she simply didn’t have many reasons to.
As she accepted a glass from Drake, their gazes met and there was that spark in his dark blue eyes.
The one that made him look so handsome, but also made him appear as if he was up to something mischievous.
She’d noticed it the first time while they’d been playing croquet and had seen it several times since then.
At this moment, she wondered if that was what made her heart beat faster than normal, for that was exactly what was happening again.
‘It’s a simple sherry,’ Drake said. ‘If it’s not to your liking, there is also a mulled wine.’
‘This will be perfect, I’m sure,’ she replied, and took a sip to confirm. The sweet, delicate flavor was very delightful. Seeing the spark in his eye grow brighter, she smiled. ‘It is very good. Thank you.’
‘I thought you’d like it,’ he replied, while sitting in the chair next to hers.
She did like the wine, and the company, and found the entire evening very enjoyable.
It was so refreshing to be a part of conversations that went beyond fashion, including who was wearing last year’s gown, which is what were the normal conversations at the balls and parties her family required her to attend.
The subjects tonight were varied, ranging from social concerns, including an estate that the duke’s family was creating to help young girls and mudlarks, to political events concerning labor rights, to literature and geography, including several tales about the places Drake had travelled.
Meridith was interested in all of the subjects and found it stimulating to be able to participate in each topic.
Throughout the conversations, it became impossible for her to look at Drake without feeling the same rush of warmth that she’d felt earlier today.
It went deeper than interest in what he was saying and deeper than admiration for all he’d accomplished.
Whatever the reason behind it, it made her feel a bit dreamy, and that made her wonder about Rosemary’s remark about fairy tales coming true.