Chapter 9 #2
“I’ll also keep an eye on her and let you know if I think she needs your intervention. Others can help escort Miss Parker to events if necessary. I know my mother would be thrilled to help with chaperoning duties.”
“Thank you, Lady Clifford. That would be very much appreciated and would ease my mind tremendously.”
There was no more time for conversation as more and more people stopped to greet them.
“Chandler,” Easton called out to a man who came into view farther down the path on a beautiful bay gelding.
Lord Chandler looked up to see who’d called to him and smiled. He steered his horse toward the group. “Easton, Fletcher, ladies,” he said, tipping his hat. “What an unexpected pleasure to run into you today.”
“Chandler, good day to you.” He turned to Mia. “Miss Parker, may I present my friend, Lord Chandler?” Easton said.
Chandler’s eyes widened as he greeted her. “Miss Parker, the pleasure is mine.”
“Good day, Lord Chandler. A beautiful day for a ride, don’t you agree?” Mia asked, staring into his gorgeous brown eyes.
Chandler nodded. “Wholeheartedly.”
“Is Ludlow with you?” Easton asked.
“Yes, although he was waylaid by a group of women promenading on this fine day,” Chandler said, looking over his shoulder. “Ahh, here he is now.”
Another young man came into view, pulling on his horse’s reins as it trotted up to the group. “Chandler, don’t ever do that again,” he said in a low growl.
Chandler chuckled. “Why Ludlow, whatever are you talking about?”
Mia looked between the two men and couldn’t decide if the newly arrived Lord Ludlow was angry or not. Both Chandler and Ludlow were handsome men, but somehow, they didn’t hold a candle to Easton. Mia moved her horse closer to him while the two men bickered.
“You know perfectly well. Abandoning me when Lady Whitestone and Lady Nestle appeared was not welcome in the least. This was supposed to be an enjoyable ride.”
Fletcher joined the conversation. “I myself was cornered by those two ladies last year on my first promenade in the park. I have to agree with Ludlow—leaving him was a bit cruel. Those ladies are quite fearsome and the worst gossipmongers I’ve ever met.”
“Well, it’s not like you were trapped for long because here you are,” Chandler said. “Now, if you could hold your tongue a moment, I’d like to make an introduction. Miss Parker, may I make known to you Lord Ludlow?”
Ludlow tipped his hat. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Parker. Nice to see you again, Lady Clifford. You’re looking quite well. I do hope you’re enjoying your stay in London.”
“Thank you, Lord Ludlow. It’s been quite pleasurable so far.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Lord Ludlow,” Mia said.
Ludlow’s black stallion was stomping his hooves and turning in circles. “I do apologize, but I must move along. Jupiter isn’t quite used to the crowds in the park as of yet.”
“I’ll see you at the ball,” Chandler said. “Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Ludlow called over his shoulder as his horse trotted away.
“How do you all know each other?” Mia asked Easton.
“We went to school together and have maintained the friendship ever since. Ludlow recently inherited his title, and this is the first Season he’s participated in since then.
I dare say he had no idea how determined young ladies and their matchmaking mamas can be in trying to land a titled husband.
As far as I’m aware, he has no intention of marrying this Season or anytime soon. ”
“Lord Chandler, would you care to join us for the rest of our ride?” Mia asked.
“I’d be delighted. Thank you, Miss Parker.”
Lord Chandler joined their group and positioned his horse next to Mia’s. “Miss Parker, I do hope to see you at my parents’ ball on Saturday.”
Mia frowned. “My lord, I’m not sure. I do believe we’re otherwise engaged.”
“Oh? Did you not receive an invitation to the Gardner ball?”
“Yes, we did! Are they your parents? Forgive me. I had no idea.”
“Nothing to forgive. The ball is to introduce my sister, Lady Arabella, to Society.”
“How wonderful. I’m anxious to meet her. It will be good to have a friend. I’m afraid I don’t know many of the young women making their debut this year, besides one so far.”
“I would be happy to—”
A shrill voice interrupted them in the middle of their conversation. “Lord Chandler, we meet again,” two women said, trying their best to block the path forward.
“Lady Whitestone, Lady Nestle,” Chandler said with a nod.
“Lord Easton, Lord Fletcher, Miss Parker, Lady Kathryn, good day to you,” Lady Whitestone said, looking over their group.
Mia saw Easton bristle at the slight to his sister. “My sister is Lady Clifford now,” he said.
Lady Whitestone’s brows drew together, and she narrowed her gaze on Kathryn. “Pardon? Lady Clifford? You’re married?” the older woman asked, clearly unaware of her marriage.
“Good day, Lady Whitestone,” Kathryn said. “As my brother has said, it’s Lady Clifford now.”
Lady Whitestone harrumphed.
Mia could only guess that she was displeased not to have known this latest news, although Kathryn and Sir Sam had been married for a year now.
“I saw no engagement announcement in the paper,” Lady Nestle said, continuing her friend’s line of questioning. “Seems odd there wasn’t one.”
Mia saw Easton’s hands tighten on the reins before he turned to Chandler. “Shall we move along? It’s getting crowded here, and we shouldn’t block the path.”
Mia knew a slight when she heard one. It was cleverly done, and the two matrons had no choice but to stand aside as her group passed.
Her opinion of Lord Easton increased tenfold for the defense of his sister.
She was beginning to see him in an entirely new light.
The more she interacted with him, the more she liked him, and her feelings toward him were beginning to warm.
“Lord Easton, that was deftly done,” Lady Wright said when she and her daughter stopped beside him a moment later. “Those two women are the worst gossips in Society, and I’m always happy when someone puts them in their place.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Lady Wright. I will not stand for anyone slighting my family.”
“Most admirable.” Lady Wright greeted the rest of the group: “Good day, Lord Chandler, Lord Fletcher, Lady Clifford, Miss Parker. A lovely day to be in the park, don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely,” Kathryn said. “Good day, Lady Wright, Lady Victoria. It’s lovely to see you both again.”
“Lady Victoria, I’m so pleased to see you again. I hope we can enjoy a longer conversation at the Gardner ball,” Mia said.
“That would be most welcome,” Lady Victoria said.
Easton maneuvered his horse closer to Lady Victoria. “You’re looking quite lovely today, Lady Victoria.”
She looked up and smiled. “Thank you, Lord Easton. That’s most kind of you to say.”
“I only speak the truth. So, you’ll be attending the Gardner ball?” he asked.
“Yes, my mother has accepted the invitation. Will you also be attending?”
Mia spoke up. “Yes. Lady Victoria, we must make sure to seek Lady Arabella out. I’m sure she’ll be quite nervous at her first event.”
“Oh yes, that’s a wonderful idea. I remember my first ball a few weeks ago. I was terrified.”
“That’s most kind of you both,” Easton said, looking between the two young women.
“It’ll be my pleasure,” Lady Victoria said with a smile for the handsome lord.
Mia looked at Easton and Lady Victoria. He seemed quite enamored with the raven-haired beauty, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that, although she was definitely confused about feeling that way when she wasn’t romantically interested in him.
As Lord Easton continued to chat with Lady Victoria, she turned to Lord Chandler. “Lord Chandler, I do hope you’ll be dancing at the ball on Saturday and won’t disappear into the card room as so many gentlemen do at these events.”
“My dear Miss Parker, I wouldn’t dream of it. My mother would be most displeased with me if I did, and no one wants that,” he said with a chuckle. “May I request you save me a dance?”
She gave him a brilliant smile. “I would be delighted. Thank you.”
Mia was sure Easton had heard her and Lord Chandler’s conversation because he was frowning when he looked at her again.
Was he upset that she would be dancing with Lord Chandler?
Why would he care? He’d asked Lady Victoria to save him a dance, and he hadn’t said anything to her today beyond the usual pleasantries.
She wasn’t sure if he was upset with her or just still seething from the encounter with Lady Whitestone.
As he hadn’t requested a dance with her at the Gardner ball, she had no idea if he favored her at all. He seemed quite at ease chatting with Lady Victoria, and she felt unsettled at seeing him paying her so much attention.