Chapter Eight #2
“What are you thinking about, other than when the duke and duchess will return?”
Greyson’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Nothing, really.”
He chuckled and turned to meet her gaze. His eyes were full of heat and something like amusement. What a strange combination. “You lie.”
She coughed. “Guilty. I lie. At first, I was thinking of Newmarket.”
“Yes. And then?” he prodded.
Did she dare admit what she’d been thinking? “About our kiss last night and how it was nothing like the few kisses we stole in Newmarket.”
He snorted, then coughed to cover it. “Christ. Are you trying to torture me with memories of last night?”
“Greyson, please. You’re making me embarrassed.”
“I wish I could hold your hand and reassure you that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.
But the entrance to Hyde Park is coming up, and I need both hands on the reins.
Anyway, I would’ve kissed you in Newmarket as intimately as last night if I’d thought you were ready.
I didn’t want to frighten you away with my desire for you. ”
She nudged his shoulder with hers. “And that’s supposed to make me feel less mortified?”
“Oh, my dear Letitia,” he said, his voice softening to a low murmur. “Never be mortified when it comes to me. Finally, a lull in the traffic so that we can enter the park. It appears the entire beau monde is out and about this afternoon.”
“Which makes me think,” she said, her pulse calming somewhat after their discussion of kisses. “Are you not derelict in your duties to Aurora and Anastasia by taking me for a ride?”
“Not at all. I expect we will see Hunter, Anastasia, Lord Warren, and Aurora, since the four of them went for a ride together.” He paused and chuckled. “So I’m not derelict in my obligations at all.”
She smiled, happy for his sisters. “I’m glad to hear that. When do you think Hunter will ask for Anastasia’s hand?”
“Soon. I expect Warren to wait a bit before he asks for Aurora’s.
He seems to take things at a snail’s pace.
I wonder how he ever gets anything done regarding his estates.
Aurora doesn’t seem bothered by this trait.
It would drive Anastasia crazy, which is why she is with Hunter and Warren is with Aurora. ”
“Hmmm. It is all so exciting. What does your mother think?” His entire body visibly tensed, and she regretted her words. “Forgive me.”
“For what?” he asked, keeping his eyes on Rotton Row, his horses, and the carriage directly in front of theirs.
“For mentioning your mother, I know how much you worry.”
“It is I who should be apologizing to you. You’ve done nothing wrong in inquiring.
Mother is thrilled for them—two fewer worries for her if they make good matches.
Before you ask about my father, he has appeared to rally and has his wits about him, but not the strength to leave his bed.
I fear it is short-lived. I can hardly believe he has lasted this long since taking ill.
Mother’s health has improved right along with his.
I pray hers will last. I want my mother to live long enough to see her twin daughters happily wed and perhaps to become a grandmother. ”
“What about you? She must want you to marry.” She covered her mouth with her hand and groaned. What had gotten into her to say such a thing? “Once again, I must beg your forgiveness for asking what is no concern of mine.”
He placed both reins in one hand and set the other on the hand covering her mouth, brought it down to her lap, and squeezed it gently. “If I have any say in the matter, it will be of great concern to you.”
He took his hand away and once again held the reins properly.
She missed the connection, even though they both had gloves on, which kept them from touching skin to skin as they had last night.
She made a strange sound, as no words would form in response to his comment.
It wasn’t the first time he had hinted at something more than a courtship between them.
Could she allow herself to hope?
Risk her heart without a guarantee?
Believe in his honesty?
“I do believe I see the Duke and Duchess of Tremont,” stated Greyson. “He’s usually not one for riding in the park at this hour. He prefers to ride early in the morning. The duchess must have convinced him otherwise on this glorious day.”
Even though they touched from shoulder to knee on the small seat, she leaned her head closer. “I’m still shocked he owns the club,” she whispered.
“It’s more than that. He owns the residence next door, and many of his men who served with him on his ship live there with their families and work for him at the club.
It’s his way of supporting them because he feels responsible for the attack on his ship, which took many lives and injured scores of others, including himself, when he tried to save his wife’s first husband who was also his best friend. ”
“Oh, I had heard rumors that her husband was killed in the war, but I had no idea that Tremont and he knew one another. How fortunate they were to meet and marry.”
“Indeed, how fortunate.”
“On a different topic, did you write your letter requesting membership in Club Knight? If so, I can pick it up when we return and deliver it to Knight tonight.”
She shivered at the thought of belonging to such a place. The interesting question was whether it was nerves or excitement. “Yes, I have. But what if I change my mind?”
“When your membership is approved, you are under no obligation to visit the establishment if you do not choose to do so.”
“But what about the fee?”
“You let me worry about that.”
“You never said how much it cost, except that it was an exorbitant amount. I feel guilty for having you pay.”
He pulled the carriage off the path onto a patch of vacant grass.
He held the reins in one hand and reached for her hand with his free one.
“I suggested this. I invited you there in the first place. If you want to join, I will pay the fee. If you choose not to join, no harm done. The fee is not due until you are accepted into the club. We still have time.”
She looked at their joined hands, sighed, and smiled to herself. “I’m being silly. Of course I want to join. I want to spend time with you and get to know you better in a private setting, other than my home.” The home she had shared with Rutherford.
“My thoughts exactly,” he said, letting go of her hand and bringing his up to caress her cheek. “You are amazing. Do you know that?”
She broke into a wide smile, her cheeks flushed, and her heart raced. All because of his hand and his words. How strange that it took so little on his part to make her feel cherished.
“Did you hear what I said?”
She shook her head. “Thank you for the compliment, but I’m rather dull and unexciting. Not amazing at all.”
He caressed her cheek again, and the look he gave her spread warmth through her body.
“You think too little of yourself. You are raising a young boy who will one day inherit an earldom. You run a household by yourself, and as far as I know, you never seek help from anyone. I would say that makes you amazing in my eyes.”
Unexpected tears pooled in her eyes, and before she could wipe them away, he wiped them with his hand. Her tears darkened his brown gloves. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“They are not sad tears, but happy ones. What you said touched my heart. But to be honest, my life is hardly a hardship. I adore my son, and I have a governess who takes great care of him and loves him as well. My servants are proficient in their work. My housekeeper, Mrs. Peterson, runs a smooth household with the help of the butler. I choose the daily menu. I hardly find enough to do in any given day. My life is easy, and I sometimes feel guilty for it.”
“Don’t feel guilty. You are doing exactly what you are supposed to do.
You are managing a household and raising your son.
We should move back onto Rotten Row before some carriage driver gets annoyed with us for stopping on the grass.
” Greyson merged the horses and carriage back onto the path, and they rode on in companionable silence back to Rutherford Manor.
“Thank you for a lovely ride,” she said as he helped her down from the phaeton.
“You are most welcome, and thank you for allowing me the pleasure of your company.” He bowed, took her hand, and pressed his warm lips to the underside of her wrist, where the glove ended.
The contact left her quivering inside. When he released her hand and stood straight again, he winked at her.
“Do you have an engagement this evening?”
It took her a moment to focus her mind on something other than the handsome devil standing in front of her. “As a matter of fact, I do not.”
“Would you care to dine with my family and me?”
“I would love to.”
“I will send my carriage for you at half seven.”
He jumped onto the perch and left, glancing back once before turning the corner and disappearing from view. Then she panicked when she realized it was probably after five and she had much to do in the next two hours.
She hurried past Mr. Henry when he opened the door and made haste up the stairs and to her chambers, calling out to Jane as she entered her dressing room, going through her dresses.
“My lady,” Jane said as she entered the dressing room.
“Oh, Jane. Thank goodness. I’m going to dinner at Danbury Hall, and the viscount is sending his carriage at half seven. How will I ever be ready in time?”
“My lady,” Jane said in a soothing voice. “Come and sit by the fire, and I will bring you some evening dresses to choose from. If I recall, you mentioned the viscount’s favorite color is blue. Perhaps a blue dress?”
“No. I always wear blue. Perhaps the burgundy one. The more I think on it, the more perfect the burgundy one seems. I don’t believe he’s seen me wear that color yet.”
“The burgundy dress it is, my lady.”
Jane entered the dressing room and returned with the burgundy dress, matching shawl, and reticule.
After dressing her, Letitia sat at the dressing table while Jane worked her magic on her hair.
Using the curling rod, she curled her entire head of hair, then pinned it up, leaving some curls to cascade down the back of her neck, where they bounced as she moved her head.
Letitia thought she looked beautiful, if she did say so herself.
“My hair looks amazing, Jane.”
“Thank you, my lady. It’s easy with your thick hair and light coloring.
Your paleness, set off by the rich color of the gown, is striking.
Burgundy was the perfect color choice. All you need is a little color on your cheeks and lips.
I made some this morning, hoping you would like to try it. May I?”
“Please.”
Jane brushed a light touch of beetroot rouge onto her cheeks and carmine beeswax onto her lips, then wiped some off with a piece of linen. “Perfect. Very soft, but it enhances your cheekbones and full lips.”
“I hardly recognize myself. Thank you, Jane.” Letitia stood and stepped back from the mirror, then turned around, admiring herself. “You outdid yourself. I shouldn’t be late.”
“Have a wonderful time, my lady,” Jane said as she curtsied, then left, leaving the door to her chambers open, knowing Letitia was right behind her.