Chapter Sixteen #2
“Why, Miss Rafferty…and Sir William,” Mrs. Davenport said, raising one elegant brow. “How…er…entertaining to find you together this afternoon. We were nearly bored to tears, isn’t that correct, Lady Emily? This is Lord Richard Merrick’s new ward, Miss Rafferty.”
Her companion was willowy in stature, with extravagant diamonds in her ears and on her right hand. “It certainly is a surprise. Where, may I ask, is your guardian? Surely, he does not condone riding in Hyde Park midday unaccompanied by a groom?”
“Where is Lord Richard indeed,” Mrs. Davenport murmured, shaking her head.
A blush rose to Fiona’s cheeks.
“He is at Seldon on business, Mrs. Davenport. I’m so sorry. Did you not know he had left London?” She was happy to see the widow’s pale skin flush unbecomingly.
Mrs. Davenport’s intimidating companion did not wait for an introduction to give censure.
“I suppose it is the fashion now for young ladies to ride with a bachelor alone. In my youth, it was unheard of. What have you to say for yourself, William Denton? I expected you to be more circumspect. Have you thrown convention to the winds?”
“I say Your Ladyship is looking very fine today. This brisk weather agrees with you. Allow me to introduce Miss Rafferty, a guest of the Merrick family. Lady Cowper is one of our esteemed patronesses at Almack’s Assembly.”
Fiona had to admire his recovery.
“Miss Rafferty’s groom became ill at the start of our excursion. I should have called off our ride, I know.” He flashed a winning smile. “But how could I resist a beautiful afternoon and such charming company? The poor man went home and we remained. I hope you will forgive my lapse in propriety.”
Lady Cowper sniffed, but Fiona could see his address taking effect. Mrs. Davenport looked annoyed.
“How is your latest litter of spaniels coming along, Lady Cowper? I have heard it is an excellent set from that fine mahogany-and-white bitch you have.” It seemed he had found an ace to play. Lady Cowper promptly forgot her complaint.
“It is an extraordinary litter for Maisie’s first. She had eight, you know, three liver-spotted and five brown and white. You must come and see them, Sir William. You may even persuade me to save one for you.”
“Ah, but I suspect you will keep the best for your kennel.”
“Alas, Sir William, you know me too well. Miss Rafferty, I shall see you this Wednesday at Almack’s, I presume?”
“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
“Very well. Let us have no more unaccompanied rides in Hyde Park, shall we? Had it been with anyone other than Sir William, I would be shocked indeed.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship,” she answered meekly.
Mrs. Davenport’s eyes were hard as sapphires. “And I shall look forward to hearing you perform Saturday night at Mrs. Drummond-Burrell’s musicale, Miss Rafferty.”
Fiona couldn’t hide her surprise; wasn’t it only yesterday that she had agreed to play?
“You do not know how quickly news travels in our little town. But you will soon find out. Shall we ride on, Lady Emily?” Without waiting for an answer, Mrs. Davenport trotted away and Lady Cowper followed.
Sir William sighed and signaled the chestnut to walk forward. “That’s done it. By tonight, word will be all over London that we have ridden together in Hyde Park unaccompanied. We might have just paraded along Rotten Row. Lord Seldon is going to murder me.”
“I will tell him it is entirely my fault.” She kicked Della forward.
“Well, it is,” he said ungraciously.
“Thank you for covering so well, Sir William…that was an excellent story about the groom getting sick. I never would have thought to say it.”
“Don’t try to bamboozle me, Fiona. Eleanor Davenport certainly wasn’t fooled.”
“Why would she wish to damage my reputation? I’ve barely met the woman.”
“Don’t you know?” He raised his eyebrows. “You are a lovely girl in the first bloom of youth, while her beauty is fading. And you have a secure position in the household of a man she has never stopped admiring.”
“What happened between them?”
“It is not my place to say,” he said. “As it is, your guardian will have my hide. And do not expect me to challenge him to a duel when he scolds you. He is much too good with a pistol.”
“Of course, he is.” She could not keep the annoyance from her voice. “Is there nothing Lord Richard cannot do? If only he had a squint—just a small one, mind you—or a mole on his nose, I could tolerate him far better.”
Sir William’s shoulders shook. “You don’t need to point out his perfection to me. He sets impossibly high standards for the men in this city. Perhaps if he developed a limp…or a particularly musty smell…”
It was her turn to chuckle. “A sudden tic or flatulence—”
“Or became heavy-handed with the reins—”
“I suppose he is a good boxer as well?”