Page 47 of Lady Dramatic
She was to the lord’s right and she noticed him switch his leash to his left hand. Her left hand was already currently free. His hand brushed her own. He was doing it again.
Serenity went happily round the square, brushing Lord Thorpe’s hand by accident while Verity waxed on about spaniels. It was the best day of her life. A single tear rolled down her cheekbut as she did not have a free hand to brush it away she let it fall and counted on the fog to disguise it.
They returned to their original starting place far too soon.
“Lady Serenity,” Lord Thorpe said, “an excellent walk, I think.”
“Indeed, yes.”
“Charles,” Lord Thorpe said, “one hopes Lord Furtherington is not long out of Town. Of course, if that be the case, I am certain Lady Verity would be indulgent enough to speak to you further about spaniels.”
Serenity could hardly control her laughter as Verity said, “Oh yes, there is a lot more to say.”
Lord Charles bowed and said, “Until this evening, Lady Serenity. At the early dinner taking place at my family’s house in Town.”
He turned and stalked off, dragging his unnamed spaniel with him.
“Come loves, we will take our leave,” Mrs. Right said. “Good day to you, Lord Thorpe.”
“Mrs. Right,” he said.
Her dear housekeeper pulled Serenity in the direction of the house, followed by Verity positing all sorts of spaniel information that might be communicated to Lord Charles at his earliest convenience.
In not too many hours she would set off again, but this time to Lord Thorpe’s house to dine. She wondered what it looked like inside. She wondered if she would one day find herself the mistress of it. Life could not be more wonderful.
*
Roland had notbeen at all enthused to see Charles pushing into his walk with Lady Serenity. Nor was he enthused to understandhe was determined to come to the dinner. He’d hoped it had just been an idle threat, but apparently it was not.
However, aside from those minor irritations, all went forward swimmingly. He’d wondered what Lady Serenity would do when he’d switched his leash to his opposite hand and allowed his right hand to brush her own. She did not pull away. No, not at all. They’d brushed hands all the way round the square. It felt as if it were an unspoken engagement, almost. After all, a lady like that did not go round brushing a gentleman’s hand for nothing.
“When do you think you might ask the question?” Quinn asked. “Tonight might be as good a night as any.”
“I must approach the duke first, I think,” Roland said. “I believe he would approve the match, but when it comes to a duke I imagine it’s best to afford them every courtesy. At least, my father always expects it. I will arrange an appointment with the Duke of Pelham. Soon.”
Quinn suppressed the smallest of sighs, and Roland was very much aware that he wished him to get on with it. He did not bother explaining thathewished for a little more time to introduce Lady Serenity to something closer to his real nature, as he already knew what Quinn thought of the idea. His butler thought the reveal of the real Marquess of Thorpe could be a surprise after the wedding.
But, he could not be comfortable with that idea.
“Typical of Charles to crash in on your walk. I wonder where he got the dog?”
“Probably from some lazy fellow at The Albany who was delighted to have him take out his dog,” Roland said. “He claimed it was a certain Lord Furtherington, who I have never heard of.”
“He is determined to come to dinner too?”
Roland nodded. “Have the place cards been arranged as I wish?”
“They have. Charles will be in the middle of the table with Lady Valor on one side, Lady Verity on the other, and Lady Winsome across. Lady Serenity will be to your right. As you do not have a hostess, the duke will take the far end of the table.”
“Excellent. With any luck, Lady Verity will tie up Charles about spaniels on one side and Lady Valor, well, who knows what she’ll want to talk about.”
“It is such a small party, consisting only of the duke’s family. Certainly that is a heavy hint regarding the direction this is going.”
“I would think so, though I also think Lady Valor will remain convinced it’s all being done in her honor. Which I suppose she has a right to, since I did say it was to be early on her account.”
“Lady Valor should be very flattered by the attention paid to the arrangements—the menu is exquisite. The champagne is iced, the aged hock gently cooled, and the claret uncorked to breathe. Orgeat has been prepared for the younger of the sisters. White soup to begin. The venison and partridges from the estate arrived this morning. Cook has made up a plate of quince paste cut in the shape of the duke’s house. The rest of it, boeuf en croute, broiled game hens, baked turbot in a dill sauce, vegetables of all sorts roasted, mashed, and sauteed, two salads, an excellent cheeseboard, trifles, cakes, and ice creams, all being prepared.”
Of all the things Roland might worry over, the components of the dinner were not on that list. Quinn and his housekeeper led the staff forward and each one of them, down to the scullery maids, were an expert at their jobs.
