Page 101 of The Wallflower Takes All

Bea’s eyes flashed. “And?”

“And Gabriel said they were not wholly exaggerated.”

“Gabriel,” Bea said again, only this time it sounded like a curse word.

Georgie leaned nearer. “Was that why Lord Ketterham did not call?”

“Yes. He wanted peace, competence, and a quiet household. He admired me, apparently, but did not wish to marry into…” Poppy waved one hand. “All of this.”

Bea set down her cup with more force than porcelain deserved. “A man who requires perfect calm should marry a cushion.”

Despite everything, Poppy laughed.

Georgie’s mouth curved. “A very well-upholstered cushion.”

“With no mother,” Bea added.

“And no puppy,” Georgie said.

“And no thoughts of its own,” Bea said before adding, “He did not deserve you.”

Poppy looked down at her untouched tea. “That is what Gabriel said.”

A silence moved through the room, swift and unmistakable. Poppy felt both their gazes settle on her.

“Ah,” Georgie said.

Bea folded her hands. “Continue.”

“He came to tell me himself. About Lord Ketterham. And about Algernon refusing to give us more time.” Poppy drew one breath, then another. “He found me waiting in the morning room with a tea tray set for a gentleman who had already decided not to come. It was a very elegant little humiliation. There were cakes.”

Georgie made a soft, sympathetic sound.

Poppy pressed on before the sympathy could undo her. “So Gabriel offered to take me driving in the park.”

Bea tilted her head and blinked. “Mr. Ashby took you riding in the park?”

“Yes. For practical reasons,” Poppy amended.

“Practical,” Bea repeated, looking thoroughly confused.

“He claimed it might improve my spirits.”

Georgie’s eyes softened. “Did it?”

“Yes,” Poppy said. “Eventually. And Freddie improved the outing by trying to wage war upon a family of ducks.”

Bea closed her eyes. “You brought Freddie?”

“Mama appointed him chaperone.”

“Naturally,” Bea breathed.

“He leapt from the curricle, freed himself from his collar, pursued the ducks into the shallows, and returned soaked, victorious, and entirely empty-mouthed. The ducks were unharmed, though their dignity may never recover.”

Georgie smiled. “That does sound like Freddie.”

“It was absurd,” Poppy said. “And then Gabriel and I walked near the Serpentine, with the curricle and groom in view, and he told me Lord Ketterham wanted the easiest parts of me.”