Page 43 of No Ordinary Lady

“What were you doing in London to be so tired?” Amy asked, wide-eyed and curious. Amy could never know of the life he’d led in London. Since those days were behind him now, he’d rather not discuss them either.

“Attempting to keep up with my friends is a full-time occupation,” he said with an awkward wince. “The social season can be exhausting. But I am glad that is all behind me now and I’m home.”

“The rigors of the social season in London are something you will need to gird your loins for, my dear,” Granny said to Marian. “You’ll utterly enjoy it if I have my way.”

Amy’s eyes flicked to him, and then to Granny as she frowned. “I didn’t imagine we’d be going to London. Do you think I’ll like it, Mrs. Nolan?”

“Going to London is not essential,” he blurted, because he never intended to take Amy there. His friends might be indiscreet and embarrass him. Amy might even meet some ladies he’d previously engaged in affairs with, too.

“Well, I don’t know about you,” Granny said. “Every woman should have a season, so she might find the right husband. Danny intends to remain in the country with you. The place is full of scandals and deceit, and affairs abound everywhere anyway.”

“Oh,” Amy said, and her lips pinched tight together as she looked at him.

“It’s not as bad as Granny makes out,” Daniel promised.

“No, I’m sure it’s not so bad now, since you stayed there for so many years,” Granny replied and hid a grin.

“I just think a quiet country life has much to recommend it after all,” Daniel assured Amy. “There’s no reason to go to London ever again, really.”

“There’s the theater,” Marian murmured. “I’ve heard wonderful stories about Drury Lane performances and eating ices and amusements that last all night long.”

Given Marian had hardly spoken a word all morning, he was taken aback momentarily by her wistful tone. She was interested in visiting London. He thought she would enjoy it more than Amy ever could. She’d revel in the attention she’d receive, and the amusements to be found there, even those held in less-than-proper surroundings.

If she was ever to go, Granny would prepare her well for London’s scandalous society, but who would protect her from scoundrels? She didn’t have her uncle anymore. He wondered if her travels had actually taken her to the great city already, but he shouldn’t ask her about that right now. He was supposed to be ignoring Marian.

“You must have gone to the races too,” she added. “How exciting that must have been!”

“Yes, I’ve gone with my friends more than once and had a great deal of fun. We’re a large group and make a merry day and night of it when we go.”

“It sounds marvelous to live in a city that is as lively at night as it is in the day,” Marian exclaimed, suddenly more like herself than she had been in days. “All that noise and bustle constantly around you.”

“It certainly can be wonderful if your horse comes in first at the races. You win a small fortune,” he admitted, grinning back at her. “When your and your friend’s horses are neck and neck, well, we can become quite competitive. There’s also riding in Hyde Park and attending the pleasure gardens, too.”

“You visited the scandalous pleasure gardens?” Amy asked, interrupting his and Marian’s conversation. She looked rather shocked.

“Well, yes,” he admitted. “But it wasn’t only me that went.”

“I only ever went there once,” Marian said with a sigh. “It was so crowded I could barely move. I’m sure I stepped on a dozen toes because I just had to see absolutely everything.”

“When were you there?” he couldn’t help but ask. “Perhaps we bumped into each other and never knew.”

“We might have, but I think I would have remembered you,” Marian promised.

Amy cleared her throat, and Daniel quickly spun back to face her, horrified he’d become distracted by his grandmother’s companion again. He had to think of her that way and only that way. As someone to be polite to in passing. Someone he didn’t want to know more about.

He turned his back on Marian, and smiled at Amy. “I think you’d like London,” he told her, although why he lied, he didn’t quite know. Amy would hate London. The crowds, the scandals, the way he reveled in the wickedness to be found there.

“What I really long for is a ball to be held here again,” Amy said, looking around. “It’s been years since the last one. Do you remember the fun we had dancing together?”

Fun? Danny remembered the torture of it. He’d only just come of age, and Mama had decided that everyone in the district had to know he had reached his majority. The way he’d been stared at, fawned upon by the unmarried women of the district, and the matrons with unwed daughters, had made him sweat profusely after the first few passes had been made at him.

The ball had gone on until dawn, but after three hours, Daniel had escaped out a window and spent the night drinking with the old gardener, stationed down by the grotto to keep the revelers out of there.

“It was a grand occasion,” Mother murmured, lifting her head finally from her knitting. “My only regret was that my late husband had not survived his ailments to see you and my son dance together, Amy. Such elegance, such grace.”

“Thank you,” Amy said, a flush of color now upon her pale cheeks as she looked over at Daniel and smiled.

Daniel squirmed as he recalled it had not been so perfect a dance together as everyone seemed to believe. His hands had been sweaty in his gloves, and he’d felt as if a thousand eyes were on him all night. Including Amy’s, which were lit so brightly in triumph as she’d gazed upon those watching them dance together.