Page 10 of Holly & Folly

“Archie!” Freddie called out.

Any idea Archie might have had of trying to continue on his way without being noticed was quashed.

Freddie’s wife—he still could not fathom it—was at his side, and he led her over and made the introduction to the newly minted Lady Weymouth. From the short interaction, it seemed he had at least chosen well, for she was warm, sweet, and very pretty.

There was no polite way for Archie to pull himself away as the crowd moved toward the drawing room, so he resigned himself to whatever lay ahead.

It turned out to be something only Mother could have arranged: an expedition to scavenge for greenery to decorate the rooms of Bellthorne.

No plain expedition would do for Lady Dalmeer, though. She meant to put together the very couples she had her eye on. In reality, her control was not as universal and total as she would have liked, however, for people began to do their own arranging. Naturally, Freddie and his wife would not be separated.

“Shall I join you?” Archie asked. “Or do you mean to sneak off into the hedges together?”

To his surprise, both Freddie’s and Lady Weymouth’s cheeks went red. Such was the newlywed state, he supposed.

Archie grasped his cousin by the shoulder. “Do not answer that. I shall go where I am wanted.”

Mother stood beside Miss Caldwell, and both of their gazes were upon him. He avoided them studiously, making his way across the room to the one person he knew Mother would not wish him to partner.

But Mr. Fowell reached Miss Prescott first.

She did not look particularly pleased by this and looked around until her eyes met Archie’s.

He closed the remaining distance just as Fowell said, “Shall we make a team, you and I, Miss Prescott?”

“Miss Prescott,” Archie said as though he had not heard this. “Are you ready?”

Her wide eyes met his, then flicked to Mr. Fowell.

“Forgive me, my lord,” Mr. Fowell said amiably, “but I have just asked her to join me.”

“Ah!” Archie said. “I believe my mother wished for you to partner with Miss Caldwell, Fowell. She is just over th—” He turned to direct Fowell to her, only to find Mother and Miss Caldwell approaching.

“Here he is,” Mother said with a great smile. “Son, you will accompany Miss Caldwell.”

“And deprive Fowell here when he had set his heart on it?” Archie replied with good nature. “I am not so ungracious a host as that, I hope. Shall we be on our way, Miss Prescott?” He put out an arm.

She hesitated, her gaze flicking to Mother’s.

What history lay between them? He was determined to find out.

“I am more than happy to accompany Miss Prescott, my lord,” Mr. Fowell said, though he sent a kind smile in Miss Caldwell’s direction.

“That settles it,” Mother said with a joyful clap. “Miss Caldwell, Lord Dalmeer will accompany you”—she guided the young woman until she was beside Archie—“and Mr. Fowell, you will accompany Miss Prescott.”

Mr. Fowell smiled his agreeability to this plan, while Miss Prescott looked like a hare with a hound on its heels.

“We shall all venture out together,” Archie said, as though he was merely continuing what Mother had been on the verge of saying. “There is safety in numbers, after all. Which room shall we have the pleasure of decorating, Mother?”

She fumbled over her words but seemed not to know how to undo what Archie had done.

“The Antique Passage, perhaps?” Archie suggested with a glance at Miss Prescott.

She met his gaze, and he swore there was both laughter and gratitude in it.

It had not been entirely unselfish, what he had done, however. He hoped the presence of Mr. Fowell and Miss Prescott would ensure he was not obliged to take drastic measures to deter Miss Caldwell, who was gripping his arm as though she feared Miss Prescott might prise her hand off at any second.

With her work complete, even if not entirely satisfactorily so, Mother left to arrange the remaining groups.