“As soon as I’ve finished these letters, we are going to Bond Street. We still need several gowns for Ava, to say nothing of bonnets and slippers and all manner of things. Will you accompany us?”
“I cannot, alas. I have a prior engagement,” he said hastily, his heart sinking at the prospect of how much his mother was about to spend. But it couldn’t be helped. Ava’s court dress alone would be several hundred pounds. The urgency of the situation grew more extreme with each day that passed.
Seizing the opportunity to float his plan to introduce Sarah to his family, he said, “However, I trust you are not yet engaged for tomorrow night?”
“No, why?”
“I am planning a trip to the theatre, and I would like you and Ava to come. I will invite the boys, too.”
His mother blinked. “Good heavens, why?”
Taking a deep breath he plunged on, “There is someone I would like you to meet.” He felt himself flushing, and his mother’s eyes widened. “Her name is Miss Sarah Watson, I—well, suffice to say I would like you to meet her.” He had issued the invitation to Sarah and Lady Holbrook and received a positive response with this morning’s mail.
Mama looked at Ava and then at him and smiled. “Of course we would be delighted to come, wouldn’t we, Ava?”
Ava grinned and, rising, gave him a quick hug. “How delightful. I am sure we will love her if you do, Rob.”
He swallowed and felt his cheeks burning. Well, he had convinced his family that he was introducing them to a woman he had a partiality for. At least that part of the equation was settled.All I need to do now is persuade her to have me.
And he went off to the library to send two notes to his brothers, who did not live at Berkeley Square but had rooms in St James’s.
*
Fortunately for him,Lady Holbrook had received the invitation and sent an immediate acceptance on Miss Watson’s behalf. By the time Sarah learned of it, there was nothing she could do about it. But she was thrown into a spin by the notion of being introduced to the duke’s family.He seems to be determined to pursue me, despite my disastrous tongue.
After the drive in the park, she had been somewhat reconciled to receiving his attentions. He seemed to be genuinely trying to engage her interest and pay attention to her. Which made him increasingly attractive, she had to admit. She was beginning to think she might even like him a little.
Chapter Eight
The play wasRob Roy MacGregor, an operatic drama in three acts. The duke had his own box, naturally, but in the course of being conducted into it, Sarah began to understand for the first time what a proposal of marriage from the duke might entail, should she deign to accept it.
The role of duchess was a formidable one. Certainly not one a vicar’s daughter was in any way fit for.Could he be seriously contemplating offering for me?Introducing her to his family would seem to indicate that he was. If she were any other young woman, she would be over the moon at the prospect.
“Mama,” said the duke, bringing Sarah into the box, “I would like to introduce you to Lady Holbrook and Miss Sarah Watson.”
“Your Grace.” Both ladies curtsied.
The duchess, who was shorter than both of them, still managed to look down her nose at them, and Sarah’s heart quailed.
“Lady Holbrook, I believe we have met before. But I have not had the honor of Miss Watson’s acquaintance. Please let me introduce my daughter, Lady Ava Layne.” A younger woman, who was clearly a replica of her mother, came forward and received their curtsies.
Lady Ava smiled, her blue eyes twinkling, and said, “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Please come and sit by me. I am dying to know all about you!”
Sarah blinked at this effusiveness, and the duke broke in upon it to introduce her to two young men who were taking up more than their fair share of space in the box.
“My brothers, Lord Hereward Layne and Lord Kenrick Layne.” Both were bigger than their elder brother. Though Kenrick was the tallest, topping both his brothers by several inches in height, his physique was long and lean. Hereward was of a more solid build and the stockiest of the three. To Sarah’s way of thinking, the duke’s proportions were perfect.He is also,she thought,better looking. They certainly all towered over their tiny mother and equally petite sister.
Hereward gave her a neat bow and Kenrick went so far as to take her hand and smile, and she couldn’t be certain, but she rather thought he winked at her. She smiled in return.
The lights were dimming in preparation for the curtain to rise on the first act, and they all shuffled around to take their seats.
Lady Ava was an expressive talker. She fluttered her hands while she chattered.
“So, tell me,” she said in a confiding fashion, “how did you meet my brother? Was it at a stuffy ball or something romantic?”
“Very stuffy, I’m afraid. Almack’s.”
“Oh lud! Is it as bad as they say?”
