He saw Miss Bainbridge flinch and then flush with anger when she learned that she was paired with a middle-aged gentleman. The anger cooled to white fury when Katherine announced that William and Miss Lavinia Brookford would accompany each other.
A hand shot up in the crowd. Mrs. Bainbridge’s, William noticed.
“I am not sure I like this pairing-off business,” the woman said stoutly. “I wish to walk with my husband.”
“As you like,” Katherine answered blandly. “But I think the rest of us are enjoying the idea.”
Mrs. Bainbridge did not look pleased at this development. A quick glance around the crowd showed that most people were pleased with their partners, talking and laughing and planning out where they would go and when. Katherine had not chosen the partners at random – she had chosen wisely.
William glanced around, and found Miss Brookford standing near his elbow, eyeing him cautiously.
“Do you mind us being paired together?” she said at last. “I should hate for you to feel uncomfortable.”
He smiled. “I’m not uncomfortable. I’m afraid I’m very dull, though. I just wanted to walk through the Gardens and take in the scenery.”
She relaxed a little. “I would like that, too.”
The company began to disperse, individuals pairing off in twos and fours as they made their way into the Gardens, engaging in lively conversation and merriment.
William saw that Lady Brennon was paired with his mother, and he relaxed a little more.
I am glad that my mother is having a good time,he thought.She deserves it.
For a few moments, he and Miss Brookford walked side by side in silence.
“We have two hours before we need to meet with the rest of the people,” he said after a while. “Katherine has arranged tea, I think.”
“Oh, yes, I want to try one of those famous buns. I’ve never had one, you know, and everybody admits that they are delicious.”
“The Sally Lunns? Oh, yes, they’re very tasty. Very sweet, if you like that sort of thing.”
“Iadoresweet things,” Miss Brookford laughed. She flashed her dimples up at him, and William was struck anew by the wave of warm affection that rushed through his chest. He swallowed hard, directing his gaze to the road ahead of them.
The original, wide path that started at the gate gradually grew thinner, splintering off into countless crossroads and off-shoots, all well signposted. In places, he could see that, come the darkness, there would be performers there, likely the same sort of performers found in London’s Vauxhall Gardens. Fire eaters, jugglers, tightrope walkers, people with rare and unique animals – monkeys, parrots, snakes, and even a tarantula in a cage once.
A little further along, he saw the looming shape of the place they were to have tea and confectioneries, with supper-boxes set at intervals here and there. He hoped that Katherine had organized a supper-box, rather than them taking tea inside. It was a fine day, fine enough to eat and drink out of doors.
Forgetting where he was and who he was with for just a moment, William turned his face up to the blue sky above him, tilting his head right back and closing his eyes. The gentle breeze felt luxurious on his skin, and the sun warmed his face, glowing pinkly through his closed eyelids.
When he finally opened his eyes, blinking in the light, and glanced down, he found that Miss Brookford was staring at him thoughtfully, her expression a little uncertain.
She flushed at once, clearly embarrassed to be caught staring and directed her gaze away. William felt heat rising to his face, too.
What was I thinking? What is it about this woman that makes me act so strangely?
“I don’t believe I ever offered you an apology,” he said after a pause.
She glanced up at him. “An apology?”
“Yes. When we first met – when wetrulyfirst met, I mean – I should have left the balcony at once. It was more proper. Instead, I stayed and talked with you.”
“I didn’t mind.”
“I know, but a true gentleman would have left you at once.”
She smiled wryly. “And a true lady would never have stepped onto the balcony at all. I think at the least we are as bad as each other.”
He had to smile at that. “I cannot argue with that.”
