“When I first came to Bath, I was angry at the world for what had happened to me. If it hadn’t been for Seaford thrusting a sword into my hand one day, challenging me to a fight, I feel like I wouldn’t be alive today. He saved my sanity, and I do believe Lady Harriet will save my soul. She’s very dear to me, and I wouldn’t hurt her for the world.”
“There are lots of people willing to help you, Jon. Don’t push them away, especially Harriet. If you hurt her, you’ll have me to answer to. Is that understood?”
“I understand, and thank you, Wolf. Rest assured, I’ll try my best to court Lady Harriet in the style she deserves. For the first time in two years, I’m actually thinking about the future. A future with Lady Harriet as my wife.”
“See that you do the right thing. Good day, Lieutenant,” Wiltshire said, climbing into the saddle. “Will we see you at the next dance?”
“I’ll try my utmost to be there.”
“This is how you court her properly, Jon—by attending social activities with her. Having tea, going for walks, and attending the dances because Harriet truly loves to dance. You must put aside your disdain for the ton. Focus on Harriet. Can you do that?”
Jon nodded. “I understand, and I’ll try my utmost to be the most caring and proper suitor for the lady. Thank you, Wolf.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I meant what I said. Do not hurt the young lady.”
Jon nodded again, accepting the seriousness of his desire to court Lady Harriet. It would be a monumental task to reintegrate back into Society, but he’d do it for her.
He would do anything for her.
Was this love?
He had no idea, but one thing he knew for sure was he liked how the young lady made him feel.
Chapter 16
Harriet waited to see if Wiltshirewould speak with her after his talk with Lord Hartley. She wanted to ask him what they talked about, but even she knew that was too bold and really none of her business. Perhaps in time, she’d learn what they discussed. In the meantime, she was excited to go into Bath after luncheon. She wanted to spend as much time with her sister as possible before Mercy and Wiltshire headed to their country estate.
She was sitting with her sister when Lord Spenser walked into the parlor. “Where’s Wiltshire? Is he not accompanying us into town?”
Mercy shook her head. “No, he has some business to attend to. He’ll see us at dinner.”
“I see. Well, then, Your Grace, Lady Harriet, are you ready to depart?” George asked.
“Lead the way, Lord Spenser,” Harriet said.
George held out his arms, both she and Mercy linked theirs with his, and they walked out to the waiting carriage. He handed them up before jumping in after them, taking the rear-facing seat.
“Have you been to Bath before, Your Grace?” he asked.
“I have not, though I understand is a lovely town,” Mercy said. “Well, not so little anymore. From what I understand from my grandmother, Society has decided that spending the summer in Bath is the fashionable thing to do these days.”
“That’s true. I’ve been here numerous times, and every time I return, there seems to be more of London Society that’s decidedsummer is best spent here. I can’t really blame them—the ocean air is quite refreshing,” George said.
The carriage stopped in front of one of the cute cottages at the edge of town. “Excuse me a moment while I fetch Miss Weston,” he said, exiting the carriage.
“Do I detect more than a passing interest in Miss Weston from Lord Spenser?” Mercy asked.
“You do, and I suspect he’ll propose before she must return to London in a few weeks. Have you seen the way they look at each other?”
“I did notice that. I’m truly thrilled for them. They’ll make a lovely couple.”
The carriage door opened, and George handed up Miss Weston before climbing in to sit beside her.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace, Lady Harriet,” Miss Weston said.
“Wonderful to see you again, Miss Weston,” Mercy said.
Miss Weston smiled. “I’m excited you were able to join us for an outing to the tea shop, Your Grace. It’s a lovely little shop.”
