The following day, Wiltshire and Mercy said their goodbyes, and headed out to visit with Lord and Lady Evans. Mercy hugged her mother and grandmother and said, “I’m looking forward to visiting with Helena. We’ll be back in a few days.”
“Do give them our best,” Marian said.
Wiltshire held out his arm to his duchess. “Are you ready, my dear?”
“Absolutely.”
“Have a wonderful time,” Harriet said before joining her mother and grandmother in the parlor.
A few minutes later, Wilson knocked on the door. “A note has arrived for you, Lady Dalling,” the butler said, holding out the silver salver.
Marian took the note. “Thank you, Wilson.”
The butler bowed and left the room.
“Oh my, this is most unexpected,” Marian said.
“Gran, is something wrong?” Harriet asked.
“Not at all, my dear. Lord Hartley has invited us to tea.”
“Really?” Eleanor asked. “That’s most unexpected.”
Marian passed the note to her. “Isn’t it a delightful surprise?”
“What’s delightful?” Lord Spenser asked, walking into the parlor.
Eleanor passed the note to him.
“Now, this is a surprise. I shall be happy to escort you lovely ladies tomorrow.” Lord Spenser passed the note to Harriet.
“I’m so very pleased,” Harriet said, barely able to contain her excitement. Lord Hartley was indeed trying to court her properly. She hoped this gesture would help convince her mother that all would be well and they’d well suited together.
It was another good step forward. Perhaps things would indeed turn out as she hoped and she’d get to marry the man she loved.
Chapter 18
The next afternoon, Hartley pacedthe parlor like a caged lion. It was nearly teatime, and there was no sign of his guests yet. Today would be the first time he’d entertained at Hartley Manor since his valet’s wedding breakfast, not counting the time when Richard and George had escorted Lady Dalling and Harriet to his home for tea. It was a daunting task, to be sure, but he’d do anything to ensure he was properly courting Harriet.
Where are they? Surely they cannot have all refused my invitation?
Just when he was ready to admit defeat, he heard carriage wheels on the drive. He wanted to rush out and greet them, but he let Greenfield have the pleasure of announcing his guests. When he’d informed the cook and his butler that he was entertaining guests for tea today, their shocked expressions were almost comical. He could hardly blame them. For years, he’d allowed no one inside the manor.
Now everything had changed.
Because of her.
Hartley stood looking out the French doors at the garden, clenching and unclenching his hands, trying to quell his nerves. It was silly, really, to be so nervous about hosting tea, but it wasn’t about the tea so much as it was about showing Lady Dalling and Lady Collin that he was indeed serious about courting Lady Harriet with all the respect due her.
There was a knock on the parlor door.
“Come.”
Greenfield opened the door and announced his guests. “Lady Dalling, Lady Collin, Lady Harriet, and Lord Spenser, my lord.”
Hartley strode forward and bowed to the ladies. “Good day, ladies.”
Lady Collin and Lady Harriet curtseyed. “Lord Hartley,” Eleanor and Harriet said.
