“Precisely. For one hour, do something you have never done before. Stop and talk to a hackney driver, sit on a park bench with no object but to watch the birds, buy a flower on the street corner for your sister. And when you have finished torturing yourself in that way, you may resume your search. By then, I might even be able to introduce you to my uncle.”
“I have had enough of hackneys for the day, thank you. I would go mad sitting on a park bench watching birds, and my sister is safely out of Town just now. What, then, do you recommend, if you are so insistent on me taking my leisure?”
“Well, sir, you did mention your hunger. What if you were to walk into a bakery for a bit of bread, just as any manservant on an errand for his mistress? You could then take a pleasant stroll to that park to await your cousin and find some little spot where you could eat in privacy. After that, I give you leave to act responsibly again.”
“That would satisfy your notion of doing something I have never done before? Taking a loaf of bread to the park? I am no stranger to a picnic, madam. I have taken my sister often enough.”
“But I warrant you have never done so without extensive planning, never dressed as a footman, and I doubt you have ever had to purchase the bread yourself. You shall have to speak to the baker, you know, and imagine the horror if, while seated at a public park, some passer-by happens to glance at you while you have breadcrumbs upon your fingers? Perhaps it is not the most shocking activity you could engage in, but yes, sir, I do believe it would do wonders for you.”
“You have a most peculiar way of considering what is good and helpful for a man.”
“Indeed, I have. Come, there is a bakery just there. I challenge you to put the scheme into action before I leave you to your own devices and return to my aunt’s house.”
“Oh, no, Miss Bennet, you cannot leave me with such an assignment and then merrily go about your way! You must see that I do not expire from the strain of doing nothing.”
“Sir, I have already spent far too long alone with you.”
“So, you would travel unescorted the two miles through the busy hours of London traffic?” He shook his head gravely. “You would do far better to wait for your faithful footman to attend you, whichhe is most willing to do as soon as he completes the task you have set before him.”
“Sir,” she hesitated, looking down for an instant, “surely you can see that I cannot simply sit with you in a park. You have given me no cause to be ill at ease, but in the partial seclusion of the trees… perhaps it is as well that I tell you frankly that I am not a lady of easy virtue.”
“I am relieved to hear it. Be easy, Miss Bennet, for you are as safe with me as with your uncle. Indeed, I have as much reason as you have to be cautious of my associations; therefore, we will take care that appearances are as they should be, and you will be well protected.”
“Ah, the wolf declares he has no fangs. I am comforted now.”
He smiled. How many ladies would have gone nearly rabid in the attempt to lure him into the secret parts of a park? “Miss Bennet,” he placed his hand over his heart, “on my honour as a footman, I vow to return you safely to your relations, as virtuous and impertinent as you are now. I will even hold your parasol over you as we wait. How could you refuse such an offer?”
She glanced uncomfortably over her shoulder, her lips pressed in thought. “Very well, sir.”
Chapter fifteen
Elizabeth had watched in patient amusement as her “footman” entered the bakery, looking as lost and helpless as a puppy. She had remained just outside the door, so she could not hear the exchange that took place, but it seemed to take an inordinately long while to make a simple purchase. Fully ten minutes later he emerged again, his cheeks dark with mortification, but he smiled in triumph when he saw her. He hoisted a long brown parcel, bestowed a crooked grin on her, and announced, “To the park with us, Miss Bennet.”
It was fortunate that the destination was only a short distance away, because the constant rustling of the parcel wrapper as he tried to find a natural way of carrying it, and the intoxicating aroma of the hot bread itself, threatened to drive her mad. “Where do you think we should sit?” she asked over her shoulder.
“There,” he gestured decisively.
Elizabeth looked and found a stone bench in clear view of the rest of the park. It was cleverly situated, for it faced in the opposite direction and the foliage near it discouraged others from taking seats nearby. It also boasted just enough coverage from a neighbouring tree that it felt more like an outdoor pavilion than an exposed corner, which seemed far more comfortable for a picnic. It was both public and private, and suited their wants perfectly.
He helped her to her seat, then took up a post behind her bench to unwrap the parcel. “I hope you like manchettes,” he extended a palm-sized round to her. “These are a favourite of my sister’s.”
She thanked him and accepted his offering. “You seem to think quite often of your sister.”
He looked down. “She is my primary concern at present.”
“You must be wonderfully attentive. I am certain she can have no cause for complaint.”
He still did not look up, but she could see a wry smile tightening his mouth. “I doubt she would agree with that assessment, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth tore off a bite of her bread and chewed it contemplatively, still watching him. “Ah, I can see how it is,” she declared after a moment. “Mr Responsibility has thrown a pail of water over something she wished to do, something which seemed eminently more exciting than the path you proposed. Am I correct?”
He was gazing at her now, a peculiar expression on his face. “More so than you can know, Miss Bennet.”
“Was her desire really so reckless? I believe we have established that you must learn to accept that not all things are under your control.”
“It would have been disastrous, leading to a life of misery and disgrace.”
Elizabeth frowned. “Then I suppose it is as well that you do enjoy settling matters to your liking.”
