“I suppose that at some point I will make friends. Until I do, will you accompany me to Richmond?” Richard knew he sounded a bit pathetic. Yet, he really did need to be alone with her, and since carrying a lady off on a black charger was out of fashion, this was the best he could do.
“Very well,” she replied slowly.
He sucked in a breath. One more hurdle to get over. “I shall pick you up in the morning.”
Her eyes widened. “You want to gotomorrow?”
“Yes, of course. After all, I do not know how long I shall be in Town.” Another partial truth. He could remain or depart whenever he wished.
“I’d forgotten you were traveling with Lord Bellamny.”
Richard could tell nothing by her tone. Although if she did care for him, she would probably be happy for him to leave as soon as possible. He was clearly a complication to her well-ordered life, and his returning to Kent would make her life easier.
She would not have to face her love for him or what he wanted for them.
Two ladies hailed Pae. As had happened previously, the ladies’ brows were raised until she once again introduced Richard to the women, Viscountess Pierson and the Countess of Hammersmith, as an old friend from home. After that, her friends appeared to lose interest in him.
“Shall I see you at Lady Featherton’s ball?” Lady Pierson asked.
“Indeed. I would not miss it.” Pae turned to him. “Lady Featherton always has the most ingenious decorations. Last year, the ballroom was made to look like a large tree. One would swear we were dancing among the leaves. Lady Bellamny will have received an invitation.”
“I take it you are visiting Lady Bellamny.” Lady Hammersmith suddenly appeared fascinated. But for the life of him he could not think why.
“Yes, I came to Town with Lord Bellamny. He is to give a paper at one of his scientific societies.”
“Are you also of a scientific bent, my lord?” she asked, leaning forward as if to catch his every word.
Richard wasn’t quite sure what to make of the woman. “I was part of a group studying the various flora in South America and the Pacific.”
She smiled like his cat did when it had caught a particularly juicy mouse. “I am absolutely fascinated by travel. I must invite you to dine with me.”
He inclined his head. “I would be delighted, my lady.”
That should make Pae happy, yet when he glanced at her, the corners of her lovely lips were drawn in. Was she jealous? The thought pleased him enormously.
She quickly pasted a smile on her face. “We really must not hold up the traffic. I look forward to seeing you at the Feathertons.”
A few minutes later, Lady Louisa and Lady Charlotte waved from a Prussian-blue high-perched phaeton pulled by the most beautiful pair of grays he’d ever seen. He brought his carriage to a halt.
“Mama, look at the new pair Matt bought us.” Lady Louisa beamed.
Lady Charlotte nodded. “Such sweet goers as well.”
Pae looked at the horses, then at the girls. “I can see. He always has had an eye for horseflesh.”
“Is it safe for you to be driving that thing?” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. Even Pae could not help but think he was being presumptuous.
Louisa’s giggle reminded him forcibly of Pae’s when she was younger. A sound he hadn’t heard in too long a time.
“Matt said it is safer for us to drive a gentleman than for a gentleman to drive us. At least until we come to know the gentleman better.” Lady Charlotte grinned. “He is very protective.”
Richard was coming to have a great deal of respect for Pae’s stepson, and he did not like it a bit. “I’ve never given it much thought, but I understand his thinking.”
“Mama,” Lady Louisa said. “Grace asked me to tell you she has some things to discuss with you when you return.”
“Yes, of course.” Even though Pae’s tone was even, he sensed she was nervous about something.
The girls went on their way, and he started his horses again. “Is there a problem between you and the new Lady Worthington?”
