Pae shrugged lightly. “It is nothing, really.”
“It must be something. The request seemed to make you uneasy.” He covered her hand with his, giving her as much support and comfort as he could. “I may not have seen you for several years, but I can still sense when you are unhappy.”
“Not . . . unhappy. Never that. It is merely that . . . well, to be truthful, I have never learned to hold house, and at times I exceed my allowance.”
Irritation that Lady Worthington would chastise Pae as if she were nothing more than an errant child surged through him. “I hardly think it is her place to correct you.”
“Oh, Richard.” She turned her hand and wrapped her fingers around his. “It is not like that at all. Please do not think it. Grace simply goes over the accounts with me, and if I require a loan, she makes the arrangements. She is never cross about it. It is I who am always mortified that I cannot keep my accounts in order. We even agreed that I should receive my money twice a month rather than quarterly to make it easier for me to keep track of it.” She heaved a sigh. “You see, I have no head for numbers.”
No. He did not understand. She had always been clever and quick-witted. She beat him to flinders at charades and other word games. However, an inability to perform accounting was no great thing, after all. One could always hire a secretary. Yet there seemed to be something else entirely going on with Pae’s life that made him wonder if all was not right. If only he knew what it was.
Chapter Five
The following morning, Patience awoke much earlier than usual. The bed hangings were still drawn, and no sound of her maid could be heard.
What was she doing up so early in the first place?
Reaching out, she tugged the bellpull. Several minutes later, her maid arrived carrying a cup of tea accompanied by two pieces of toast and an egg. “Your wash water will be up in a moment.” She arranged Patience’s breakfast on the bedside table. “Did one of the girls wake you up?”
“No. I simply awoke. What time is it?” Patience picked up the cup and sipped, savoring the strong blend of Assam and Ceylon.
“Going on nine.”
Goodness, she was up betimes. Then she remembered that Richard was coming for her. “I must hurry. I am to drive out to Richmond at ten o’clock.”
Shortly before the hour, while she and her maid were staring at each other in the dressing mirror after she had rejected yet another hairstyle, a footman came to announce that Lord Wolverton had arrived and was waiting in the front parlor.
“Now, my lady, you must decide.” Reid’s face was set in stern lines.
“A simple knot.” Patience nodded. “I will be wearing a bonnet, so it will not matter.”
Fifteen minutes later, she descended the stairs to find Richard pacing the hall. “Is something wrong?”
“Not now.” He smiled. Taking her arm he led her to his carriage, and in a few moments they were winding their way through the streets of London. “You will be happy to hear I have received an invitation to dine at Lady Hammersmith’s house two days hence. I know how much you wish me to begin finding my own way amongst theton.”
Perhaps, butnotwith Maria Hammersmith. The woman would have poor Richard for breakfast. “Charming. Have you sent your acceptance yet?”
“I haven’t had time. I shall do so when we return this afternoon.”
Patience stifled a sigh of relief. There must be another entertainment more suitable for him to attend. She searched her mind and had it. “What terrible timing. That is the evening of one of Lady Evesham’s political parties.” She slid a glance at him. “You did say you wished to become more active in the Lords.”
“Bad luck, indeed. I shall send my regrets to her ladyship.” The corners of his lips curled up slightly.
That could mean anything. Had he not wished to attend Maria’s dinner, or was he pleased about meeting other peers? What a bother it was only to be able to see his profile. When she glanced up a large wagon was in the middle of the road. “Take care of that dray.”
He skillfully maneuvered around the conveyance. “Thank you. I’m not used to all this traffic.”
In no time at all, it seemed, they were out of the city and on the main road to Richmond, the vehicles and crowds left behind. Why had she not thought to come out here before? It was much more pleasant than being in Town all the time. “The weather is lovely.”
“It is. I ordered it just for you. Thank you for accompanying me.”
She smiled to herself, remembering other times he had claimed to control the weather. “Thank you for suggesting it. It has been an age since I’ve been out here.”
An hour later, they arrived at the large park bordering the Thames, and Richard drew the carriage to a stop. Jumping down, he fetched a basket from the back of the curricle before lifting her from the carriage.
The moment his arms circled her waist, she caught her breath.
I should not be having this type of reaction to him. What we had was long ago. I’m too old to feel this way.
