All in all it had been a very productive afternoon. As soon as he was sure Miss Turley was the lady for him, he would ask her father for an interview.
The streets were busy with fashionable carriages and other more plebian vehicles. But not so crowded that he had to focus his whole mind on his horses, and he found his thoughts straying to Miss Turley’s more obvious physical attractions. Her nose was straight but not sharp. Her lips were well shaped and seemed to naturally tilt up at the corners. How would they taste? Would she respond eagerly to his kisses? And her hair. Her curls seemed to have a life of their own. All during tea he had wanted to wrap one of her curls around his fingers and discover if they were as silky as they looked.
Geoff might not look for love in a marriage, but he would like to have passion. That would require obtaining a wife who enjoyed conjugal relations. Strange that he hadn’t considered that aspect until spending time with Miss Turley today. Although he’d thought Lady Charlotte would be perfect for the position as his spouse, kissing her had never occupied his mind like kissing Miss Turley was doing. And not only kissing her mouth, but the swell of her breasts as well as other parts of her nicely rounded body. His staff stiffened as he tried to imagine what she would look like naked.
“My lord, you passed your building.”
His groom’s voice made Geoff look around. He was at the end of the street. How the devil had that happened? He felt like the variest coxcomb letting a lady take up so much of his mind. “I’ll get down here.”
“As you wish, my lord.”
“Bring the town coach around at nine-thirty this evening. I’ll be attending the Holland ball.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Geoff climbed down from his phaeton and began strolling back to his rooms. He’d have to make a decision as to which lady he’d focus on soon. Perhaps as early as this evening after he spoke with the other three ladies.
He entered his rooms and glanced at the clock. It was not quite five. He should have asked Miss Turley if she would like to go driving during the fashionable hour. He would have enjoyed spending more time speaking with her. Geoff began to hope one of the other three ladies was not a more appropriate choice of wife.
A letter was on a silver salver in the middle of the entry table. He took it to his desk and popped off the seal, shook it open, and read. Tom Cotton, a friend from his home neighborhood and who had joined the army, was in Town for a few days and asked if he was available for dinner that evening. He dashed off his acceptance. It would be good to meet up with Cotton again.
A little more than two hours later Geoff entered Boodle’s and found his friend drinking a glass of wine. “Well met.”
“Harrington.” Cotton clasped Geoff’s hand and slapped his back. “It’s good to see old friends. How have you been doing?”
“Well. I hope to take a position with Sir Charles in Brussels.” Geoff sat in one of the leather chairs next to his friend. A servant brought him a glass of wine.
“I’ll wager you won’t be there long. As soon as Wellington wins this war, you’ll be on your way to Paris. The government will want Louis back on the throne as soon as they can get him there.”
“I can’t fault that thinking. There’s no point in allowing time for someone else to create mischief.” He took a swallow of wine. “How have you been doing?”
Cotton grinned. “Just made major. I doubt if it would have happened if it hadn’t been for Napoleon escaping. I shall most likely see you in Brussels.”
It would be good having friends already present. Geoff wondered how many of his old school chums were going to fight. He’d known several younger sons who had joined the army. How should I contact you?”
“I’ll be with the Second Regiment of the Life Guards under Fitzgerald. If you go to wherever the army’s headquarters is set up, it won’t be too hard to find me.”
He pulled out a pocketbook and made note of his friend’s unit. “I should be there by the middle of June if not sooner.”
“Well”—Cotton smiled—“I hear there is no end of entertainment in Brussels. If you’re lucky, you’ll get there before all the parties end.”
Geoff hoped he did as well. Whomever he married would enjoy a bit of frivolity. “Have you heard anything of what Napoleon is doing?”
“Raising an army, one supposes. I know more about our troops. Although, I imagine you’ve already heard about the petty conflicts that are going on. One of the German generals is upset over not getting the command he wanted and asked to resign from his position. The King of the Netherlands is constantly complaining about one thing or the other.”
Geoff took another sip of wine. “My father’s complaining that The Peace Party is causing problems in parliament, accusing Wellington of being a murderer. His brother wrote to m’father about it requesting his help, which, of course, he’ll get. Even if Father has to come to Town. Which he doesn’t like above a half.”
“I don’t envy the duke having to deal with all the fighting among the foreign commanders.” Cotton set his wineglass down. “Let’s eat. I have a hankering for a rare beefsteak.”
Rising, Geoff said, “That sounds good.”
As they strolled into the dining room, he wondered what would happen this evening at the ball. Would he be able to choose the lady he would wed from his mother’s list? He sent a prayer to the deity it was so. The more he heard about Brussels, the more he wanted to be off.
Chapter Five
Several hours later, Geoff escorted his grandmother and Cousin Apollonia into Lady Holland’s overfilled ballroom. What a crush. “I do not know how we will move in here, nevertheless dance.”
“Never fear.” Grandmamma patted his hand. “Sufficient room is always made for dancing. Remember that many of the guests will simply move into position and others will clear the way.”
