“I shall on no account mention it again,” she said, trying to mollify him. After all, he was doing her a great service with Lord Harrington. “I just thought it would be easier.”
“Easier is not the point, my girl. It’s developing the skill. Why, Beau Brummell is said to go through up to twenty cravats a day before he is satisfied.”
Even after breaking with the Prince Regency, there was no one with as much influence over gentlemen’s fashion as Brummell. Going as high up on her toes as she could, she leaned forward and bussed his cheek. “I shall see you this afternoon.”
After informing Cook that they would have company at tea, Elizabeth found her aunt had returned. She told Aunt about Harrington’s—would she call him by his title in private if they married?—visit with Gavin. Naturally, she approved of Gavin’s response to his lordship.
Several minutes later they set out in the town coach to Bond and Bruton Streets. Yet, even though Elizabeth and her aunt visited Hatchards and found several books that looked as if they would keep her attention, in addition to glove makers, several milliners, and Phaeton’s Bazaar, she could still not keep her mind off Harrington’s visit this afternoon.
Was there anything she could do to make him wish to spend more time with her? She had already tried getting him to talk about himself, and the conversation always came back to his assignment with Sir Charles. Perhaps she should be more forward. Then again, she did not wish to make Harrington think she was a sad romp. If only he would take more of an interest in what she liked, they could discuss their differences and similarities.
In short, all she knew about him was that he was extremely handsome, loved to travel, was an excellent dancer, excited about his future position.... Now that she considered it, she knew a great deal more about him than she had thought. Except how he actually felt about her.
Yet, short of asking him directly—which she could never do—how was she to discover that?
Then her aunt’s words came back to Elizabeth.
“There is nothing wrong with letting a man chase you.”
She heaved a sigh. It might be better to focus on how she wouldknowif Lord Harrington cared about her. There had to be signs, behaviors that he should exhibit.
Again, she thought about the way her friends’ husbands had behaved, and they all had one thing in common. Possessiveness.
The men’s gazes followed their chosen lady if she ventured away from them, and they attached themselves to her side when their lady was near. Elizabeth had also noticed distinct glares from the gentlemen when another man was too affable to the lady. At one point Lord Merton had actually told a gentleman wishing to dance with Dotty to go away.
Would Harrington ever want her by his side all the time? If he did, then was that the key to knowing if he cared for her? If he loved her?
If it was, he had a long way to go.
“What has put you in a brown study?” her aunt asked.
“I simply do not know if I will be able to discern by Lord Harrington’s behavior if he cares about me.”
“My dear Elizabeth.” Her aunt chuckled. “Believe me when I tell you that his behavior will make it perfectly clear how he feels about you.”
Recalling what her friends had told her about marital relations, she found herself fighting the heat rising in her cheeks. “I certainly hope so.”
* * *
Geoff held out his hand to Nettle and waited while he carefully placed another length of starched linen into Geoff’s hand. He took a breath before wrapping the cravat around his neck and began to tie it. Several minutes later, he had finally achieved the perfect Waterfall.
His valet beamed. “Excellent, if I may say so, my lord.”
“You may, and after only four attempts.” Ever since he’d seen Lord Alvanley wearing it, Geoff had been determined to accomplish the same result.
He had heard often enough that ladies liked a well-tied cravat. He only hoped that Miss Turley was pleased. “Where is that list?”
“In your desk, my lord.”
After learning that he must indeed court Miss Turley, he had decided to apply at least three of his grandmother’s and cousin’s suggestions each time he met with her.
Geoff opened the drawer and found the paper on top. Taking it out, he read down their recommendations until he came to one he thought had merit.
Ask her questions about what she likes. By the end of the conversation you should know her favorite color, which flowers she prefers, and her favorite piece of music.
More flowers were clearly in order. While he was drinking tea with her he would request a second set for the ball tomorrow evening and ask her to ride with him in the Park the following day as well. That would make two evenings in succession where he danced with her twice and two days in a row that they would drive out together. Maybe then he would be able to make some progress with her.
He turned his attention back to the list.
