Gavin was glad Frits had arranged that their party stop for a leisurely luncheon before arriving in Town. The sole purpose of the respite was to allow the senior servants to arrive before them. The inn was known to Frits and even though it was busy, the landlord found them a private parlor. The parlor was well appointed with lace curtains, a large table for dining, and three sofas.
The duchess and Lady Featherton had managed to bring Lady Aurelia with them. “Lord Lytton is following. I expect him here shortly.”
Gavin and Frits exchanged a glance. They had both promised to at least attempt to like Lytton. Still, the story Exeter had told Gavin held them back. “Perhaps we should ask him about it.”
“But not here.” Littleton glanced at the ladies. “Once we’re back in Town.”
“Of course.” Gavin looked at Georgie, who glanced up at the same moment with a resigned expression on her lovely face. “It’s a plot to keep us apart.”
His friend raised his mug of ale. “I have absolutely no doubt you are correct. You will still be allowed free access to Littleton House.”
“I’d rather she had free access to Turley House.” He knew he was grumbling. In the grand scheme of things, two weeks was not that long. Still . . . “What am I going to do for two weeks?”
“Depending on when the banns are called, you might have to procure a license.”
“There is that. I can only hope that she decides my house needs a great deal of redecoration.”
Littleton snickered. “I have a feeling gowns and the like will come first.”
Gavin remembered the orgy of shopping that had been done before his sister’s wedding. “That’s true. But”—and the thought made him happier—“once the initial selections have been made, the gowns must be sewn and that does not require Georgie to be present.”
“There is that. And you have the Lords. Something must be going on there. Exeter can bring you up-to-date.”
“That too.” Although, Gavin would be happier if he could just take his betrothed to his estate and marry there. “It will go by quickly.” It wouldn’t but he’d keep telling himself that.
He and Littleton were sitting on a window seat at the front of the building and the sounds of carriages filtered in from the yard below. “I wonder when Lytton will arrive.”
“Not soon enough. I wish to depart within the hour. We’ve given our servants more than enough time to arrive in Town.”
Carrying a glass of wine, Lady Littleton strolled over to them. “You look as if you wish to leave.”
“We were just discussing it,” Littleton said. “That and Lytton.”
“Ah.”
Suddenly, Gavin got the impression that her ladyship knew much more about his lordship than they did. “I have to assume that if the duchess supports that match, he cannot be as bad as we think him.”
“You are correct. She is aware of a great deal, including the reason he jilted a young lady.” She took a sip of wine then glanced at both of them. “His aunt demanded it.”
Littleton’s jaw clenched and Gavin did the same. “Or she’d cut off any funds.”
“Yes. She also made him feel as if he was never as good as others. You see, his mother’s grandfather was in trade.”
“That explains a lot.”
Littleton nodded. “It does indeed.”
“I do not believe he is a bad man, simply one who has never been in control of his life or felt that he deserves his station.” She took another sip of wine before ambling back to the other ladies.
“Drat it all.” Gavin took a pull of the excellent local ale. “I suppose we’ll have to try to like him.”
“I rather think that was the purpose of her coming over here.”
Footsteps could be heard coming from the corridor, the door opened, and the landlord said, “Here they are, my lord.”
“Thank you.” Lytton stood in front of the now closed door as if he didn’t know what to do.
Lady Aurelia pushed back her chair, but Gavin poured beer into a mug. “You should try the ale. It’s quite good.”
