Eugénie didn’t believe Cicely for a moment, but donned the gown, then sat still while her hair was dressed in a top-knot. Her maid teased out strands of Eugénie’s hair so that spirals framed her face. The lady that stared back at her no longer seemed so careworn.
The clock struck eight. She had at least two hours before Wivenly would disturb himself to arrive. Enough time to see to some household tasks and shop with her friend.
A light scratching sounded on the open door.
“Miss?” Bates bowed. “Lord Wivenly is waiting for you.”
Already?“I’ll be up in a few minutes.” She would wager her pin money that her maid and Cicely knew he’d arrive early to-day. Marisole clasped a necklace of local pearls around Eugénie’s neck and handed her the matching earrings. Once she fastened the wire in her ears, she stood. “Thank you both.”
“Have a good time.” Cicely hugged her, wiggled her fingers at Eugénie before leaving. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
Her friend was down the stairs before she had time to consider Cicely’s words. Were they to meet later? No one told her anything. She mounted the first step. Marisole followed armed with a broad-brimmed bonnet, parasol, and gloves.
She reached the front room to find Wivenly munching on a biscuit. “Good morning.” She curtseyed. “I didn’t expect you so early.”
He glanced up and swallowed. As he rose, his lips tilted up at the ends in a slow smile.
In two steps, he was in front of her and had possessed her hands. “You look charmingly.”
“Thank you.” A blush rose in her cheeks. Wivenly was behaving differently. His whole bearing toward her had changed, and she didn’t know what to make of it. Oh Lord. She should have donned her gloves before greeting him. The touch of his bare fingers on hers caused Eugénie to lean forward slightly. His scent wrapped around her. This was not good. Hopefully, he’d leave soon. “Would you like more tea?”
“I’d like to take you for a walk.” He grinned. “If you don’t mind. I’ve been told there is a stretch of beach past the fort that makes for a nice stroll.”
“Thank you.” She returned his smile. “I’d like that.” The area was one of her favorite places to go. The water was so clear, unlike near the docks. Wivenly would have had to at least ask someone . . .Cicely. She should have known. That was the reason she had decided to help Eugénie this morning. She would discuss her friend’s behavior when she and Wivenly returned.
Eugénie and Wivenly left the house and made their way in the direction of the harbor. “What made you think of it?”
He glanced down at her in surprise. “Think of what?”
“The beach.”
“I . . . I’m used to walking.” He paused for a moment as if trying to think of a reason she’d accept. “I discovered this was a popular path.”
Eugénie had to stop herself from laughing. She’d never seen him so unsure of himself before. “In England, where would you walk?”
Will let out the breath he’d been holding. He’d got over that hurdle easily enough. He hadn’t wanted Eugénie to think her friend was conspiring against her by giving him information about what his betrothed liked to do. “If we were in London, I’d take you for a stroll in Hyde Park during the fashionable hour. You could view the Serpentine and throw bread crumbs to the ducks.” Something he’d avoided for years, but would do for her. “Or, better yet, ride in my curricle.”
“I remember being in a carriage,” she said in a wistful tone. “When I was small, before we moved here.”
“I’ll teach you how to drive a pair.”
“Are you a good, what do you call it?” She paused. “Whip?”
He let out a bark of laughter. “I’m considered a very good whip.” It wouldn’t do any good to tell her he belonged to the Four Horse Club; she wouldn’t know what it was. “And a good instructor. I taught my two oldest sisters.”
“Bon. In the event I am in England, I am glad you have experience.”
Apparently he hadn’t cleared the hurdle yet.
They’d reached the bottom of the steps and turned east, skirting around the back of Fort Christian. The air was already warmer, heavier. Will’s shirt stuck to his damp skin, and he didn’t need a mirror to know his shirt points had wilted.
Around them, the wind rustled through the tall palm trees, creating a sound almost like a light rain. They reached the other side of the fortress, and Will gave thanks for the breeze coming off the water.
She sighed. “There is no need for a carriage here. The only horses are at the plantations on the north side of the island. Everyone else uses donkeys to cart supplies or whatever.”
“Much to my groom’s disgust,” Will responded wryly. “We discovered that after we arrived.”
Eugénie’s wide hat hid her face, and he couldn’t discern from her light conversational tone what her feelings were. Yet now was not the time to press the issue. “Do you know how to ride?”
