“If you’re sure?” he said, not removing his hands.
“Mr. Maufe’s waiting, my lady,” Dent said, interrupting the moment.
“Positive.” Yet she did not want Kit to move.
As they strolled to the door, she placed her hand on his arm. Once inside, Mathers was there to take Mary to a clean but sparsely decorated chamber. A long mirror filled one corner of the room. “Oh dear. I didn’t realize how much dust I’d have on my gown.”
“Thought that might be the case. I’ll brush it off a bit now. I’ve got your pelisse for when you leave again.” Mary stood still while her maid cleaned the worst of the dirt off. “How was your drive?”
“It was delightful.” And it truly was. She’d had fun handling the pair, and Kit had been entertaining.
Mathers cut Mary a cryptic look.
“No, I am quite serious. I’ve never driven for such a long distance, but the fresh air and views made it a wonderful experience.” Not to mention Mr. Featherton had been a perfect companion. After she’d stopped taking umbrage at everything and had given him a chance, that was. “I believe I’ll see some of the town until the others arrive and have refreshed themselves.”
Kit was waiting for Mary when she strolled out of the inn. He’d been pleasantly surprised they’d spent so much time together withouthim getting on her bad side. That was the first time that had happened. “I’d planned on exploring the town. Would you like to come with me?”
She placed her hand very properly on the top of his arm. “I had the same idea.”
Damn if he’d allow her to keep putting distance between them. Considering he was wooing her, he tucked her hand securely in the crook of his arm as they turned right onto the busy main street and began snoodling toward the church. “The landlord tells me the town burnt down and was re-built about a hundred years ago.”
“That would explain why it looks so modern, even the church. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a newer one.”
They continued up a flagstone path lined with bushes just beginning to bud. He opened the door to the church and a wave of cool air rushed out. The interior was whitewashed plaster, detailed in the local stone. “Very pretty and peaceful.”
“Yes, it is.” She smiled softly, glancing at him. “The windows let in a great deal of light.”
He could envision them standing at the altar, pledging their vows. “It makes me wonder if this plain and simple interior is the way of the future.”
She raised a brow, but her eyes twinkled with wickedness. “Not if Prinny has anything to say about it.”
This was the first time she’d made a joke around him. He laughed. “Have you seen the Brighton Pavilion?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve heard about it. Grandmamma was not at all impressed. She also accused him of quacking himself.”
He agreed with the dowager duchess. If Prinny didn’t eat so many rooster stones, he probably wouldn’t be so fat. “His physician should put him on a reducing diet. He would be in better health if he lost some weight.”
“According to Grandmamma, he used to be quite handsome.”
“So I’ve heard.” He gave a shudder. “I will only advise you that unless you wish to hear the subject discussed ad nauseam, do not mention it around any older ladies.”
Mary laughed, and the sound filled his soul. Kit wished she’d do it more often.
They strolled to the other end of the high street. By the time they returned to the inn, Kit was congratulating himself for remaining on her good side thus far.
He was glad the rest of their coterie had arrived so that they could eat. “I hope nuncheon is ready. I’m starving.”
Mary nodded. “I’m feeling a bit peckish myself, and it is not even noon yet.”
“We broke our fast much earlier to-day.”
Caro and Huntley sat on the window seat of the large private parlor situated on the inn’s first floor.
Huntley rose. “Good, you’re here. Now we can eat.”
“We were just saying something of the sort,” Kit responded. He helped Mary to a chair next to Caro’s at one end of the long table laden with meats, cheeses, bread, and two savory pies. He filled a plate for Mary, and Huntley did the same for his wife.
Mary poured glasses of lemonade for herself and Caro. She held out the jug. “Would you like lemonade or ale?”
