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‘My lord,’ she said crossly, ‘I do not know why you are quizzing me. It is nothing to do with you what I or my brother do.’
‘No, thank goodness.’
Cassie was becoming frustrated at being ignored. She picked up a plate of tiny meat pies and held them out to Adam. ‘My lord, do have one of these pies, they are delicious. Our chef made them. He is a master chef, you know.’
‘No, I did not know,’ he said, taking one from the plate. ‘Thank you.’
‘How long will you be in London, my lord?’ Cassie asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
‘I am not sure, Miss Malthouse. It depends on many things, some of which I have no control over.’
‘Oh, you mean how many invitations you receive?’
He smiled. ‘I hadn’t thought of that, but if they are as delightful as the one I received for today, than I shall have to consider them.’
‘I know Mama would like you to come to my ball. It will be the last ball of the Season and will be a grand affair. Everyone of any note will be there. Say you will come. Your presence will make it even better.’
‘You flatter me, Miss Malthouse.’
‘Not at all. I shall be the envy of all my friends to have secured you first.’
He laughed. ‘Secured me, Miss Malthouse? That sounds as if you would have me in shackles.’
‘Oh, no,’ she said, blushing crimson. ‘I did not mean... Oh, dear... And you can stop laughing, Sophie Cavenhurst.’
‘Sorry,’ Sophie said, trying to keep a straight face. ‘But truly you asked for that.’
Adam was trying his best not to laugh, too, but the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. ‘I shall be honoured to be secured for your ball, Miss Malthouse,’ he said, picking up another of the little meat pies.
‘I shall go and tell Mama right away,’ Cassie said, scrambling to her feet, and added as Adam prepared to rise, too, ‘No, please do not get up, my lord.’ Then she fled.
‘I must go to her,’ Sophie said. ‘I am afraid our teasing has upset her, and I would not have that happen for worlds.’
‘Yes, do that. Please assure her I have not taken offence.’
Cassie had not gone to her mother, but wandered off a little way. Sophie went up to her and took her arm. ‘Cassie, you mustn’t mind his lordship, he was only teasing you.’
‘But you laughed.’
‘I am sorry. It was unkind of me. Will you forgive me?’
‘Yes, of course. I did not realise what I had said until he spoke. I never was so mortified in my life. Whatever must he think of me?’
‘He asked me to assure you he had taken no offence. I think he is sorry he was too quick to make the quip.’
‘You are so much more worldly wise than me, Sophie. You would not have made such a foolish mistake.’
‘Oh, I can make foolish mistakes, Cassie. Much worse ones than that,’ Sophie said, knowing how inaccurate Cassie’s statement was and anxious to make amends.
Cassie brightened. ‘Tell me.’
‘Well, I got up into Sir Reginald’s high-perch phaeton and we rode in Hyde Park.’
‘Alone?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did anyone see you?’
‘The whole world, I should think.’
‘How daring of you. Are you going to marry Sir Reginald?’
‘Certainly not.’
‘Mr Fanshawe, then?’
‘Definitely not. I wish they had not come on this picnic.’
‘I thought you had invited them.’
‘Never. Sir Reginald is a friend of my brother and Mr Fanshawe is a neighbour of the Martindales in Norfolk. Speaking of the Martindales, where is Lucy?’
‘She is with her parents. I think she was sick in the carriage.’
‘Oh, then, I must go to her.’
‘I’ll come, too.’
With their arms about each other they returned to the rest of the party to commiserate with their friend. Now that the motion of the carriage had stopped, Lucy was feeling much better and joined Sophie and Cassie for a stroll along the riverbank. Sophie turned over the waist of her riding skirt to shorten it and stop it trailing in the dirt, unaware that she was exposing the bottom of her breeches tucked into her riding boots.
The sun shone from a cloudless blue sky that was reflected in the water, which sparkled as it rippled on its way to the capital, where it would become dirty and smelly. There were a few pleasure crafts making their way upstream, some laden barges being towed by horses on the towpath and anglers sitting on the bank, rod in hand, but they didn’t seem to be catching much.
