“It would be best if everyone in the family came,” Harriet encouraged.
Frowning, Lord Bideford said, “I suppose I could move some things around, but no dawdling.”
Emma clapped her hands in excitement. “I haven’t been to Gunter’s in ages!”
“By ages, you mean a few weeks ago when I accompanied you?” Charles asked good-naturedly.
“I suppose it has only been a few weeks,” Emma replied.
Harriet looked at Ellie expectedly. “Are you in, my dear?”
Ellie glanced around the table and saw all of them giving her encouraging smiles, except for Lord Bideford. A wry smile twisted his lips, his gaze faintly annoyed. But she knew that was the only encouragement she was going to get from him.
“I suppose I wouldn’t mind trying Gunter’s,” she said hesitantly.
Emma shifted in her chair to face her. “They have the most delectable flavors,” she revealed. “You will have a most difficult time choosing just one.”
Charles chuckled. “Emma is the least decisive person when it comes to ordering at Gunter’s. She will stare at the flavors for hours, if you allow her to.”
Ellie snuck a glance at Lord Bideford and saw that he was watching her. Rather than look away, he spoke. “You must be strong. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
“I’m glad to hear it, because there is a lot at stake with this outing.”
“I am well aware.”
Lord Bideford bobbed his head in approval. “Good.” He pushed back his chair and rose. “I will be in my study until we depart.”
To Ellie’s surprise, he stopped next to her and placed his hand gently on her shoulder, causing a flutter in her stomach. “We are all in this together,” he said in a low voice.
Before she could reply, Lord Bideford removed his hand and departed from the room without saying another word. She found it odd that she had such a reaction to his touch. Perhaps dancing the waltz with him the night before affected her more than she realized. It had been a magical moment for her, but she knew that Lord Bideford did not feel the same way. He had only danced with her out of obligation.
Regardless, it would be in her best interest if she did not develop feelings for the cantankerous marquess.
13
Roswell walked nextto Miss Bentley as they approached Gunter’s Tea Shop. She’d said very little on the carriage ride over, and he hoped that she was up to the task at hand. She needed to be strong.
He decided to break the silence. “Are you nervous?”
“Dreadfully,” Miss Bentley admitted.
“I assumed as much, but you have no reason to be.”
She glanced over at him, her brows knitted. “I don’t?”
“Not at all,” he replied. “We are all here to ensure this outing is successful.”
“I think we both know what is at stake if I don’t marry this Season.”
With an encouraging smile, he said, “With any luck, my solicitor has made some progress on your case and you won’t need to marry quickly.”
“Wouldn’t that be grand?”
As they entered Gunter’s, Emma spoke up in excitement. “I believe I will try the artichoke ice cream,” she said. “Wait… no. I am going with orange flower.”
Charles chuckled as he shook his head. “So it begins,” he joked.
