Roswell led Miss Bentley towards a display. “Would you care for an ice, or one of their other delectable treats?”
Miss Bentley’s eyes roamed over the fruits, cakes, and sugar-spun creations before they landed on the ices. “I wish to try the ice, but there are so many options,” she murmured. “Whichever will I choose?”
Emma walked over with a dish in her hand. “I decided on the parmesan, and it is delicious.” She took a bite and sighed. “Frankly, you can’t go wrong with any flavor.”
Miss Bentley turned towards Roswell. “I believe I’ll go with the lemon ice.”
“That isn’t daring at all,” he teased.
“I know, but my mother said it was her favorite,” she explained.
Roswell nodded his understanding and went to place their order. Once he was handed the dishes, he extended the lemon ice to Miss Bentley.
“Thank you.” As she settled the spoon in her mouth, her eyes grew wide. “This is divine!” she exclaimed.
Roswell chuckled. “I’m glad you enjoy it.”
They stepped outside and found a small table, sitting down to enjoy their treats. Roswell noted all the carriages lining the street and watched as the waiters ran back and forth to take their orders and fetch their sweets.
“Is it always this busy?” Miss Bentley asked.
Charles nodded. “It is,” he replied. “Gunter’s is the only place a lady can be seen eating alone with a gentleman without damaging her reputation.”
“I must admit that living in the country afforded me more freedoms when it came to my reputation,” Miss Bentley remarked.
Emma took a bite of her ice, then said, “As you well know, a woman’s reputation is the most important thing she can possess.”
Miss Bentley sighed. “I have learned how quickly it can be tarnished, as well,” she stated. “My mother is going to be terribly disappointed in me when I fail to secure a match this Season.”
“Don’t give up hope,” Charles encouraged. “You have only had a setback on your journey.”
“It is a rather large setback.”
“But it doesn’t mean you won’t be successful in finding a suitor this Season.”
“You are right, of course,” Miss Bentley said. “Besides, this lemon ice has made my mood much lighter.”
Emma bobbed her head. “I have discovered that a treat from Gunter’s can cure just about any ailment.”
Charles chuckled. “You must excuse Emma,” he teased. “She can get quite excitable about Gunter’s.”
“I do not fault her for that,” Miss Bentley responded. “I am sorry that your mother wasn’t able to join us. Perhaps a treat from Gunter’s will cure her headache.”
“I shall see to it,” Charles said.
Miss Bentley turned her attention towards Roswell. “You seem rather quiet, my lord.”
“I am just enjoying my ice before it melts,” he replied.
“Smart man.” She smiled, and he felt his mood bolstered by the sight of it. He needed to squash his growing attraction towards her before it got out of hand. There could be no future between him and Miss Bentley. To even think so was ludicrous.
Roswell returned his attention towards his dish and quickly ate the rest of his ice. Once he was done, he set the dish down on the table and leaned back in his chair, waiting for the rest of the group to finish.
He noticed they were garnering some attention, but it was nothing like what they’d experienced last night. If they were lucky, another scandal would break soon, and Miss Bentley’s plight would be long forgotten.
As they all rose from their chairs, Roswell noticed that Lady Persephone was walking down the street, her mother by her side. Her face lit up when she saw him, and she put her hand up in greeting.
He waited until she stopped in front of him. “Good afternoon,” he greeted politely.
