Simone rose from her seat. “I apologize but I’m afraid I must depart soon for a meeting in Hyde Park.”
Rising, Miss Sutherland asked in a hushed voice, “Is this spy related?”
“Yes, but I cannot say anything more than that.”
“Then you must go and save England,” Miss Sutherland said with such a dramatic flair that it made Simone giggle.
“I shall try,” Simone promised.
Miss Sutherland dropped into a curtsy. “I shall see my way out, Miss Delacourt.”
Simone found that she rather liked conversing with Miss Sutherland and was looking forward to getting to know her better. “If we want this friendship to work, you must stop with the formalities and call me Simone.”
“I will, but only if you call me Emilia.”
“Thank you for coming to call, Emilia,” Simone said. “You are truly a delight, and I see why Lord Chatsworth is so enamored with you.”
Emilia smiled so broadly that it spilled into her eyes. “It has been my pleasure, and I am pleased that I now have four friends.”
Simone watched as her newfound friend departed from the drawing room, and she knew she was going to enjoy getting to know Emilia.
Sitting on a bench in Hyde Park, Caleb could sense the perspiration trickling down his spine. There was a faint breeze, but it did little to ease his discomfort.
He adjusted the top hat on his head as he waited for Miss Delacourt to arrive. He had come early to their meeting so she wouldn’t chide him for being late. She seemed to always find fault with him, no matter what he did. Which was odd. He had never had to work so hard to win a young woman’s favor before.
He was his father’s heir and would one day inherit a large, thriving estate. Young women would always bat their eyelashes at him and cast him coy smiles. But not Miss Delacourt. She seemed to find his mere presence to be insulting.
Caleb watched as Miss Delacourt approached the bench, a maid trailing behind her. When their eyes met, her eyes seemed to flash with the usual annoyance. At least she was consistent. If she suddenly was nice to him, then it might worry him.
Miss Delacourt positioned herself on the opposite end of the bench, her gaze fixed straight ahead as she addressed Caleb. “I am here, per your request.”
He glanced at her and noticed her face obscured by a large straw hat. “Did you have to wear that hat?”
Miss Delacourt gave him an innocent look. “Do you not like it, sir?” she asked.
Caleb had a suspicion that she had deliberately chosen the hat to annoy him, a tactic that had indeed succeeded. How were they supposed to have a meaningful conversation if he couldn’t see her face?
“I would have preferred to see your face,” he admitted.
“And I would prefer if I didn’t see yours,” Miss Delacourt responded. “I guess we both don’t get what we want.”
Caleb looked heavenward. Why did he even try with Miss Delacourt? She was maddening. But he did have one thing that she wanted. Perhaps he might even bring a smile to her lips.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper. “I have something for you,” he said.
“Which is?” she asked, feigning little interest.
“It is the French code that you requested,” Caleb replied.
Now he had her attention. She turned towards him and reached for the paper, but he moved it out of her reach. “I will give it to you on two conditions.”
She let out a frustrated sigh. “Of course you have conditions,” she muttered.
“The first condition is that you will inform me if the code works,” Caleb said.
“I can agree to that.” She paused. “And the second?”
Caleb smiled, hoping to disarm her. “You will allow me to take you on a carriage ride through Hyde Park.”
