At the next turn, Redford guided his horse closer.
"Lady Woodmere," he said as the barouche drew parallel."Lord Woodmere.What an excellent day for parading."
Mother inclined her head."Lord Redford.You are out early."
"For once," he said, "I am determined to be respectable."
Harrison's mouth thinned."We shall all sleep better if you keep to that determination."
Redford's eyes flicked to Esme, amusement dancing in them."Lady Esme.Miss Moreland.Recovered from last night's ordeal, I trust?"
"Entirely," Genny said."We survived Watford's discourse on ink.It is difficult to imagine anything worse."
Esme met his gaze with a polite smile."The orchestra was quite good.And no one died of boredom, which seems a triumph."
"Only because I intervened," Redford said.
Mother shifted."Lord Redford, if you will excuse us, we are bound for the Serpentine.Esme's friends are to walk there."
"How fortunate.I had the same idea.Hyde Park is so much improved by company that does not speak of column alignment."
Harrison opened his mouth, but the barouche rolled on, sparing Esme his immediate reply.
"Do not encourage him," he said, voice low.
"I said nothing," Esme replied.
"That," Genny murmured, "was the encouraging part."
They disembarked a few minutes later near the Serpentine.The air off the water was cooler.Children shrieked as they tossed bread to ducks.Gentlemen stood in a knot, discussing politics.
Woodmere attached herself to a pair of matrons.Harrison lingered near them.
Genny looped her arm through Esme's."Walk with me.We must admire the water."
Esme hesitated."Harrison will?—"
"Look the other way.I am going to ask him a question about whether he prefers Roman roads or Greek philosophy, and he will be compelled to answer."
"You are inventing that."
"Of course, but it will work."
It did.In the seconds Harrison turned to respond to Genny's inquiry, Esme slipped toward the path by the water.
Redford fell into step beside her.
"Remarkably punctual for a man with your reputation," she said without looking at him.
"Fear is a powerful motivator.I did not wish to risk your Minister of Chaos declaring the Society defunct for neglect."
"Genny would never waste a perfectly good club.She would simply seize control."
"Terrifying.Tell me, Lady Esme, does your brother know you have promoted your friend to such an alarming office?"
"If he did, he would attempt to reorganize it until it died of boredom."
They walked for a few moments in silence.Sunlight flickered on the surface of the Serpentine, bright enough to make Esme squint.
