Or more worth the trouble.
Chapter5
Esme had learned that a reputation for falling into lakes spread with appalling speed.
By the time their carriage turned in at the gates of Foxmere House, she had been subjected to lectures from her mother, Harrison, and Lady Woodmere's companion.
"I do not intend to fling myself into Lord Foxmere's ornamental ponds, Mama," Esme said as the carriage rolled up a gravel drive bordered by flowerbeds."One aquatic catastrophe per Season is quite sufficient."
Her mother sniffed, gaze fixed on Foxmere House."I should hope so.Still, one cannot be too careful.Lord and Lady Foxmere are...unconventional."
"Fun," Genny supplied brightly."Sunshine, laughter, possibly card games, probably wagers, and certainly lemonade that could wake the dead."
"Miss Moreland," Lady Woodmere said faintly.
Esme bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.The carriage drew to a halt.Outside, Foxmere House glowed in the afternoonlight.The yard was a crush of fashionable lords and ladies, interspersed with footman carryingtrays.
"Remember," Lady Woodmere said as the footman let down the steps, "you are here to be seen as composed and respectable.No running, no shouting, and no...plunging."
Esme descended."Yes, Mama," she said, then promptly broke every rule in spirit by taking a long breath of air.
Genny hopped down after her."Look," she said and nodded toward the south lawn."There's Alexandra, and—oh, Lord Foxmere.He looks like he's regretting every sensible choice he ever made, but Louisa seems quite pleased."
Esme followed her gaze.Under a white canvas awning near the lawn games, Niall, Lord Foxmere lounged.Beside him stood Alexandra, Countess of Langley, in a gown the color of a disobedient sky, her hat at a reckless angle.Louisa, the Countess of Foxmere, held a crochetmallet and grinned at her husband.
Louisa glanced over, her gaze taking in Esme, Genny, and Lady Woodmere.A slow smile curved her mouth.
"Perfect," Genny murmured."We have been seen by the countess of Foxmere herself.Shall we join her?"
"Do not even think of encouraging anything," Harrison said, joining them."Remember why we are here."
"To enjoy ourselves?"Genny suggested."Lady Foxmere and Lady Langley are perfectly respectable, and you cannot find fault with Lord Foxmere."
"To maintain your standing," Harrison corrected sharply."You are still being discussed, Esme.The Serpentine incident may be framed as a harmless mishap, but you cannot afford further spectacle.Stay near Mama.No private corners.And if Redford should appear—you will not allow him to draw you into his nonsense."
Esme lifted her chin."His nonsense saved me from drowning."
"That is not the point."
"It is to me," she said, more sharply than she intended.
Harrison's jaw tightened."We will speak later.For now, remember yourself."
"Come, my love," Lady Woodmere said briskly, tucking Esme's arm through her own."We must greet our hosts."
Genny fell into step at Esme's other side.As they approached the central lawn, she leaned close."On a scale from one to drowning, how delighted are you to see Lord Redford again?"
"I am not delighted at all," Esme said primly.as she watched Redford approach Foxmere.
Genny's grin widened."Excellent.That means 'inconveniently much.'"
Esme refused to reply, mostly because it was true.
James had never felt quite so aware of his own feet.
"Try not to gape," Niall murmured, following his line of sight."It's a garden party, not an execution."
"That remains to be seen," James said.
