Forcing a smile, he turned his head. “Alasdair?”
“Mrs Tait and I were just discussing an outing for all of us before autumn sets in. Have you any suggestions?”
Miles narrowed his eyes.What was he up to?“Er… Brighton?”
“Too far,” grumped Viscount Shadwell from the young Miss Tait’s other side.
“Astley’s Amphitheatre then?” suggested Miss Tait.
“No!” shrieked Miss Nash before she cleared her throat. “Clowns.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“How about the Hanover Square Rooms. For a concert?”
“Too…dark?” ventured Miss Seymour. “There’s time enough for that in winter. We should enjoy the rare autumn sunshine.”
“I know of a fair on Michaelmas Day,” said Alasdair, “to be held at Kingston-upon-Thames.”
Everyone looked to one another and since no one declared an objection, prior engagement, or hadn’t the time to think of one…
“Excellent!” gushed Mrs Tait. “We could all convene at…say the corner of Hyde Park? Cumberland Gate? And travel together. What a delight!”
Dair took on that sly look of his. “Miles, what say you? We could escort Miss Nash and Miss Seymour in your new town carriage?”
“No!” The fierce refusal had come from Miss Seymour herself. “I-I… Thank you, Mr Firth, but I always travel in my own phaeton. Always.”
Miles felt rather affronted since his new Houlditch and Hawkins carriage had every comfort.
Their hostess nodded with a smile. “I do so admire you, Miss Seymour. I see you dashing along in your open phaeton, so confident with the reins. Even wet weather does not deter you.”
Frowning, Miles was about to ask why anyone would get wet for no good reason when Miss Nash leaned over the table.
“It does have a half-hood, my lord. And it’s just that the seatbox of the phaeton has all the paraphernalia we ladies need, you see. Flasks, shawls.”
“Spare shoes,” added Miss Seymour. “Not to mention books. And fans.”
“Ribbons, bonnets. Other such fripperies.”
“Gloves.” Miss Seymour pursed her lips. “And cushions.”
Miss Nash smiled brightly. “You know how us ladies are, my lord.”
Miles’ frown deepened: the Miss Seymour he’d known hadn’t been one for all those gee-gaws and fripperies. “Of course.”
Service of the Crown, especially when he’d been promoted to captain, had taught Miles much: to endure discomfort without complaint. To note careless words in idle chat. And to become adept at detecting lies.
Miss Seymour and Miss Nash had lied.
He sipped the excellent wine, stared up to the blackness of night beyond the glass and could not help but wonder…
Why?
7
APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS
“Well, that was…unexpected.”
