“I know that part,” Patience said. “What I mean is, when will something exciting happen? Last year, Mr. Stratton was almost killed by a tiger. Felicity says his scars are wonderful, though we haven’t seen them.”
“They’re under his clothes,” Verity clarified.
“The point is, it was very exciting. When can we expect something like that?” Patience asked.
Lord Montclave clearly did not know how to answer that question.
“Lady Patience,” Lord Dashlend said, “I am sorry to tell you that I have no expectation of any of us running into a tiger or anything like it at Lady Montague’s ball. The best we could hope for is the lady’s bad-tempered Pomeranian will make a run at an unsuspecting guest’s ankles.”
Patience looked a bit let down to hear it.
“We’ve brought Nelson along today,” Verity said. “He’s in our other carriage. He does not make a run at anybody’s ankles, he is a very charming dog and we all love him excessively.”
The duke laughed. “Good luck to Nelson trying to make a run at anyone, what with just the three legs and one blind eye.”
“That is the very basis of his charm, Papa.” Patience said.
“Yes, I suppose so, my girl. Well, I think you two gentlemen have spent long enough following our carriage. I would not like any sort of talk to go around until there is something definite to talk about.”
The duke stared determinedly at Lord Dashlend as he said it. Grace wanted to sink through her seat at the bold hint. Lord Dashlend, for his part, only smiled, while Lord Montclave looked very disgruntled.
Nevertheless, the two gentlemen had been dismissed. They both bowed from their saddles and set off in different directions, seeming to have no inclination for a family reunion.
Chapter Fourteen
GRACE WATCHEDLORDDashlend set off from the road and across the grass at a trot, quickly picking up speed to a gallop. He was an expert horseman and a pleasure to watch. As for where Lord Montclave went, she did not know nor did she particularly care.
“It seems that Grace has two suitors, Papa,” Patience said.
“I certainly do not,” Grace said. “Nothing at all has been said.”
Patience ignored this for the fan-waving that it was. “Which do you prefer?” she asked the duke.
“I’ll leave it up to Gracie,” the duke said. “If my collection of nonsensical daughters cannot reasonably pick out a mate for life, I’d wonder what their governess was doing all these years.”
Grace laughed. “Papa, Miss Pynchon was only with us for a few months. Remember? She disappeared one day and just left a note.”
Both Patience and Verity doubled over in laughter. Patience said, “It only said ‘GOODBYE.’
“That’s right,” the duke said. “I forgot she did not last long. Well, I’m sure our Mrs. Right has packed some sense into your heads about such things. Felicity seemed to do all right for herself.”
“I favor Lord Dashlend,” Patience said. “For one, we met him first and while it was very foolish to become shipwrecked, it was at least interesting. For another, I do not care for Lord Montclave. Why? He doesn’t laugh. What are we to do with a fellow who doesn’t laugh?”
“It’s my understanding,” Verity said, “that people can be taught to laugh.”
“I don’t believe it,” Patience said. “And anyway, who has the time to bother with it? It’s the sort of thing one learns as a child.”
Grace did not participate much in the long debate about Lord Dashlend and Lord Montclave. There was no reason that she should. Her thoughts felt very settled on the matter. Lord Dashlend was superior to Lord Montclave, as Lord Dashlend was superior to all other gentlemen.
In any case, she would see them both at the ball on the morrow. She had high hopes that Lord Dashlend found her in the foyer first.
She planned on jumping in her bedchamber for at least an hour before she set off for the ball to be sure her head would cooperate with her feet. She had acquitted herself well enough at Almack’s, but at Lady Montague’s ball there would not be the distraction of Lady Margaret and Lord Harraby to cover any little missteps she may have made.
Everything must be perfect.
*
MONTCLAVE LEFT THEpark irritated. He’d been lingering and looking in the park for days and just when he spotted the duke’s carriage, Dashlend made an appearance. Apparently, his cousin had been told when to come.
