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“What a shame. I’m saddened to know you’ll be leaving us before the festivities have even started,” she said with mock sympathy. “I hear the ball tonight is to be particularly splendid.”
Mischief gleamed in his honey-brown eyes. “Oh, I think it should be well enough by tonight, provided I stay off it for a while. It’s a bit bruised, but nothing was broken. I’m sure I’ll manage a dance or two at least.”
Harriett peered at him, suspicious. Had he known she would be here? He hadn’t acted at all surprised to see her. Papa. He must have told Manchester yesterday. Well, he was here and it was clear there would be no getting rid of him. “Your Grace, have you met Lord Russell?”
“Indeed I have. A pleasure,” replied Manchester.
“Likewise,” said Russell, politely inclining his head. Silence stretched for an awkward moment. “I’ve agreed to the delightful task of keeping Lady Harriett company today during the hunt.”
Manchester’s brows lifted. “Have you? Well, that makes you the luckiest of men, doesn’t it?”
Missing the sarcastic tenor of the remark, Russell squared his shoulders and favored her with a proud smile. “Indeed it does.”
Harriett forced herself to look only at Russell. “It is I who am fortunate. You’ve saved me from an afternoon of discussions about embroidery and painting.”
Something that sounded suspiciously like a soft snort erupted from Manchester. He covered it with a cough. “Perhaps, since I have been robbed of the pleasure of the hunt, I might join you.”
Though inwardly she seethed, Harriett delivered the expected reply with equanimity. “Of course you must, Your Grace.” She couldn’t resist. “We’ll just have a little party of our own while the others are away chasing across field and forest, won’t we?”
“Right you are, Lady Harriett,” said Russell, his disappointment ill-concealed as he turned to Manchester. “We would be honored to have you with us.”
A sour-faced Nanette Finchly passed by at that moment, and all
at once a brilliant idea popped into Harriett’s head. Looking between the men, she said loudly, “With two such fine gentlemen at my disposal, I shall no doubt be the envy of all the other ladies here.” A small gasp of feminine disgust sounded from behind her. Excellent. “Shall we?” she said to Russell, taking his arm. “I believe the others are beginning to gather in the dining hall.”
Out of the corner of her eye she saw her escort shoot Manchester a black look. A rush of both triumph and trepidation swept over her as Russell’s challenge was answered with an equally ominous glare from her enemy. She’d blocked Manchester for the moment, but he wouldn’t give up. She’d have to somehow make his harassment of her work to her advantage.
Baiting Nanette had been a stroke of genius. She just hoped it had been enough to tempt the girl into trying to lure one of her pursuers away. But whether she’d try to recapture Russell or pursue Manchester was anybody’s guess. She hoped it would be Manchester.
Harriett marveled at the sheer size of Sandwich’s London house, which was palatial compared to her own family’s modest residence. Upon entering the cavernous dining hall she spotted Lily, whose brows shot skyward at the sight of her with Russell.
“Harriett, dear, and Lord Russell. What a pleasure,” said Lily, rising as they approached and smiling as though there was nothing extraordinary about their being together.
Russell bowed. “Likewise, Lady Seymour.”
“And Lord Manchester,” said Lily, looking beyond them and curtsying. “It has been too long since you last granted us the pleasure of your company, Your Grace.”
Harriett shivered a little as his voice answered from behind her, “Regrettably, I have been remiss in fulfilling my duty to my friends these past few years. I shall next week write to your father and convey my sincerest wish that he might call upon me at his leisure in the hope of renewing our friendship. You and the rest of your family are most welcome to accompany him.”
“That is most kind of you, Your Grace,” replied Lily. “I know they will be delighted.”
The sight of her pink cheeks and happy smile made Harriett’s hackles rise. She tried not to think of the possible reasons why Lily had neglected to mention that she knew him personally. “Perhaps you might like to join us today, Lily, since I know you enjoy hunting as much as I,” she invited, shoving aside her misgivings. “We are sitting out the morning pursuit, the three of us. Why not make it an even four?”
“Indeed, Lady Seymour,” chimed in Manchester. “I should like a chance to learn how your family has been since I saw you last.”
“With four, we might also play cards should the desire take us,” Harriett added, smiling encouragement. “Or a game of bowls, once the grass has dried.”
Lily looked at her with a knowing twinkle in her eye. “I think it would be a delightful way to pass the time.”
Harriett relaxed. All was well. Lily was just being polite and sociable. After all, Manchester had said he was friends with her father. Why should she not be acquainted with him?
They found a table and sat together nibbling at fruit and pastries. The dining hall was merry and the atmosphere increasingly electric as the other guests grew excited about the impending hunt.
Harriett glanced across the room and spied her sister sitting with a handsome and quite obviously enthralled young man. To his left stood the Earl of Winchilsea, who gazed at the animated Cat with assessing eyes. Every now and again, he gave a little nod of approval.
Harriett smiled to herself. Her sister would be a countess before the end of the Season.
“Why is Lady Arabella not with you today?” asked Russell, drawing her attention.
