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***
“I fear it does look like rain.” Araminta felt quite pleased about this as she gazed at the overcast sky.
Cousin Stephen had accompanied her to Rotten Row, where Lord Ludbridge would shortly collect her. After that, the two of them would take a bowl through the streets to the outskirts of the city, where Lord Ludbridge would introduce her to—she couldn’t believe this part—his mother. Yes, his mother! He’d sent a note round the previous evening to make the final arrangements.
Now Cousin Stephen was levelling at her that censorious look that made her want to slap him. “I trust you will behave, Araminta.”
“Behave, Cousin Stephen? I’m sure that is rather rich coming from you, of all people.” She dropped her eyes and slanted a sly look up at him. “I declare, I was never more shocked than the day I followed you to the river and found you—”
“Dear God, that is not something to bring up in public!” he exclaimed. “You were...spying on me.”
She raised her eyes heavenward in mock forbearance, glad to have embarrassed him. At the time to which she referred, less than a year before, she’d been desperate to snare Cousin Stephen for her own husband. The sight of him lying, naked, on the river bank—in fact, more than simply naked but indulging in some very unrespectable self-pleasuring—had been wickedly erotic. Her pride had been sorely dented when he’d so roundly rejected her and sent her on her way after she’d made herself known.
These days, her once dashing Cousin Stephen was more like a boring uncle, the way he doted on Araminta’s mother and the new baby, eschewing all pleasure-loving when he could have been a handsome consort for the occasions Araminta wasn’t dancing with someone else. Now Cousin Stephen was spending a few days in town on business but rather than stay for any of the entertainments on offer, he planned to return to The Grange before the end of the week.
“Besides,” she added, full of self-righteous indignation, “I think that when compared to my scandalous sister, I should be thoroughly commended for my wise choice of potential husband. Mama will love Lord Ludbridge, do you not think?”
Cousin Stephen’s smile softened. “I believe she will. So you are confident, then, of his affections and you truly anticipate success? It’s not very long ago that you were pining for Sir Aubrey.”
“You make it sound like some coarse competition,” Araminta huffed before her lips curved up into a satisfied grin. “Yes, Lord Ludbridge is smitten. And to think that he is taking me to meet his mother after we will have spent twenty minutes alone in an open high-topped phaeton. What could go wrong? I am very confident that he returns my affections, Cousin Stephen.”
“And do you return Lord Ludbridge’s affection, equally? I mean, it’s not just because it’s nearly the end of your second season?”
“Goodness, how many times must I repeat myself? I’m hoping to make him my husband, didn’t I say? Then it doesn’t matter if Papa loses all his money. At least I won’t have to work as a dowdy governess like—”
She pressed her lips together. Her half-sister was a complication she would rather not have as part of the family. “Oh look!” She clapped her hands together as she hurried forward. “Here he comes. Goodness, what a fine pair of high-steppers.” Araminta knew it was a clever move to admire Lord Ludbridge’s two proud bay mares. These things were important to Corinthians like His Lordship; only His Lordship wasn’t vain like so many who bore the moniker.
“I’m glad you like them, Miss Partington. Here, let me help you up.”
She grasped his hand, laughing as he swung her up over the wheel and deposited her onto the seat beside him. “Goodbye, Cousin Stephen. You mustn’t worry too much.”
“Miss Partington’s in safe hands, I assure you,” Lord Ludbridge called out as he flicked the ribbons and the equipage flew forward, catching Araminta by surprise as she was dislodged, falling back against Lord Ludbridge’s chest. Already things were going well, she thought as he apologized, for she’d only had to make a small adjustment to the trajectory of her landing.
And now he was snuggling her against his side, first holding the reins in both hands and then relinquishing one hand so he could snake it about her shoulders. She raised her head to smile at him, murmuring loudly enough so he could hear above the noise, “Oh, this is nice.”
“Very nice,” he agreed. “My dear mama is very much looking forward to meeting you.”
“I fear she may disapprove,” Araminta replied, making a moue, holding back the feathers of her leghorn bonnet that were being blown about by the wind.
“Disapprove? Why?”
“Because of the scandal involving my sister. I was afraid no one would want to be associated with me after Hetty simply abandoned all her morals and ran away with a man everyone knows is...well, you know what I mean, Lord Ludbridge.”
“I cannot hold you responsible for your sister’s actions.” He looked discomforted as he admitted, “It’s true that Mama was concerned but she is a fair woman. When she meets you, she will love you for the kind and virtuous young lady you are, Miss Partington.”
“Oh, I do hope so.” Impulsively Araminta rested her head on his shoulder and her hand upon his heart, before drawing back quickly, as if remembering herself. “Forgive me, Lord Ludbridge,” she cried, biting her lip. “You make me forget myself. I do not think I have ever met such a lovely man as you.”
He colored as he stared at her a moment before having to return his attention to the road. “You are truly adorable,” he muttered, patting her arm, clearly quite distracted.
Araminta glanced at the sky once more, wishing it would rain so they would have the excuse of having to find shelter somewhere. But they arrived quite dry at the estate by the river which, Araminta soon learned, was the dowager’s favorite abode as she did not care for the large, draughty home in the highlands or the antiquated Queen Anne house in Essex.
Her Ladyship greeted her with formal reserve at the bottom of the steps of a large, square, stately building. “I am pleased to meet you at last, Miss Partington. My son has spoken about you in glowing terms, though I believe you’ve known one another for but a short time.”
“One does not always need a long time to know one’s heart, Mother,” Lord Ludbridge said, thrilling Araminta with his words, though his mother’s response suggested this might be a topic they’d been over before.
Once seated in the drawing room, Araminta pretended interest in a stuffed fox in a glass jar upon a nearby table. “Did you used to follow the hunt, my lady?”
“I remain an excellent horsewoman, Miss Partingon, and am not yet too old for the sport.”
