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If William had heard the man correctly, it meant Lady Ashworth was most likely there to receive him, as well as Louisa. That wasn’t the best of scenarios; he would get a better read on Louisa’s state of mind if he was able to meet with her alone.
The butler led him past the formal drawing room and down the hall. “Viscount Farleigh,” the butler announced when they reached their destination.
William entered the dayroom—and five sets of female eyes turned to look at him, stopping him in his tracks. Blast it all. The situation was even more complicated than William had anticipated.
“Lord Farleigh, what an unexpected surprise,” Lady Ashworth said, rising to her feet. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” he answered, feeling uncomfortably conspicuous. He cleared his throat. “Forgive me for intruding,” he said.
“Not at all,” Lady Ashworth replied. “You have met the duchess, I believe?”
“A pleasure to see you again, Your Grace.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine,” the duchess said with a suspicious twinkle in her eye.
“And we have Lady Putnam and Miss Putnam with us as well,” Lady Ashworth said.
He nodded graciously toward the two Putnam ladies, both of whom were eyeing him like hawks who’d spotted prey, notwithstanding their knowing about the betrothal. “An honor to see you again, ladies,” he said, hoping he sounded like he meant it.
Louisa had stayed silent throughout the exchange. Considering how their last encounter had ended, he couldn’t really blame her.
“Would you care to join us?” Lady Ashworth asked as she resumed her seat. “I shall send for a fresh pot of tea.”
“Er, no, but thank you.” He took a breath. “If you’ll excuse me, Lady Ashworth, I had hoped to steal Lady Louisa away—”
Lady Putnam gasped, and the duchess bit her lip, trying unsuccessfully not to laugh—
“That is, I—” Of all the words he could have chosen, steal was the absolute worst he could have used around Lady Putnam, whom he’d already concluded was a gossip of the first order. William was flustered, unsure what to say next, which was intensely annoying. He glanced about the room, not knowing precisely where to look, and then turned to Louisa. “May I have a few moments of your time?”
She rose abruptly to her feet. “You may. Perhaps a walk in the garden?”
He nodded, concealing his relief as best he could.
“So good to visit with you all,” she said to the other ladies before placing her hand on William’s arm. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I intend to spend some time with my betrothed.”
“Not too much time, I hope,” Lady Putnam muttered under her breath.
“Of course not, Alice,” Lady Ashworth said. “Lord Farleigh is the epitome of a true gentleman, I assure you.” Lady Ashworth probably thought she was lying between her teeth at her statement regarding his character, but William appreciated her public display of support.
Louisa’s hand dropped from his arm once he’d shut the door behind them, leaving a warmth behind that gradually faded.
William held the single rose out to her as soon as they left the house. “For you,” he said as they began their stroll.
She took it from him and held the red bud to her nose. “Thank you.”
Silence.
“Please forgive me for arriving unannounced,” he said, hoping a conciliatory gesture would get them past this awkwardness.
“Not at all,” she replied. “Your arrival was a godsend.”
It was? His heart sped up.
“Lady Putnam was beginning to wear on me with all her talk. Terrible of me to acknowledge it out loud, I know, but, really, the woman would try the patience of a saint.”
Not quite the reason William had hoped for—not that he should be hoping for anything anyway.
They walked through Lady Ashworth’s rose garden and down a path that led toward a small folly set amongst a few young maple trees, Louisa occasionally breathing in the rose’s fragrance, William clasping his hands behind his back. The property around Ashworth House was ample, despite being merely their Town residence. He could only imagine what Ashworth Manor must be like in size and opulence by comparison.
