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Maggie shrugged. He never mentioned it, and she didn’t ask.
Reese scoffed. “I gave him permission to court Maggie, and he didn’t even ask her for an outing.”
“Yes, he did,” Maggie defended Dracott.
Reese narrowed his gaze, not approving of a conversation he held no part in. “Did he?”
Maggie nodded. “He asked if I wanted to take a walk with him tomorrow morning before he started his day, and I told him yes.”
Reese scowled. “Only with a chaperone.”
“Of course, dear brother,” Maggie answered before strolling away. She didn’t wish to listen to a lecture from her brother on proper etiquette. Her mother’s daily nagging already made the fine points of how Maggie should behave and what was acceptable.
“It would appear as if two of our sisters got the best of you today. Which only leaves Noel left to strike with her independence,” Graham joked.
“One day a lady will best you and I will sit back and enjoy every second,” Reese shot back.
Graham laughed. “That day will never happen.”
Reese shook his head. “One day it will, little brother. One day it will.”
~~~~~
TRUE TO REESE’S WORD, two chaperones trailed a few feet behind Maggie and Lord Dracott on their morning walk through the park. Their chaperones were none other than Reese and Evelyn. Her brother hadn’t even given her a chance to argue. Evelyn and Reese had waited with Dracott in the foyer when she hurried downstairs. She wanted to stomp her feet in a tantrum at her brother’s interference. But that would never do if she wanted to convince her suitor she was a lady and not a child. Those days were over.
Maggie had spent the early morning hours deciding on an outfit to impress Lord Dracott. When she first arrived in London, she had fought with her mother about the long hours with the dressmaker. Now she needed to apologize to her mother and offer her a token of her appreciation. Because of her mother’s demands, she put together an acceptable appearance. She wore a light blue walking dress with a matching pelisse, and adorning her head was a bonnet decorated with yellow flowers. Dracott’s eyes had lit with pleasure when they greeted each other this morning, letting her know he approved.
“I apologize for my brother.”
Dracott turned his head and smiled. “There is no need. I understand how he only wishes to protect you.”
Maggie scoffed. “Protect? No. He is only showcasing his need for control. Also, he thinks I plan to sneak away without a chaperone during our walk since I eagerly agreed to his demands yesterday.”
Dracott quirked an eyebrow. “And were you?”
Maggie winked. “Perhaps. But now we will never know.”
Dracott laughed. “You are a delight, Maggie Worthington.”
Maggie beamed at his compliment. “Thank you, Lord Dracott.”
He tilted his head closer but not enough to draw notice. “Crispin,” he whispered.
“Crispin,” Maggie whispered back.
“I understand ‘tis not acceptable for us to speak so informally, but I do hate the proper rules society demands. Perhaps when we are alone, we can speak each other’s Christian names.”
“Crispin,” Maggie repeated, showing him she was agreeable.
“Maggie.”
They continued walking in comfortable silence. There was much Dracott wanted to say to Maggie. But the company of others so close by prevented him a chance to do so. It would take some devious moves to allow them time alone, but it was nothing Dracott couldn’t manage in the right circumstances.
“Worth invited me to join your family in their box at the theatre tomorrow evening,” Dracott informed Maggie.
“Yes, he mentioned his invitation during breakfast this morning. Are you accepting it?”
Dracott smiled. “Yes, I believe I will.”
