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When he reached the main path of Hyde Park, Sebastian had to slow down. There were far too many people to ride safely. The steed came to a steady trot, snuffling and snorting in his reins, frustrated at going so slow.
“I know, boy, I know,” Sebastian said deeply, comforting the steed as he patted his neck with a strong hand. “I’d rather be somewhere wilder too.” The horse had kept him company on his travels abroad to the continent. Like him, the steed seemed to suffer the confinement of London society and the ton too much. “To be back in the wilderness of Spain again, eh?” The horse snorted, as if agreeing with him.
“Your Grace Ashbury! Is that you?” a familiar voice cried.
Sebastian was forced to pull on the reins and put on a polite smile, turning to greet whoever had called to him. A rather rotund fellow with pudgy red cheeks that gleamed in the sunlight. The man was rather a dandy, with so many bows on his shoes that they had to appeal as much to the ladies as they did to him.
“Lord Melbury.” Sebastian bowed his head from atop the horse, greeting the man that had once been a close friend to his father.
“Well, well, I did not know we would have the pleasure of your company out here today,” Lord Melbury declared and walked toward Sebastian’s side, swinging the swagger stick in his hand in emphasis of each word.
“Nor did I,” Sebastian muttered before he lifted his voice louder. “I was supposed to be engaged with my brother today. It is the season for the hunt after all.”
“Ah, I see by your face that your brother has not turned up. I do believe young Lord Westmond is on a rather different hunt today, and not one that includes searching for foxes.” Lord Melbury was clearly thrilled by his own jest, chuckling away and turning his red cheeks a deeper shade of scarlet. He lifted his swagger stick and pointed through Hyde Park.
Sebastian gritted his teeth as he looked forward. Late-blooming flower heads swayed from side to side, dancing in his view, and the early turning autumnal leaves of horse chestnuts got in Sebastian’s way. He squinted through the blur where he eventually found his brother.
There you are.
Benedict was standing by the lake in Hyde Park, with no less than two ladies on either side of him, and a cluster of other ladies hovering close by. Each one was fluttering their fan and fussing with the necklines of their gowns.
Sebastian sent a pleading look to the heavens.
Surely, he cannot fall for such tricks.
Yet Benedict was smiling kindly down at the two ladies on either side of him, his eyes rather wide, like a child promised the taste of hot chocolate for the first time.
“He seems rather content, if you ask me,” Lord Melbury added with another laugh.
I didn’t ask.
“If you would excuse me, Lord Melbury.” Sebastian bowed his head another time from atop the horse and moved on quickly, keeping his rather rude thoughts to himself. He crossed the distance to his brother in seconds, pulling the horse to such a halt at the side of the lake that it whinnied loudly into the air and drew the attention of many.
The cluster of ladies nearby all turned their heads toward Sebastian. The fluttering of fans grew faster, and some primped their cheeks and pressed their lips together, bringing more color to them.
Save me from scheming ladies looking for a husband!
“Sebastian! Is that you?” Benedict cried good-naturedly.
“It shouldn’t be me. I should be miles away from here on a fox hunt right about now. As should you.” Sebastian didn’t get down from the horse at first. He fixed a knowing glare on his brother, watching as Benedict offered an apologetic smile.
“I am sorry, brother, I rather got a little… waylaid.”
“So I see.” Sebastian’s eyes flicked to the two ladies beside Benedict. They were both unashamed in their attention to Benedict. One had her arm through his and her gloved fingers were practically clinging to him. The other had adjusted the neckline of her gown so much that Sebastian was forced to lift his eyes elsewhere. “I apologize for interrupting, ladies, but I am in need of the company of my brother.”
“Oh! But we were so enjoying Lord Westmond’s company,” the first lady cried from where she stood on Benedict’s arm.
“This is Lady Hayes and Lady Bella, Seb,” Benedict said hurriedly.
“A pleasure, your Grace.” The young lady, Lady Bella, turned her attention on Sebastian and curtsied so far that she was in danger of tripping over. Sebastian chewed the inside of his mouth to stop himself from laughing.
I must get them away from Benedict! He does not know the danger he is in.
“Careful, Lady Bella. The ground is uneven here and you are likely to trip.” He cast a glance down to the earth beneath them. At once, Lady Bella looked down and nearly wrongfooted herself entirely as she stood straight.
Sebastian jumped down off his horse and tied the steed’s reins to the nearest branch of a tree before looking back to Benedict. The fool was now offering his other arm to Lady Bella, to stop her from falling over.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” Sebastian muttered to himself, so quietly that the group seemed none the wiser to the fact he had spoken at all.
