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The carriage arrived back at Baron Beauchamp’s estate, and Hawksworth jumped down with a jovial smile.
“I think I can call that a success,” he declared. “Westbury says he is very impressed with you, Thomas.”
Thomas didn’t know what to say to that, so he stayed silent as he got out of the carriage. There wasn’t really much he could say without revealing that things were in a mess in his head. He didn’t want to tell Hawksworth about Sophia yet.
“I’m going to find your mother and let her know how the meeting went.” His father went towards the house. “This will really cheer her up. Hopefully, she’ll be downstairs to join us for dinner later.”
Thomas didn’t respond. This was another reason why it was hard for him to say anything; his mother hadn’t been very well lately, and while she seemed to be getting better, Lady Hawksworth had mentioned how happy she would be if her eldest son got married before she passed.
Thomas didn’t like being manipulated into something – even though she was unwell, she wasn’t going to die – but he loved his mother. He just wanted to make her smile, even if for a short time.
Wandering around the side of the house and into the garden, Thomas spied Edwin and Pierce lying on a blanket near the small brook that ran through the grounds. They were in their shirtsleeves, lying on their backs with their hands behind their heads. Thomas shook his head as he walked over to join them.
“Your parents are going to be cross if they see how you’re dressed,” he commented.
“They’re busy doing their own thing. And it’s a lovely day today.” Pierce didn’t open his eyes as he spoke. “It’s not that bad to be in a state of undress.”
“It could be worse,” Edwin piped up. “We could be naked.”
Thomas groaned.
“Not really an image I want of you two, really.”
“Probably better than what you’ve been through this afternoon.” Edwin rolled onto his stomach. “How was it? Is she as weird as we think she is?”
Thomas sighed and sat on the edge of the blanket, crossing his legs and plucking a thick blade of grass. He played with it between his fingers.
“I wouldn’t exactly call her weird, but things were certainly off. She’s very pretty and can carry on a conversation, but it felt forced.”
Pierce snorted.
“Of course it would be forced. You’re having this arranged between your parents.”
“It’s not that. There is something else that I can’t quite put my finger on. Plus, I don’t really like having to talk to someone when everyone in the room is openly staring at me.” Thomas shuddered. “Viscount Westbury was pushing it along, but his wife made me feel like she was moments away from dictating what we should talk about. Plus, the daughters …”
“Wait a minute.” Pierce sat up. “Are you saying her entire family was there as well?”
“Yes.”
His friend whistled.
“I’m really glad you’re going through this and not me.”
“Thank you for your confidence, Pierce.”
“Well, you know my feelings on being set up with a woman. I don’t care for them.”
“We’ve noticed that with your parents,” Edwin quipped. “How many women have you been in … intense conversations since we arrived here?”
“What can I say? The ladies adore me.”
Thomas shook his head.
“You’re such a cad, Pierce.”
“I know. And you’re still hanging around me.”
“Which makes me wonder about my own sanity.” Thomas snapped the grass blade between his fingers. “But that’s not all. Something else has come up.”
