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Amelia must have realized she would get no further information until Mary was ready.With a sigh she went to fetch her husband, and Mary returned to Ashford’s side.
“What did you tell her?”Ashford asked.
Mary lifted one shoulder in a shrug.“Only that we needed to have a discussion and that a tour of the gardens would give us that opportunity.”
“And what if others wish to join us on this tour?”
Mary’s mouth opened, then snapped closed again.The idea hadn’t occurred to her.
He let out a small chuckle and held out his arm for her to take.When she slipped her hand into his elbow, he leaned close to her.“Don’t make eye contact with anyone.With luck, we’ll be able to slip out without anyone else deciding to come along.”
Amelia and Lord Lowenbrock met them by the garden doors.It was with disappointment that Mary released her hold on Ashford’s arm and linked her arm through Amelia’s.If they wanted this outing to look innocent, she and the viscount needed to appear as though their tour of the garden was going to be properly chaperoned.
A footman opened the doors, and together they escaped the gathering, Mary arm in arm with her friend while Ashford and Lowenbrock followed behind them.
Mary leaned close to Amelia.“Will anyone else be joining us?”
Amelia tilted her head in question.“I thought you and Lord Ashford wanted an opportunity to speak in private.”
“We do.But it didn’t occur to me that perhaps others might decide to join us.”
Amelia let out a soft giggle.“Lady Herschel wanted to join us, and I might have mentioned that you have a penchant for going on long walks.I might have also laid it on a little thick, fearing that you were going to insist on leaving the grounds for a walk around the neighborhood and that, as a good host, I wouldn’t be able to refuse your request.”
Mary shook her head.“That was quick thinking on your part.”
“You should have seen the look on her face before she pretended to hear her husband calling for her.”
Mary laughed, imagining the older woman’s horror at being forced to follow them.She doubted the heavyset woman had ever walked a distance farther than from a carriage to the door of whatever building she was visiting.
Amelia led them down the path to the back corner of the garden.It amazed Mary how large the garden was given the house’s location.Her own sister only had a small plot of land behind her house, but her brother-in-law was only a baron.It shouldn’t have surprised her that a marquess who possessed a number of estates would have a large home and private garden in the middle of London.
Her friend turned in to an alcove that Mary hadn’t even seen.“This is where we’ll leave you until you’re ready to rejoin us.Just start back the way we’ve come when you’re donetalking.We’ll raise the alarm if anyone has decided to follow us.”
Mary held back her protest at her friend’s assumptions.To do so would only make it appear that Amelia had hit on the truth.
She watched Amelia walk toward the men and murmur something to Ashford that Mary didn’t catch.The viscount bowed, and their friends turned and started walking back along the path.
Ashford stepped into the small alcove, and suddenly Mary felt as though he had taken up all the air along with all the space.She’d always thought Ashford a handsome man and had noticed that his shoulders were broad, but in the small space of the garden alcove, he seemed even more imposing.
If she were with anyone other than Lord Ashford, she’d be alarmed right now.
“Congratulations, Miss Trent.You have turned one of my closest friends into one of your fiercest protectors.”
“Are you referring to Lord Lowenbrock?What did he say to you?”
“Apparently he has no qualms about calling me out if I hurt you.”
Mary let out a peal of laughter.“I’m sure he didn’t say that.Amelia might have though.Is that what she said to you just now?”
“She was telling me that she wouldn’t allow her husband to kill me because she was certain my intentions were honorable.”
“I hate lying to them.Perhaps this wasn’t a good idea after all.”
One corner of his mouth kicked up, bringing about a corresponding jump in her heart rate.“Oh, this is definitely a bad idea.”
She had to look away for a moment to gather her wits.She wouldn’t allow herself to get carried away imagining things that weren’t possible.
“So,” he said when she didn’t speak.“You asked me a question.”
