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The warmth of his touch burned through her glove. The lust was clear in the way he looked at her. She knew it wasn’t proper to be seen with Andrew in such close proximity, but Tabitha didn’t care.
“I want to see you again,” he implored. “Alone.”
At his words, the heat in her body turned into an inferno of desire. She wanted nothing more than to be with him, but knew it might be difficult.
“I don’t know if I can. My mother can be overbearing and protective at times. She would know if I didn’t return in the morning.”
“There has to be a way. Perhaps you could return to my country estate with my grandmother. She could ask your mother, make it all nice and official. Then we could have all the time in the world and no one to bother us.”
Tabitha would have swooned, if she was that type of lady, to hear him speak of them going away, but it would be impossible, not with her brother’s fate in limbo. Tabitha wouldn’t be able to rest until he was safe.
“But Phillip…” she started to say when she heard a distinct voice from the direction of the house.
“Well, dear daughter, I see you have finished your visit with Fiona.” Her mother walked down the steps toward the couple.
Tabitha quickly extricated her hands from Andrew’s. What would Lady Bedford do? The older woman was used to Tabitha's outlandish behavior, but this might be too much. She braced for her mother’s scathing remarks but was surprised to hear what Lady Bedford said instead.
“I see you have brought a guest to our home. The Duke of Holcombe, I presume? I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”
Andrew stepped forward and offered his hand to Lady Bedford and bowed. “At your service, my lady. I saw your daughter walking home, and she looked fatigued, so I offered her a ride back. Miss Crestwood mentioned she was recovering from a recent headache, and being a gentleman, I couldn’t risk her health, so I insisted on escorting her home.”
Tabitha stood by the phaeton, her mouth open in disbelief at how quickly Andrew had come up with the lie. The lie her mother appeared to believe whole-heartedly.
Lady Bedford gave a coy laugh. “Well then, Your Grace, I am truly grateful to you for coming to my daughter’s aid. Would you care to come in for some tea?”
“Alas, ma’am, I have another appointment that I cannot miss, but perhaps we shall meet again. I will be attending Lord Carlsworth's ball tomorrow. Will you be in attendance?”
Her mother nodded. “As a matter of fact, yes.”
“Lovely. Perhaps I may have the pleasure of escorting you and your family?”
“Your Grace is most kind. We would be honored.”
“Excellent,” Andrew said. “I shall call at seven.”
Tabitha watched the entire encounter between Andrew and her mother with stunned amusement. Her mother was practically falling over Andrew like the young ladies had earlier in the park. Tabitha thought Andrew had forgotten her until he turned to her.
“I will see you tomorrow, then, Miss Crestwood?"
“Yes, Your Grace.” Tabitha gave a slight curtsey.
With those words, Andrew returned to his seat in the phaeton, tipped his hat, and was off.
The two women watched him ride away. Tabitha turned to her mother, who looked like she was about to explode. Lady Bedford’s lips were pursed together so tight Tabitha didn’t know what to think. Her mother motioned her toward the house.
As soon as the door closed, Lady Bedford let out a sound Tabitha had never heard, a cry of utter and unabashed delight. She embraced Tabitha and once again cried out in joy.
Lord Bedford rushed out of his study at hearing a noise he was unaccustomed to hearing. He saw his wife hugging Tabitha, a look of astonishment on his face.
“My dear,” Lord Bedford said, speaking to his wife, “what are you doing and why are you making those sounds?”
“Because, my lord, your daughter has done something which I never thought possible.” She cried out in glee again.
“What is that?”
“She has not only landed a beau without my help, but none other than the most sought-after man in London—the Duke of Holcombe, who will be escorting us to the Carlsworth’s ball tomorrow.”
It was the first time that Tabitha could recall her mother being proud of her. It was both odd and exhilarating at the same time.
