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The entire room laughed good naturedly. “I enjoy horses,” Lionel said plainly. “I appreciate the outdoors,” he explained. “Though I know that London has it is appeals, I do not enjoy spending an extended amount of time in the city.”
“Did not you spend a few months in London for the Season?” Mrs Rhee asked. “I thought that Mrs Partridge mentioned something about that last time the two of us had tea together.”
Lionel stiffened, and Flora wondered if anyone else at the table noticed it. She only realised because she could see the way that his jaw clenched slightly at Mrs Rhee’s question.
Flora wondered what caused it. Something told her that Lionel simply did not enjoy the attention being on him.
“I was in London for a short period of time,” he said.
Mr Rhee looked at Flora. “Did the two of you see each other?” he asked. He chuckled slightly. “I am always saying that this island of ours is very small. One never knows who they could collide with, especially during the Season.”
Flora shook her head. “I do not believe that Mr Vanden and I attended any of the same events,” she said, politely.
Lionel shook his head. “We did not.” He picked up his spoon. He smiled at her slightly. “I would have recalled your presence.”
Flora looked down at her dinner and began taking small bites.
She could not stop the small smile of pleasure that overtook her face.
Chapter 4
Lionel was glad when the Rhee’s departed. Mrs Rhee claimed that she was under the weather, but Lionel suspected that she simply did not wish to be in the presence of the Waldren family. He had been surprised to see her at the table.
Though Mr Rhee was part of a well-known family in Kent, it was no secret that his wife wanted nothing more than to leave the countryside and go to the city. Lionel suspected that the only reason that they were invited was because Anthony was good friends with Mr Rhee.
“It is so nice of you to stay for a drink,” Abigail said.
The four of them had retired to the parlor where the men enjoyed a drink, and the four of them were setting up for a game of cards. Normally, this was the time when Lionel would take his leave. He had done his duty and enjoyed a polite meal with his neighbours.
But when Abigail offered a drink and a game of cards, he decided that he would partake. After all, Anthony was someone he considered a friend, so it would be rude to eat and leave.
“I was surprised to hear that you rushed off to spend some time in London during the Season,” Anthony said, shuffling the cards. “I thought you would have avoided the place like the plague.” He turned his attention back to his wife and Flora. “After all, the city is teeming with hungry mothers from March to September. A titled bachelor like yourself would have been fresh meat.”
Lionel rolled his eyes as the two ladies chuckled.
“The mothers are not all bad,” Flora said. Lionel had spent a great deal of the dinner watching her. He found her to be a very odd young lady. In the garden, she had yammered on, asking questions and giving information freely. At the table, a wall had come down, and though she had been the picture of politeness, Lionel noticed that she thought through her words carefully during that time.
It was almost as though she were a completely different person.
“I am surprised that you would stick up for the mothers considering things,” Abigail said. She peeked at her cards, and Lionel could tell from the pleased set of her lips that she probably had been dealt a good hand.
One thing that he appreciated about Abigail Waldren was that her emotions were always displayed plainly on her face. She was not the type to attract him. She talked way more than any women ought, but he knew that his friend adored her, and he was glad to know that she was an honest woman.
Anthony was a good man, and he deserved nothing less.
“Considering what?” Lionel asked, reluctantly fascinated.
Flora looked away, and Lionel suspected that whatever Anthony and Abigail were discussing was something she did not wish him to know, which simply made him more eager to learn of it.
“Flora’s mother sent her here so that I can help her find a match. The Season might be over, but there are plenty of eligible gentlemen who avoid London, and some who are eager to find wives who simply did not spend as much time in the city as others.”
Lionel’s brow rose as Abigail spoke.
“I am certain that you know of more than one of the type of man I am discussing.”
Lionel did. He knew of several men who had no interest in going to the city to find a wife, or who were simply not ready for the responsibility. Until recently, he had not even gone himself.
“You will have to bring these men around,” Abigail insisted.
