Page 61 of The Earl Next Door
“Yes, of course. I enjoy talking about the school and welcome your interest.”
“Ah, Lyon. There you are with my wrap,” Mrs. Carbonall said, stepping up beside him. “I wondered what happened to you. Lady Wake, you are looking lovely as are you, Miss Ballingbrand.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Carbonall,” Adeline answered, feeling a note of sadness that her time alone with Lyon had come to an end.
“And, Marksworth,” Cordelia added, “I hear congratulations are in order—for the fourth time.”
“Yes, thank you,” the marquis said. “And I see you are in your favorite color tonight—green.”
“So you did learn something from Shakespeare’s plays when you were at Oxford. I wondered. I think it’s the first time you’ve let your knowledge of any of his writings be known.”
“Oh, I’ve done it many times, Mrs. Carbonall. Perhaps you weren’t fast enough to catch on to them.”
Adeline moved closer to Lyon and whispered, “Are your aunt and father always so contentious?”
He smiled. “No. Usually they don’t even speak to each other. That’s the way that makes both of them happiest. I just heard the call for a waltz. Since you won’t marry me, dance with me.”
Chapter 19
A canopy of blue sky and warm sun covered Lyon and his father like a blanket as their horses slowly picked their way across the acreage of Hyde Park. There was enough chill in the air to make his wool coat comfortable without needing a cloak or scarf to keep his neck warm. The wide expanse of sloping, tree-dotted land was sprinkled with carriages, carts, and people out enjoying the late spring weather or making their trek to attend their daily chores. Some on horseback, others walking, and a few seated on the ground enjoying refreshments from a straw basket. The park was loud with sounds of wheels rumbling over less-than-favorable terrain, shouts from drivers managing stubborn mules, and horses galloping in the distance.
His father didn’t often ask Lyon to go for a ride with him anymore. They used to ride together several times a week when they were both in London and the weather as fair as it was today. The past couple of years Marksworth had found he’d rather use the more convenient and comfortable velvet-cushioned carriage to carry him around than a leather saddle strapped to the back of a horse. Lyon never minded. He would be happy with a stroll. His father irritated the devil out of him at times but Marksworth was still his favorite companion.
Both their mounts knew the paths well, and they allowed the mares to pick the pace. Lyon and Marksworth’s conversation had been the usual topics they’d discuss on a mid-afternoon outing—the usual issues facing parliament, the King’s declining health, the Prince’s lavish spending, and the gossip of who had or hadn’t caught up his wagers at White’s.
A lull in their discussions gave Lyon time to think about Adeline. He’d seen her thrice in the last month at parties they’d attended. That wasn’t nearly enough. They exchanged plenty of long glances at each other but their conversations had been limited. The most important issue between them was never mentioned. There were too many dinners, balls, operas, and such events each evening for him to guess which she’d be attending. He’d tried. Short of asking her, he couldn’t know where she’d be or the time. At the Duke of Middlecastle’s house he’d actually been seated across from her. They each talked more with the guests on their right and left than to each other. It wasn’t what he wanted. By the way she looked and smiled at him,he was convinced it wasn’t what she wanted either. She hadn’t found it within herself to trust him with her heart or that he would be a different kind of husband than her first one.
It was as if each was waiting for the other to make the move to give in to the others’ wishes. He still watched for her as he shaved each morning, but that hadn’t proved rewarding either. She hadn’t been back to that part of her garden.
“I suppose you’ve heard the latest gossip,” his father offered after a time of quiet.
There had to be a reason his father said that. Lyon didn’t want to react, but found himself asking, “Probably not. It seems to change daily. What is it?”
“Not one of the three widows has allowed anyone to call on them. Have you heard?”
“That none of them has? No,” Lyon answered as his horse shuddered beneath him and pulled restlessly on the bridle. He had heard some of the men in his card club grousing that they’d been snubbed by Lady Wake and Mrs. Feld. Lyon couldn’t say that bothered him.
“Don’t you find that surprising?”
Hearing that his aunt had had lovers during the past twenty years was surprising. It was downright heartening to hear that Adeline hadn’t accepted anyone’s overtures. He’d thought as much, but couldn’t be sure. On the occasions they were at the same gatherings, she’d had no shortage of gentlemen by her side, but Lyon hadn’t noticed that she’d given any one of them more attention than another.
“Some of the gents think the three of them have made a pact not to accept callers this Season. It seemsa reasonable conclusion since they all three decided to sit out the first year they could have returned to Society after their mourning had passed. They attend every party together and seem to stick together like poesies in a bouquet wrapped tight with a ribbon.”
“Could be,” Lyon offered carelessly. “The ladies are quite fond of each other. They visit Lady Wake, but I haven’t seen any gentlemen’s carriages at her house.”
“So you’re watching.”
“Only when I’m home.” Lyon looked at his father and grinned. Marksworth laughed. Lyon probably looked more closely than Mrs. Feversham with her spyglass.
“I’m sure you have your reasons for not declaring for her.”
“I do.”
“I’d ask you what they were but I know you won’t tell me. I’ll leave you to them. However, it’s certainly not because she’s not interested in you or you in her. I’ve watched her. She can’t take her eyes off you.”
Lyon grimaced. “Are you watching her?”
Marksworth shifted in the saddle and rolled his shoulders. “I couldn’t do anything else the other night at Middlecastle’s dinner party. She was right in my line of vision and you were in hers. But since you won’t tell me what’s going on between the two of you, I’ll tell you why I asked you to join me for a ride today. I’m getting married on Friday. You’ll come?”
