Page 25 of Vying for a Viscount
“Yes. And then?” he prodded.
Did she dare admit what she’d been thinking? “About our kiss last night and how it was nothing like the few kisses we stole in Newmarket.”
He snorted, then coughed to cover it. “Christ. Are you trying to torture me with memories of last night?”
“Greyson, please. You’re making me embarrassed.”
“I wish I could hold your hand and reassure you that there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. But the entrance to Hyde Park is coming up, and I need both hands on the reins. Anyway, I would’ve kissed you in Newmarket as intimately as last night if I’d thought you were ready. I didn’t want to frighten you away with my desire for you.”
She nudged his shoulder with hers. “And that’s supposed to make me feel less mortified?”
“Oh, my dear Letitia,” he said, his voice softening to a low murmur. “Never be mortified when it comes to me. Finally, a lull in the traffic so that we can enter the park. It appears the entirebeau mondeis out and about this afternoon.”
“Which makes me think,” she said, her pulse calming somewhat after their discussion of kisses. “Are you not derelict in your duties to Aurora and Anastasia by taking me for a ride?”
“Not at all. I expect we will see Hunter, Anastasia, Lord Warren, and Aurora, since the four of them went for a ride together.” He paused and chuckled. “So I’m not derelict in my obligations at all.”
She smiled, happy for his sisters. “I’m glad to hear that. When do you think Hunter will ask for Anastasia’s hand?”
“Soon. I expect Warren to wait a bit before he asks for Aurora’s. He seems to take things at a snail’s pace. I wonder how he ever gets anything done regarding his estates. Aurora doesn’t seem bothered by this trait. It would drive Anastasia crazy, which is why she is with Hunter and Warren is with Aurora.”
“Hmmm. It is all so exciting. What does your mother think?” His entire body visibly tensed, and she regretted her words. “Forgive me.”
“For what?” he asked, keeping his eyes on Rotton Row, his horses, and the carriage directly in front of theirs.
“For mentioning your mother, I know how much you worry.”
“It is I who should be apologizing to you. You’ve done nothing wrong in inquiring. Mother is thrilled for them—two fewer worries for her if they make good matches. Before you ask about my father, he has appeared to rally and has his wits about him, but not the strength to leave his bed. I fear it is short-lived. I can hardly believe he has lasted this long since taking ill. Mother’s health has improved right along with his. I pray hers will last. I want my mother to live long enough to see her twin daughters happily wed and perhaps to become a grandmother.”
“What about you? She must want you to marry.” She covered her mouth with her hand and groaned. What had gotten into her to say such a thing? “Once again, I must beg your forgiveness for asking what is no concern of mine.”
He placed both reins in one hand and set the other on the hand covering her mouth, brought it down to her lap, and squeezed it gently. “If I have any say in the matter, it will be of great concern to you.”
He took his hand away and once again held the reins properly. She missed the connection, even though they both had gloves on, which kept them from touching skin to skin as they had last night. She madea strange sound, as no words would form in response to his comment. It wasn’t the first time he had hinted at something more than a courtship between them.
Could she allow herself to hope?
Risk her heart without a guarantee?
Believe in his honesty?
“I do believe I see the Duke and Duchess of Tremont,” stated Greyson. “He’s usually not one for riding in the park at this hour. He prefers to ride early in the morning. The duchess must have convinced him otherwise on this glorious day.”
Even though they touched from shoulder to knee on the small seat, she leaned her head closer. “I’m still shocked he owns the club,” she whispered.
“It’s more than that. He owns the residence next door, and many of his men who served with him on his ship live there with their families and work for him at the club. It’s his way of supporting them because he feels responsible for the attack on his ship, which took many lives and injured scores of others, including himself, when he tried to save his wife’s first husband who was also his best friend.”
“Oh, I had heard rumors that her husband was killed in the war, but I had no idea that Tremont and he knew one another. How fortunate they were to meet and marry.”
“Indeed, how fortunate.”
“On a different topic, did you write your letter requesting membership in Club Knight? If so, I can pick it up when we return and deliver it to Knight tonight.”
She shivered at the thought of belonging to such a place. The interesting question was whether it was nerves or excitement. “Yes, I have. But what if I change my mind?”
“When your membership is approved, you are under no obligation to visit the establishment if you do not choose to do so.”
“But what about the fee?”
