“Didn’t he? I thought he did that while quite improperly asking you to spend Sunday afternoon with him while you were in the company of another gentleman.”

“For goodness sake, Blackmoor, I don’t know why it bothers you so much. After all, it’s not as though you and I are actually on an outing.”

He turned a surprised look on her and waved a hand to indicate their surroundings. “No? How is this not an outing?”

“You know very well what I mean. Certainly we are on an outing. But not in the way that most of these other couples are ‘on an outing.’ There, look there.” She pointed to a couple walking toward them on the other side of the Row, the eldest son of the Marquess of Budleigh and the youngest daughter of the Earl of Exeter. The young woman was looking at her companion with a look of starry-eyed adoration, and he appeared to be returning her attentions. “They are courting and, to look at them, they might well be the first match of the season. A good one, too,” she added, distracted for a moment by the twosome.

He spoke, shaking her from her reverie. “How does this relate to Stanhope’s impropriety?”

“There was nothing improper about Stanhope’s behavior, and you know it. You and I look nothing like those two. And everyone who sees us—especially Stanhope, who has been friends with us both for years—knows we’re just out for a ride. Not out for a ride.”

He looked at her, shaking his head in confusion. “Women truly are strange and unknowable creatures.”

She smiled at him, color high on her cheeks. “Indeed. But your kind would not like us quite so much if we were all transparency.”

After a few moments of thought, he nodded. “That much is true, Alex. That much is true.” They rode along in silence for a few minutes before he pressed, “So, are you…intrigued…by Stanhope?”

“Intrigued by him?”

“Indeed. Do you find him…” he paused.

“Intriguing?” she teased.

He sent her an exasperated look.

“Lord Stanhope is a good friend and an even better companion. He is entertaining and interesting and intelligent and full of energy. I can think of few others with whom I would like to spend an afternoon. However, you know my opinion of marriage and all of its trappings. I’m not interested in it. Not with Freddie, nor with anyone else. And he knows that as well as anyone, I should think.”

“I rather imagine that he’s not looking for marriage either,” Blackmoor replied drily.

“What does that mean?”

“Simply that men like Stanhope are not the marrying kind. At the risk of repeating our conversation from last night and engaging in an additional verbal battle, I caution you. I know Stanhope. He’s rarely after something respectable. Which leaves your good reputation in the balance.”

“I shan’t repeat our argument, Blackmoor. I will simply remind you that Stanhope and I are friends. We have been for years. Just as you have been, I might remind you. Yes, he’s a rake. Yes, he prides himself on his dastardly reputation. But you and I both know that he’s more bark than bite, and that he is approximately as likely as you are to do damage to either me or my character.” Her tone turned teasing. “If you’re allowed to defend Penelope’s honor, do I not deserve the same chance to defend Freddie?”

The noncommittal grunt he released was the closest he would come to admitting that Alex was right in this case, but when she heard it she knew she had won. For now.

Allowing a few moments to pass, she turned and asked impishly, “Tell me, my lord, in all seriousness, when will I get a chance to drive this gig?”

He laughed before responding, “In all seriousness, my lady, not any time in the near future.”

nine

Your mother allowed you to forgo an outing that would have brought you closer to marriage to go riding with Blackmoor?” Ella’s eyes were enormous in their amazement.

One side of Alex’s mouth turned up. “Indeed. When she asked me who I’d chosen, Gavin stepped in and convinced her it was all for the best because we would see a number of the men in question on our ride, and I could make ‘an informed decision by the light of day as to who I would consider a potential husband.’ She agreed without protest. It really was quite marvelous. What about you two? How did you fare on the morning after?” Alex looked from Ella to Vivi as they walked across Hyde Park meadow searching for the perfect spot to picnic in the midday sun.

Vivi spoke first. “I received callers all afternoon, which was as uninspiring as one would imagine, considering that both of my aunts swooped in to chaperone the entire event.” Alex and Ella groaned in sympathy as Vivi went on. “Individually, they’re tolerable, but as a pair, they’re completely insufferable. They simpered over every eligible male who entered the house with a complete disregard for personality or motive. It appears all they’re hoping for is a heartbeat. I’ve never been happier to see my father as I was when he came home and ended the whole fiasco.”

“So you didn’t receive a visit from The One, I’m guessing?” Ella asked drily.

Vivi laughed and shook her head. “I certainly hope not!” Pointing to a sunny rise in the meadow nearby, perfectly situated under an enormous oak, she suggested, “I think that looks like the perfect spot for a picnic.”

Alex agreed, “And it’s in a line of sight to the entrance to the park, which means Nick and Kit will find us easily.”

The girls continued chatting happily as two footmen spread a large square of linen on the warm green grass and set stakes at its corners to anchor it in the spring breeze. One set a large wicker basket that he had carried from the carriage on the edge of the square, stood, and spoke. “My ladies, your picnic is ready.”

Vivi turned with a smile. “Thank you, George. And you, John. This is lovely. There’s no need for you to stand on ceremony…please, enjoy this wonderful day.” With short bows to the girls, the two footmen moved several yards off to join the girls’ ladies’ maids, who were acting as chaperones for the afternoon. The servants opened a second basket of food and began their own afternoon luncheon.

The girls had just settled down and started unpacking the picnic basket when they heard a loud noise from across the meadow and saw Nick and Kit running toward them with no regard for decorum. Alex shook her head, watching them. “Boys. A shilling says that Nick challenged Kit to a race.”

Ella looked up from her task and grinned. “Kit will win, as always.”

“And Nick will pout, as always.” Vivi looked out across the meadow in the direction from which the boys had come. “It looks like someone else came with them…” She squinted in the sunlight to make out the figure. “Is that Lord Stanhope?”

Alex shielded her eyes in the midmorning sun and attempted to make out the features on the young man in the distance. “It certainly is Stanhope…I had better be careful,” she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Blackmoor thinks I’m in danger of spending too much time with him.”

Ella settled onto the blanket and smoothed her skirts before beginning to unpack the luncheon from the basket. “Yet another double standard. Rakes are too dangerous as companions to women, but when there are other men nearby, they’re perfectly acceptable…as long as they have a title.”

Vivi looked at her friend thoughtfully. “I think perhaps Stanhope is a rake willing to be reformed.”

“If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting”—Alex stared wide-eyed at her friend—“your brain is obviously addled.”

“Think what you will.” Vivi smiled smugly. “I wager I’ll be proven right before the afternoon is through.”

A smart retort was left on the tip of Alex’s tongue as Kit flew up the rise and nearly crashed into the massive oak. Turning quickly, he leaned back against the tree with his arms crossed and made a show of looking bored as Nick tore up behind him.

“Oh, Nick, you’re here at last. We were just wondering what had happened to you.”

Nick glared at his brother while he caught his breath. “I’ll get you next time—I didn’t eat much of a breakfast today.”

“Is that your excuse for all the other times you’ve lost to him in a footrace?” Alex said teasingly. “Really, Nick…I should think you’d have learned your lesson by now. He’s faster than you.”

Kit smirked at his brother. “See? Even our baby sister knows it.”

Taking a glass of lemonade from Ella, Alex continued, “However, given the choice between speed and intelligence, I’d say you made away with the better part of that deal.” Everyone laughed at Kit’s narrowed eyes and, with a smile, Alex extended a plate of roasted quail to him as a peace offering.

“Did you bring Lord Stanhope with you?” asked Alex. “Or is it coincidence that he’s heading in this direction?”

Nick shook his head. “Stanhope called on us this morning at Worthington House. After some conversation, he decided to join us.”

Vivi looked straight at Alex and queried innocently, “Oh? He just stopped by Worthington House this morning? By chance?” Alex shot her friend a quelling look. Vivi popped a grape in her mouth and smiled around it. After swallowing, she continued, not looking away from her friend, “How interesting.”

Stanhope heard the tail end of the conversation and spoke as he climbed the last few feet of the rise to the picnic blanket. “I hope you don’t mind my intrusion, my ladies.” Bowing low, he granted the girls one of his trademark lopsided grins, letting his gaze linger on Alex. “When I heard such a trio would be here, I couldn’t resist tagging along.”

“By all means, Lord Stanhope, there is plenty to be shared, including this lovely spot.” Ella spoke from her perch on the corner of the blanket. She had extracted her journal and begun sketching the scenery that lay before them.

“Indeed.” The tenor of Stanhope’s voice deepened and he winked exaggeratedly at Alex, who couldn’t contain her laughter at his obvious flirting. In return, he offered her another broad grin, and seated himself on the blanket, leaning back against the trunk of the oak and accepting an oat cake from a basket proffered by Vivi, who was struggling to keep her smug look unnoticed.

Alex rolled her eyes at her friend and turned so that Vivi wasn’t in her direct line of sight. “Lord Stanhope, I seem to recall Will saying that you have a talent for art. Is that still the case?”

Stanhope shook his head. “To be honest, Lady Stafford, it’s been years since I’ve had a hand in artistry of any kind. I’m sorry to disappoint.” Redirecting his gaze to Ella, he continued, “But Lady Eleanor, I see that you are quite the accomplished artist. Would you be willing to show us the contents of your sketchbook?”

Ella looked up from her work, appearing not a little like a doe caught unawares by a hunter. After clearing her throat daintily, something that her friends knew she did to gain time to think of a proper response, she seemed to realize that Stanhope was not the type of person to take no for an answer. Add to that Nick’s encouraging, “Lady Eleanor is too modest—she has a remarkable eye for charcoal drawings,” and she knew she couldn’t escape.

Flipping to the front of her sketchbook, Ella quickly turned the pages, past landscapes and still life drawings, saying, “It’s all quite boring, actually…”

When she reached a page in the book that held a stunning portrait of Alex, Stanhope spoke quietly, “That’s not at all boring.” Vivi coughed into her hand; Alex shot her an exasperated glance.

“May I?” He reached for the sketchbook, which Ella turned over reluctantly.

Looking down at the drawing, Stanhope spoke, his voice thick with appreciation. “It’s a remarkable likeness, Lady Eleanor. You’ve captured movement and life here—something that is virtually impossible for most who try their hand at being artists.” Smiling at Ella, he continued, “Now I understand why I rarely see you without paper and pencil.”

He continued to flip through the sketchbook, pointing out places where Ella had drawn a perfect line, or shaded a figure just so. The two were soon deep in conversation about Ella’s art, and his compliments were so heartfelt that Alex had no doubt that Freddie Stanhope was far less of a rake than he let on.

Even Nick and Kit were distracted from their discussion of the new curricle that had just passed the group; they appeared slightly dumbfounded at the earnestness of their friend. Alex couldn’t resist saying, “You see? It wouldn’t hurt the two of you to take some interest in something other than horses, hunting, and cards. Perhaps you should consider taking up a pursuit or two which are slightly more cultured?”

Vivi spoke up, laughing at Alex, “At the risk of betraying our friendship, Alex, it’s not as though you’ve been consumed by artistic tendencies yourself.”

Alex smiled broadly. “On the contrary…I’m just not good at them, so I leave them to you and Ella. Instead, I endeavor to be an excellent champion of the arts. I think I’m quite a success at that.”

Stanhope looked up from his appreciation of Ella’s work and smiled back at her. “Champions are certainly as important as the artists themselves, Lady Alexandra.”

She laughed. “Thank you, Lord Stanhope, you’re very kind, although I’ll admit I’m not sure I believe you.” Her response brought a rich laugh from him, reminding her of how much she had always enjoyed his company.

He moved closer, replying with a gleam in his rich brown eyes, “Then I shall have to attempt to convince you.”