Page 28 of The Earl's Bluestocking Bride
He sighed. She deserved the opportunity to turn him down, if she so desired. He hoped she wouldn’t, but she ought to have the choice.He was especially reluctant to pressthe matter considering the fact that her mother already seemed to be trying to do so, having previously left them alone together when it wasn’t entirely proper to do so.
After a few minutes, the butler reappeared with three women in tow: Miss Hart, Mrs. Hart, and a maid. He forced his smile to remain in place, silently praying the mother did not intend to accompany them. Miss Hart was so much easier to converse with when Mrs. Hart was not present.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” He bowed and offered his hand to Miss Hart to help her off the bottom step.
She murmured a greeting in return, her sky-blue eyes meeting his with a hint of curiosity. Why was it that she always seemed so surprised when he did the things he said he would?
“How lovely to see you again, my lord.” Mrs. Hart beamed at him. She was attractive, for a woman of her age, although there was little resemblance between her and her daughter other than those piercing eyes.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asked Miss Hart. His carriage was waiting outside to bear them to Hyde Park. Promenading was definitely an expected courting activity that he ought to cross off his list, and it was also an excellent way to be seen together.
The last thing he needed was for another gentleman to sweep Miss Hart off her feet. He hoped that if his acquaintances knew he was pursuing her, they would leave her alone. Of course, there was always the possibility that they would wonder what the appeal was and decide to learn more about her themselves, but he had to take the risk.
“I am.” Miss Hart’s lips were slightly pinched. “This is Mary. She will be accompanying us as a chaperone.”
“Of course.” Thank God it wouldn’t be her mother. His gaze skimmed down Miss Hart’s body. “You look very fetching today.”
It was true. The pale sage color of her dress suited hercomplexion far more than the ruffly white contraption she’d worn at the Wembley ball. Although, he rather thought that most outfits would look better on her than that.
She frowned—not the reaction he’d expected. “Thank you, my lord.”
Why did he get the sense that she didn’t believe him?
He turned to Mrs. Hart. “I shall have her home at a respectable hour.”
“I am certain you will.” A fact she sounded disappointed by.
“Shall we?”
Miss Hart nodded, so he escorted her out the door, with Mary trailing behind. A breeze stirred his hair as they emerged, but it wasn’t cold. Considering the season, it was a pleasantly mild day. There was certainly no need for heavy coats or gloves.
His driver opened the carriage, and Andrew took Miss Hart’s hand to help her inside. Her grip was surprisingly firm for a woman. He assisted Mary, too, and then climbed in and sat next to Miss Hart on the forward-facing bench seat.
“So, how long have you lived in London?” Andrew asked as the carriage rumbled into motion.
“About three years,” she replied without turning toward him. “Prior to that, we lived in a country home in Northumberland.”
He whistled. “That’s quite a change.”
“It is.”
“Do you like the city?” He always had, although he did enjoy spending a few months of the year in Suffolk too.
She considered his question. “I like the access to interesting places we have in London. Northumberland is far less populous, and therefore, there are fewer opportunities for diversion.”
He almost laughed, impressed by how she had managed to answer his question yet say very little. He now knew thatshe liked some parts of London, but he had no idea what those parts were or whether she preferred the city, on the whole, to her family’s country home.
“What sort of places?” he asked. While he admired her evasion tactics, he needed to know more about her if he intended to make her his wife.
She opened her mouth but then promptly closed it. She remained silent for several seconds. “The beautiful homes, perfect for balls, and the theater.”
He pursed his lips, disappointed that she’d stopped herself from saying what she actually wanted to rather than what she’d been trained to.
He could hardly hold her cautiousness against her. She’d no doubt experienced many shades of rejection since debuting last season, so it was understandable she’d want to avoid saying anything that may mark her as different from her peers.
But damn, he felt a connection between them, and he was excited that his hunt for a well-dowered wife may not have to result in a marriage that he’d regret. He wanted her to be truthful.
They arrived at the park, and the driver stopped the carriage for them to disembark. Andrew got out first and helped the women down. He linked arms with Miss Hart and led her onto the pebbled path into Hyde Park.
