Page 62 of Kiss Me Lady One More Time
“Oh, yes. Mmmm…..”Hope’s sigh was long, drawn out and heartfelt. “Thank you for coming back to Gunter’s a second day. But who could have known that pineapple ice was just exactly the thing? It settles my digestion and tastes just perfectly divine.” She savored the next spoonful, then opened her eyes and shot up straight in her seat. “Good heavens!”
“What is it?” Penelope looked wildly around. “Are we late? Miss Nichols did say she would call this afternoon.”
“What? No, I sent her a note and asked her to meet us here. I only just realized we don’t have a greenhouse at Greystone!”
“No,” she agreed.
“Well, we must have one! We won’t be able to grow pineapples without one.” The countess frowned. “Perhaps we should enlarge the icehouse, as well.”
“That sounds like a great deal of trouble to go to, just for pineapple ices.”
“Less trouble than staying in Town until the babe is born,” Hope countermanded. “For I will have my pineapple ice.”
“Well, I’m sure my mother will grow you as many pineapples as you need. I understand they can be difficult to grow. We will present it as a challenge. She won’t be able to resist.”
“Oh, do you think so?” Hope took another bite. “That does ease my mind. Your mother is up to any botanical challenge.” She pointed with her chin. “Oh, look. There is Miss Nichols now.”
The young lady joined them and save for the moment when Hope wrinkled her nose at the girl’s order of a parmesan ice, they had a lovely visit. Miss Nichols was lively and fun and very kind. She’d only just had her first Season in the spring and had several amusing stories to share.
“I knew you two would get on,” Hope said, gazing at them both with satisfaction. “And I am glad of it. We are hoping that Penelope will be back for the next Season, and though I cannot sponsor her as I hoped, I will rest easier knowing that you are looking out for her.”
“Of course! I shall be happy to have a new friend and it will be no trouble to help you navigate the waters. My mother and father and I greatly enjoyed ourselves last spring, and I feel sure you will, too.”
“Thank you.” Penelope’s gratitude was sincere, even if she wasn’t sure she would be back. “You are very kind.”
Finished, they headed outside. Hope took a look at the waiting carriage and frowned. “Oh, dear. Would you mind if strolled about the square a bit? Perhaps I should not have indulged in a second ice.”
“Of course,” Penelope reassured her. The weather was fine and the conversation light as the three of them took their time strolling about the square. As they rounded back toward the waiting carriages, an open barouche pulled in close. A figure in brilliant purple stood and waved peremptorily at them as the vehicle stopped.
“Oh, dear,” Miss Nichols said, very low. “It’s Lady Lowell.” She turned to give the countess a kiss and a rueful grin. “Well, my dear, since I won’t be leaving you alone with her, I only feel alittlebad about abandoning you, but I do find it best to avoid her, when I can.”
“Don’t we all?” Hope whispered back. “But I understand.” She nodded and waved her friend on.
But Lady Lowell was striding toward them, now. “Hold a moment, Miss Nichols,” she called. “I’ve something for you.”
Caught, the young lady turned back and they all waited as the woman approached. “There you are! I’ve been to your house, Lady Tensford, and they told me I might find you here. I’m so glad I caught you all.” She handed out thick, colorful parchment cards to each of them.
“Invitations to Mr. Rowland’s masquerade?” Penelope asked.
“Yes. He meant to keep it quiet and selective, I discovered. Well, I quickly changed his mind about that! We all need something grand to shake us up! I’ve promised to distribute his extra invitations to anyone who might have been missed. You all must be there. It promises to be quite the event, though it’s the wrong time of the year.”
“I’m surprised you are interested, Lady Lowell. I understood there might be a scientific slant to the event.”
“Yes, well, that’s why I am helping. I’m making sure everyone who is anyone and who is actually in Town at this time, knows to come and liven it up. Who does not love a masquerade, with all of the disguise and secrecy and drama? I wouldn’t dream of missing it.”
Penelope tried to hand hers back. “The countess and I already have invitations.”
“Keep these, then, and bring along your friends. The more who come, the more successful the event will be.”
“Well, I had not been invited, but if you are all going, then I shall too, and I’ll bring Mama and Papa. It shall be a diversion from the legal issues that brought him here. Thank you, Lady Lowell. But now I must be off.” Miss Nichols waved and retreated to her carriage.
Lady Lowell watched her go, then turned back to Hope. “Tensford was not at home this morning, either. Are you sure you brought him along with you to Town?” she finished lightly.
Hope laughed. “Quite sure. He’s a busy man.”
“I find it surprising that I have not yet caught sight of him.”
“You shall be sure to see him at the masquerade. Until then, I’ll be happy to pass along your regards.”
