Page 41 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
He was still thinking of a topic when he spotted his brother and Phoebe making their way to them. William could not avoid them, but perhaps they were too absorbed in themselves to notice that he and Agnes were walking the same path. It took one look into his brother’s eyes to know that he intended to stop and speak with them.
“William!” the man exclaimed. “I did not know you were going to be here. What a coincidence!”
“Indeed,” William answered dryly. “Good afternoon, Miss Philips.”
“It is indeed a good afternoon, My Lord,” the woman replied. “Not only am I walking with Lord Sculthorpe, but I have run into you as well. How are you, Agnes?”
“As well as can be, thank you. How are you, Lord Sculthorpe?”
“I’m in a capital mood, Miss Humphries,” said Jacob, grinning broadly. “I have just had a wonderful idea. Why don’t we all walk together?”
“Thatisa wonderful idea, Lord Sculthorpe,” Phoebe exclaimed. “We shall have a lovely time together. Do you not think so, Lord Hampton?”
“I suppose you’re right,” William replied, feeling pushed into a corner. “But we are going the opposite way.”
Phoebe quickly left Jacob to stand on William’s free side. “I do not mind going back the way we came. Do you, Lord Sculthorpe?”
Jacob shook his head, smiling as he took his place beside Agnes. “Not at all. Shall we?”
Phoebe and Jacob gave off the feeling of swarming around them like a pack of wolves waiting to pounce on their prey. William didn’t like it, but he could do nothing short of being rude. They continued on the path, but instead of William having a much-needed conversation with Agnes, he had to put up with Phoebe.
“What a lovely day this is, My Lord,” she remarked. “I think that I would love to live here one day.”
“It is a beautiful town loved by many,” he said, “but I am sure that Lydney is just as beautiful.”
“I agree with you, brother,” Jacob interjected. “If Lydney can have such lovely women, then it must be a lovely place to live. I think I shall visit it soon. Do you think your parents would allow me to stay under their roof as a guest, Miss Humphries? It is always much better staying with friends.”
William frowned at his brother. The man was blatantly trying to invite himself into the woman’s home!
“I’m certain my parents would welcome you, My Lord,” said Agnes, “but perhaps you should meet them first so they may get to know you.”
“I certainly intend to do that,” Jacob assured. “They are in Cheltenham right now, are they not?”
“They are,” Agnes affirmed.
Jacob continued to speak to Agnes, drawing her attention away like an expert thief. Phoebe kept asking him questions as well, not satisfied until William had given her his full attention.
“I heard that you have your own estate, My Lord,” she said, her hand slightly squeezing his forearm.
William could not tell if she had intentionally done it, but he wouldn’t put it past her. It was just the sort of thing Charlotte would have done.
“I do,” he said simply.
“It must be just as beautiful as the family estate,” Phoebe pressed.
“I suppose it is in its own way.”
“I—” she began, only to be interrupted by Agnes as she pulled away from them.
“Excuse me, but I must get home now,” she announced. “I promised my parents that Livvy and I would only spend an hour away.”
William broke away from Phoebe and felt immediately lighter. “I shall walk you to your carriage. Jacob and Phoebe can continue. We would not want to interrupt them.”
“But surely we can all walk together?” Phoebe asked. “I have to leave soon as well.”
“Perhaps another time, Miss Philips,” William said firmly. “If you will excuse us.”
William took Agnes’ hand, placed it on his forearm, and headed to Lavinia. He slowed down a little while they were still out of earshot and asked Agnes if he could walk with her again.
