Page 10 of When the Viscount Seduces
“A viscount has called on you, Gwen. This is splendid.” Mama grinned. “I suppose we don’t need to go to Bath after all.”
Gwen hated that she wasn’t telling her mother the truth. Mama was going to be disappointed when she learned there wasn’t really a courtship, that her association with Somerton was entirely for show.
Perhaps Gwen should tell her a partial truth, that the viscount had offered to help his friend’s sister. But before she could, Mama had turned and was walking away. “We’ll need to go to Bond Street straightaway. Meet me in the foyer.”
There was no use protesting, so Gwen resigned herself to a shopping trip she didn’t need. She’d plenty of hats. As if a new bonnet would snare a viscount anyway. Or any other man.
No, Gwen was going to have to do that on her own. Except that wasn’t true anymore—she had help. With Somerton’s guidance and attention, could she really do as he predicted? Could she have her choice of husbands?
Wishing she could stay home and work out her plan for improving Somerton’s reading skill, she trudged from the drawing room. She would find a way to help him, regardlessof whether his plan to make her desirable worked. Because the truth was that her task would probably be far easier than his.
CHAPTER 3
Lazarus strolled into Hyde Park the following afternoon with a buoyant optimism. If anyone could help him finally master reading and feel confident giving a speech, it was Miss Price. Her eagerness to help had both delighted and relieved him. She hadn’t been judgmental, nor had she demonstrated pity. He could not have found a better person to provide support where he needed it most.
But today would be about her. Lazarus was most eager to provoke envy in at least a few gentlemen today.
Making his way from the Grosvenor Gate to the Ring, Lazarus exchanged pleasantries with many people. He did not stop to converse. However, he did inform everyone he could that he was on his way to meet a special young lady. That would set tongues wagging.
He spotted Miss Price immediately as he approached the Ring. She stood with her mother, her mouth spreading in a smile the moment she saw him. Honestly, shewasattractive, certainly pretty enough to garner attention from a number of young bucks. If not for her tendency toward clumsiness and her obvious dancing…issues, she would likely be popular. Her father was a prominent member of the government, and hergrandfather was a viscount. That alone ought to propel her into the orbit of an appropriate gentleman.
Lazarus suddenly realized he was practically playing the role of matchmaker. The thought of a rogue such as him attempting to orchestrate a union for nonroguish people provoked him to smirk. He quickly suppressed it.
“Good afternoon,” he said, greeting both ladies as he arrived at their side. He noted Miss Price’s exceptionally lovely costume—a smart walking dress of dark blue with a matching spencer decorated with gold buttons and a simply marvelous hat. “Your bonnet is particularly cunning, Miss Price. Exceedingly current.” Indeed, she would draw envious stares from other ladies, he would wager.
“It’s new,” Miss Price murmured, her expression one of both pleasure and appreciation. She flicked a glance toward her mother, who beamed with pride.
Lazarus had the sense they enjoyed a close relationship. It reminded him of what he’d shared with his father and how much Lazarus missed him.
“Shall we promenade?” He offered Miss Price his arm.
“Enjoy yourselves.” Mrs. Price glanced up at the gray sky. “I do hope the rain holds off.”
“We’ll hasten back if it does not,” Lazarus assured her as Miss Price put her hand on his sleeve. She had small, dainty hands. Very feminine.
What an odd thing for him to note. He was typically more interested in a lady’s other physical attributes. But then, he was not regarding Miss Price the way he did most other women. She was his friend’s sister and now his friend.
They started along the Ring, and she looked up at him. “Did you speak to Lord Droxford about our proposed arrangement?”
“Not yet, but I plan to. Have you spoken to Tamsin?”
“I will tomorrow,” Miss Price replied. “She is coming to visit.”
“Splendid. I’ll be sure to hunt down Droxford this evening, then. If I can. He doesn’t go out much, especially now that he is married.” Lazarus inclined his head toward a group of ladies they passed. He noticed how they looked at Miss Price’s hat. Masculine in shape, it boasted gorgeous peacock feathers and was trimmed in gold and green. It was somehow ostentatious and tastefully elegant at the same time. When they were past the ladies, he leaned his head slightly toward her. “Your bonnet is causing a stir. It really is remarkable.”
“My mother insisted I needed a new hat. We went to Bond Street after you left yesterday, and it was delivered just this morning.”
“There will be copies made tomorrow, I can assure you,” he said.
“I doubt that will happen. My mother chose something and gave strict instructions for the milliner to make adjustments. She and this particular shopkeeper have an arrangement that she will not duplicate what she fashions for my mother—or me—for others.”
“That is surprising. I should think she would want to increase his profits.”
“The milliner may make something similar, but not exact. Knowing she made this hat is enough for others to want to buy from her. Or so my mother says.” Miss Price wrinkled her nose slightly. “I confess that fashion is not one of my strengths. I am fortunate, and glad, to have my mother’s influence. I think every shopkeeper on Bond Street knows her,” she added with a laugh. “Though, it’s the same with me and booksellers on Paternoster Row.”
“You spend a great deal of time in bookshops?” Again, Lazarus nodded toward a group of ladies, one of whom was giggling and blushing as she eyed him. He was used to suchattention. If he had not been in the company of Miss Price, he would have gone to speak with her and probably flirt.
“I do,” Miss Price said eagerly. “As much as I’m allowed. I have an allowance for book purchases, and I confess I always spend it all.”
