Page 40 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Chapter Fourteen

Minta paced herbedchamber, nerves flitting through her. She finally forced herself to stop and went and stood in front of the window that gazed out upon the square below. Soon, their two guests would be arriving for tea and she was eager to see both men. She knew relatively little about Lord Boxling but he was most attractive and interesting. She would like to get to know more about the viscount.

Then there was Lord Kingston, an enigma to her. He seemed to blow hot and cold where she was concerned and Minta did not know if she liked that about him or if she should move on to someone who displayed his feelings more plainly and consistently. The fact she already had two men interested in her bolstered her confidence. She might find others interesting as well, once the Season began. However, she felt she might sort out at least some of her feelings once today’s tea concluded.

She saw movement and noticed a carriage had pulled up in front of her uncle’s townhouse. Moments later, out climbed Lord Boxling and she knew she should hurry to the drawing room in order to be there in time to greet him.

Entering the drawing room, she found Uncle West and Aunt Phyllis already there.

“I was about to send a maid to summon you, Minta,” her aunt gently chided. “I did not want you to be late to tea.”

Before Minta could respond, the butler appeared and announced, “Lord Boxling is here, my lord.”

“Please show him in,” her uncle told the servant and the viscount moved through the doors gracefully.

He crossed the drawing room to them, bowing first to her aunt and then to Minta before shaking hands with Uncle West.

“It is so lovely that you could come today,” Aunt Phyllis said brightly. “Won’t you please have a seat, my lord?”

The four of them took a seat and Minta found herself next to Lord Boxling, wondering where Lord Kingston might sit when he arrived. They spoke a few minutes about the weather, talking of how the heavy rain had finally dissipated.

“The skies were clear when I left,” Lord Boxling said. “I hope that they will remain that way for our drive in Hyde Park.”

A maid rolled in the teacart, leaving it. Much to Minta’s distress, her aunt started pouring out.

Knowing Lord Kingston was tardy to tea, she still asked, “Aunt Phyllis, should we wait for Lord Kingston to arrive?”

Her aunt handed a cup and saucer to their guest, giving him a smile. Then looking to Minta, she said, “Lord Kingston will not be coming for tea today. He has been called away from town and has returned to his country estate in Essex.”

She stiffened. “Called away? Why did you not share this with me?”

She saw the warning look in her aunt’s eyes. “He did not know when—or if—he would be returning to town. All he mentioned was pressing business at his estate.”

Minta felt herself deflating. It was bad enough the marquess would miss today’s tea but to miss the Season itself?

“I am sorry to hear that,” Lord Boxling said. “Lord Kingston seems to be a fine man.”

Her aunt took charge of the conversation and Minta withdrew into herself, allowing the others to converse. Finally, she realized the viscount might find her silence rude and off-putting and she made more of an effort to entertain him.

When they finished with tea, Lord Boxling looked to her and asked, “Are you still up to going for a drive in my new curricle, Miss Nicholls? If you aren’t, I understand.”

Aunt Phyllis said, “Oh, Minta would not disappoint you, my lord. Naturally, she will drive with you, won’t you, my dear?”

“Yes,” she said with determination. “I have been looking forward to doing so, my lord.”

“Good,” said the viscount. “It’s fortuitous the skies have cleared and we finally have sunshine. You might want to call for your shawl, however. It is still a bit chilly outside though I do have a blanket in the vehicle that we can place across your lap.”

Minta excused herself and returned to her bedchamber, where she placed a new bonnet on her head and wrapped herself in a cashmere shawl. Returning downstairs, she found Lord Boxling waiting for her in the foyer.

He escorted her outside and she saw the gleaming curricle, with a beautiful pair of matched bays.

“I don’t know which is more beautiful, the horses or the vehicle.”

Lord Boxling smiled. “The horses are new, as is the vehicle. Let me climb aboard and I will lift you up.”

He did so, raising her by the waist and placing her on the seat, taking his next to her. Taking the reins in hand, he clucked his tongue and they set off for the park.

She had not felt anything unique when he touched her. Unlike when Lord Kingston had clasped her hand and placed his other hand on her back to waltz. She tried to shake off the thought and turned her full attention to the viscount as they pulled from the square. He told her a little bit about his curricle and the horses, which he had purchased at Tattersall’s. From the way he spoke, she could tell he was quite interested in horseflesh and that Tattersall’s appeared to be the best place to purchase horses in London.

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