Page 84 of Pleasantly Pursued

THEA

The Season in London had already begun. Parliament was in full swing, and debutantes were preparing to make their bows to the queen. There was a sense of urgency and expectancy on Bond Street when Felicity took me to order a few gowns, and despite my broad attempts at not finding the social Season to be fun, I found myself growing excited for the balls. The dancing, at least, would be enjoyable. Perhaps I would find a gentleman who was kind, would fall in love with me, and did not find it necessary to flirt with every woman in a dress. Which waseverywoman.

Oh, who was I trying to fool? I would not be falling in love yet. Not until I found a way to remove Benedict from my heart.

Before that, though, I had a mission I wanted to accomplish, and I could not do so without Felicity’s help.

We walked down Bond Street after our appointment with the dressmaker, looking at the beautiful hats and fans in the windows and admiring the general splendor for sale.

“Someday I plan to bring Archie here and spoil him rotten,” I said, looking at an adorable little pair of boy’s trousers.

Felicity looked at the tiny baby’s sleeping gown with acute longing, then tore her gaze away. “He is such a gentle boy. I am glad I was able to meet him as well.”

“I was hoping to invite him to visit for a few weeks over the summer.”

“To Chelton?” Felicity asked, her copper eyebrows rising. “What if you marry?”

The idea of meeting a man, falling in love, and marrying him all before summer was preposterous. “That seems outrageously unrealistic. But I suppose if I am not at Chelton for any reason, I would invite Archie to visit me where I am.”

She looked conflicted. “For your sake, I do hope you find a good match, but for my sake, I will be sorry to see you go.”

The smile that came to my lips was not forced in the least. Felicity had become a dear friend of mine over the previous month, and I valued her companionship immensely. “We will remain friends, regardless of where I am.”

“Good.”

I strung my arm through hers and moved on to the next shop to examine the array of painted fans awaiting our judgment. “You know, in regard to Archie, I did have a project I was hoping you would help me with.”

She looked at me with suspicion. I must do something about my tone. “What is it?” she asked.

“I want to visit his mother.”

Felicity tore her arm from mine. “That cannot be a good idea.”

“We do not know whether or not it is a good idea until I know who she is.”

“But what if . . .” Felicity lowered her voice and leaned in, watching to make certain no one passing by would hear her. “What if the woman is a . . . not respectable.”

“A mistress? She clearly wasthat.”

Felicity looked to the heavens as though seeking help from above. “I do not think it is a good idea.”

“You sound like Lady Edith.”

Felicity scoffed and pressed her lips together. “I am not an old woman, but I do have enough sense to be wary of visiting your father’s old mistress when you have no notion of the type of person she is, or whether you will be well received.”

“I am wary as well. But that does not mean I will not do it. I asked for your chaperonage and your blessing, but neither of them are required.” I let the challenge dangle between us. Father had admired this woman enough to love her son and leave him half of my inheritance, so it stood to reason that she was not wholly unacceptable.

Felicity drew in a breath and narrowed her eyes. “Fine. I will go with you, but only because I know that if I do not, you will go alone, and that would send my mother-in-law to her grave if she was to learn of it.”

A grin flashed over my lips.

“But,” she continued, “you will go on my terms, and you will be mindful of your reputation.”

“Of course.”

We left the beautiful storefronts behind to return to our carriage. “Please recall that while you are under my care, my reputation is also on the line.”

I paused and waited while Felicity climbed into the conveyance. I hadn’t considered the point before, but now I could not help but think of it. “I will try not to do anything that will reflect poorly on you.”

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