By heaven, is this what all his guests thought?
“Miss Comeford vehemently denied any royal blood, of course. But one cannot hide quality.”
“She is quality,” Max admitted. “But I wish to know more aboutyou, Lady Beatrice.”
She paused when they had walked past shade trees and beyond the carriages. “No, you really ought not get to know me better.”
“I see.”
She hurried back to the others.
Max watched her put a cheerful mask on her face as she took Harriet by the hand and led her to the young ladies and bachelors now taking seats around the long tables. With Beatrice having befriended Harriet, the sweet girl with a genuine sunbeam smile was assured acceptance by the others.
Still, he did not wish to stay too far from Harriet.
It might take only an instant for something to go wrong. Should he not remain close to protect her? As everyone well knew, marriage was a cutthroat business, and any missteps were to be pounced upon in order to destroy competitors.
These diamonds would view Harriet as a competitor no matter how loudly she proclaimed otherwise.
The elders settled around one table while the bachelors and diamonds occupied the other. Were it just him and Harriet, he would have brought her out here alone and simply set out a blanket for them to sit upon while they dug into a basket of cold chicken, cheeses, and fruits prepared by his cook to be eaten with their fingers.
But this excursion was more of an outdoor dining affair rather than a true picnic that he knew Harriet would prefer. Odd that he knew this about Harriet, but she took delight in all things natural. Sticking china plates, crystal glasses, and silverware on a lace tablecloth, and having servants run back and forth to fetch their elaborate menu of dishes, was never going to impress her.
He assumed his seat at the head of the table, enduring the chatter of Lady Marianne and Lady Winifred, both of whom were once again making improper advances toward him. At one point, both of them happened to slide their feet up along his legs, one on the right leg and the other on the left.
Blessed saints.
He considered moving his legs back and letting them flirt with each other. How long before they realized they were not playing with him but with each other?
Lady Philomena did not stop giggling.
Lady Annalise did not stop complaining.
Lady Rose appeared to be sensitive to grasses and sneezed continually.
Actually, he felt bad about that.
Lady Beatrice sat beside Harriet, perhaps having taken a liking to her and wanting to protect her just as he did. But that mocking expression of hers truly irked him.
Harriet sat quietly and said very little, but her smile was quite radiant, and the men at the table were easily enchanted by her.
The rest of the afternoon passed enjoyably and uneventfully, save for Harriet’s quiet distress.
Max finally had a moment alone with her once they returned to the manor and the others retired to their bedchambers to prepare for the evening’s entertainments. “Harriet,” he said, knowing he should not have followed her into her bedchamber or shut the door behind them for privacy, but this was gnawing at him, “what is really going on? You have been pale and distracted since you and Beatrice took that walk.”
“Did she not tell you anything?”
“Other than to tell me to get lost? No.”
She sank onto one of the chairs by her small table and let out a breath. “She hasn’t told me anything, either. However…”
“What, Harriet?”
“That’s just it…I don’t know what she means to do. Probably nothing and she was just toying with me because she thinks I am your spy. I am not suited for thesetongames. I do not know how to play them. I rather like her, but felt completely manipulated by her.”
“It is that smug look she has had all day. It irked me, too.”
“But what does it mean, Your Grace?”
