I forced a blink.
“Mr. Atherton,” Damon greeted.
“Lord Jennings.” He tucked his ornately carved walking stick under his arm and strode toward Damon and me, his coattails swishing as he walked, looking like a strutting peacock with all its plumes on display.
“It has been too long,” Damon said.
“And yet, not nearly long enough.” Mr. Atherton sighed theatrically. “Last we met, you stole a good deal more than your fair share of my money.”
“Won, you mean.” Damon gripped Mr. Atherton’s shoulder, but spoke to me. “Mr. Atherton is terrible at the card table, and he is bitter I played his failings to my advantage.”
“It is true.” He laughed. “I am a terrible hand.”
The two men jested as only old friends could, and I smiled politely, trying to hide my disapproval; far too many fortunes had been lost to gambling.
Mr. Atherton turned to me. “But what I lack at the tables, you lack in manners, Jennings.” He tipped his head toward me.
“Forgive me,” Damon said, taking up his gentlemanly bearing again. “Miss Kent, may I introduce the incomparable Mr. Atherton?”
Mr. Atherton removed his hat with a flourish and dipped into an overly low bow over my hand. “It is a privilege and an honor, Miss Kent.”
I glanced at Damon. He looked near to hysterics. This could prove to be a long afternoon.
“Frederick!” Amelia leaned out of the carriage. “You must help me with these.” She held two baskets out the carriage door.
Mr. Atherton straightened with a sigh and replaced his hat. “I’m sure Mr. Jennings is equal to the task.”
“Mr. Jennings is already assisting me withthosebaskets.” She indicated to Ollie, who was carrying a towering load to the handcart that would follow us to the picnic destination. Amelia huffed. “Really, Frederick. You could at least pretend to have manners.”
“Not at the expense of my new waistcoat.” He touched the covered buttons that ran down the center, then straightened the ruffled cuff of his sleeve.
“Allow me.” Damon walked to the carriage, leaving Mr. Atherton and me alone.
Mr. Atherton turned to me. “How is it you have the unfortunate occasion to know our Lord Jennings?” he teased with a smile.
“Our mothers were the best of friends.”
“So that makes you and Lord Jennings old friends too then?”
“Not exactly. He tolerated me at best. It was Mr. Jennings who was my friend.”
Mr. Atherton pursed his lips. “But now it is Lord Jennings who is yourfriend?”
“I like to think them both my friends.”
“Ah,” he said. “I believe I understand you perfectly. It is hard for me to choose between them too.” He winked.
My eyes widened. “You misunderstand me, sir.”
“Do I?”
I was ready to tell him how wrong he was, but if I did, I would give away the ruse. It was better to let him think what he would.
Thankfully, Damon and Amelia were almost upon us.
“Hannah looks as pale as a bedsheet.” Amelia frowned. “What have you said to startle her, Frederick?”
Mr. Atherton held his walking stick to his chest. “Your lack of confidence pains me, sister. I was only inquiring how Miss Kent knows our dear Jennings brothers. A perfectly amiable topic of conversation, I assure you.”
