Despite being unable to start new garments, he waited for Evan to be ready to return to London. Evan’s time with his mother was far more important than Robert’s clients getting their goods a fortnight sooner. Robert loved Rose almost as much as Bags did, anyway. He visited her several times in between cutting, sewing, and pounding metal accessories into place.
Days later, the two men sat facing each other in Bags’s well-appointed carriage, swaying their way to London. Robert was glad for the change of scenery, and thought he might gain information on Beth by asking about her cousin, given Evan’s interest in her.
“Right, then. You’ve barely left your room these past ten days. How are the orders coming?”
“I’ve gotten through two-thirds of them. Your parties, both at Cheltenham and in London, sell more than I do all the other days of the year,” Robert said, thankful again for Cheltie’s investment guidance so he didn’t need the money. He would not have been comfortable selling to a wider audience and risking ridicule for debauched appetites.
“Finally, we have time to discuss the wench you had in your room.” Bags grinned at him. “I haven’t forgotten, but I know how you get when you’re working on a backlog of orders.”
Robert frowned at the word “wench.” He knew Bags employed it for even a duchess if she attended the party, but he didn’t like it for Beth. “Why don’t you tell me more about Lady Egerton, and we’ll see?”
“Ah, you noticed. I like her, Ford. She’s smarter than almost anyone I know. Hellfire, she had to be to make a go of a business. She won’t let me invest in her expansion if I want an ownership interest because she doesn’t want a man involved.”
“So now what?”
“Ford, this is the first time in—gads, maybe ever—I have been interested enough to pursue a woman. As you so often like to point out, I’ve never needed to. This is unfamiliar territory. I’ve offered her advice, no investment needed. If she takes me up on it, ’twill likely mean a trip to Bath. I need you to come, too, and keep her petite cousin occupied again.”
“Beth? I don’t think she’ll be amenable to that.”
Evan narrowed his eyes in confusion. “What makes you say that?”
“You asked who was in my room. ’Twas Beth. Then they disappeared from the party without a word." He shrugged and looked away from his friend as he admitted, “I can only assume my performance was not up to snuff.”
Evan barked a laugh. “Sadly, I think the issue was with mine. But gee, thanks for putting it that way.” He shared his failed attempt to coax Althea into a bet or a dare. “My guess is that she asked Beth to leave. After all, you’ve never had any complaints; nor has Beth to my knowledge.”
Robert frowned.
“Do not look at me like that.” Evan raised a hand to placate him. “My knowledge is secondhand only.”
Robert’s brow cleared, and he pondered for a minute. Despite his fear of being the focus of gossip, he could not resist seeing the little baggage again. She’d also make a nice tester for his new designs, at least until she tired of him.
“Bath is ever so delightful this time of year,” he said with a nod and a grin. “And with some additional attractions to enjoy in the evenings, I don’t see why I couldn’t join you. That is, if you don’t drag me to a party every night we’re in London, so I can finish these pieces.”
“Every other?” Evan asked with a teasing grin.
Robert rolled his eyes, happy the Season was over and most of the Ton had deserted London for their country homes or one of the seaside resort towns in the south.
****
Sure enough, within three nights, Evan had pleaded and cajoled him into attending an off-Season gathering.
“There is a soirée hosted by one of Sarah’s regulars tomorrow night.” Evan described it. “Downstairs will be a proper ball, upstairs will be less rigid…or, should I say, more rigid?” He mock-pondered it for a moment with a head tilt and finger to his chin.
Robert rolled his eyes, but acquiesced when Evan told him that Michael was attending with his lovely bride Penelope. Given their newlywed status and Michael’s family’s concerns about obeying the proprieties, their attendance was not a given, and Robert welcomed the chance to see them.
As he dressed for the evening, he wondered whether Beth would attend. His neutral-colored apparel was designed to blend in—a dark jacket and breeches worn over a cream waistcoat and white shirt and cravat. With a chance to see his curvy peach again, he didn’t hate Evan’s constant party invitations for once, although he’d never admit it to his friend.
In the ballroom, he trailed Evan as his friend greeted allies, acquaintances, and sycophants. As they so often did, the latter groups included men who had been quick to ostracize the less-than-beautiful second son until Evan took him under his wing at school. Robert hovered silently, declining to engage with them, even when greeted cordially now.
While downstairs would have all the components of a Ton fête—dancing, a supper room, and a card room, upstairs was a different story. The homeowner, who Robert thought might be an earl, had drilled peepholes in most of the rooms on the upper floor. He shuddered at the idea of being a guest in the home. He’d never sleep knowing there might be eyes on him. And did the man’s parents know?
Given the nature of the ball and the fact that it was off-Season, no one was announced. Robert appreciated the ability to come and go inconspicuously and was certain many of the titled Lords and Ladies here with someone other than their spouse did as well.
If the timing was not soon after Evan’s house party and he’d had spare pieces, he might have arranged for his wares to be displayed for sale in an upstairs room. Instead, this was a rare occasion to mingle and crowd-watch.
Then Evan smirked and cocked his head, and Robert spied his new favorite form wearing her signature color bobbing behind her taller cousin’s. Keeping his face neutral so Bags would not heckle him endlessly, he followed Evan toward Michael and Penelope. Althea and Beth met them there.
“Penelope!” Beth performed her signature hop on her toes. “’Tis lovely to see you. Tell us how this works if you will please, Cheltie.” Her gaze slid past Evan to meet Robert’s for a second, and her eyes widened.
