And while Mercy found herself feeling somewhat vulnerable and exposed as she climbed down from the carriage to greet her aunts and cousins, she also felt a good deal of female satisfaction that such an intriguing man actually belonged to her.
Ten minutes later, she was back to gritting her teeth. Had Roseanna and Francesca always been so witty and attractive? And why hadn’t she noticed that Lilyanna’s ebony curls owed nothing to artifice? Her own hair might well be the same colour, but that was where the similarity ended. In truth, without curling irons, her own tresses resembled a horse’s tail.
And as for stealing a kiss – there would be more chance of her becoming the next queen of England.
Any minute now she’d be stamping her foot in temper…
This wouldn’t do. Mercy took a deep breath as she watched Nate courteously hand her Aunt Hope a glass of lemonade obtained from a vendor at the entrance to the gardens. Since when had she become such a crosspatch? Calling a spade a spade was one thing, but wanting to hit someone over the head with one…
While her betrothed handed refreshments to all their company, Mercy made a concerted effort to quash her peevishness. When he was finished, she stepped forward and determinedly tucked her arm in his. He looked down at her enquiringly and she didn’t know whether to be happy or sad that he was already picking up on her moods. In the end she offered a tentative smile and sipped at the lemonade she held in her free hand.
‘Do you think he’s here now, watching us?’ Hope couldn’t completely hide her anxiety as they finished their refreshments.
‘I doubt very much he would risk showing himself,’ Nate responded firmly. ‘While I didn’t actually see him at the inn, he doesn’t know that. My guess is that he will stay hidden in the shadows until such time as he can make his move.’
‘We’re certainly grateful for your protection my lord,’ Francesca commented coquettishly, sending all Mercy’s good intentions sailing away in the wind.
‘I’m entirely certain if we stay together, we are in no danger,’ Chastity declared firmly.
‘If he’s bottle-headed enough to try and snatch Mercy in the presence of so many witnesses, then he’s certainly not the threat we’re imagining him to be.’ As always Temperance’s comments were succinct and to the point. ‘That he hassomeonewatching us, I’ve no doubt. So, we must need goad him to the point where he will do something foolish.’ She proved her point by laughing gaily and saying in a loud voice, ‘Lord Carlingford, you are incorrigible. I swear I’m awaiting your marriage to my niece with as much trepidation as anticipation. Has the date for the nuptials been set yet?’
After giving her a level look, Nate played along. ‘Alas, it’s out of my hands.’ He gave an adoring look down towards Mercy, causing her to blush, even though she knew it was for their possible audience. ‘I cannot wait to make Mercedes my bride and it’s my dearest hope that her father won’t insist that we wait until the end of the season to make it official.’ He looked enquiringly over at Chastity, who took up the challenge.
‘I have already spoken with my lord husband,’ she trilled, ‘and begged him not to stand in the way of such obvious affection. It’s my fervent hope he’ll give his blessing for the wedding to take place before the middle of June.’
Squeals and hugs all round completed the charade and if Mercy was heard to mutter, ‘And if he believes that bag of moonshine, he’ll believe anything,’ then it was only by those in the very immediate vicinity.
***
‘So, exactly what are we looking for, Sir?’ Percy shouted as they stared in awe at the multitude of quays and jetties stretching as far as the eye could see. In between were warehouses and sheds, and beyond, line after line of vast leviathans, their masts and riggings visible even over the top of the warehouses.
As they hovered at the entrance to the nearest quay, Finn stared at the closest ship in awestruck silence as a sailor climbed up the rigging like a monkey to hang fearlessly over the deck, so far below. The cacophony of noise around them was so loud it was difficult to hold a conversation. Food vendors were hawking everything from oysters to hot cross buns and only swift footedness stopped them being run over by carts piled high with unloaded goods. Groups of sailors, clearly heading for the nearest pub or brothel, laughed and jostled one another, their language so ripe, Percy was tempted to cover Finn’s ears.
‘And this is the smaller dock,’ Reverend Shackleford murmured, uncharacteristically intimidated.
“Miss Prudence was right, Sir. It will take us all day and night to explore every establishment, and in truth, I wouldn’t wish to be here when it begins to get dark.’
The Reverend looked at his curate in irritation. ‘Tare an’ hounds, Percy, I’ve had custards with more spine than you. We can’t just give up at the first hurdle.’
‘So where do you suggest we start then?’ the small man answered, taking no offence at the Reverend’s blunt assessment of his character. Since readingThe Illustrated Art To Manliness,a few years earlier, Percywas much more sanguine when it came to his superior’s slights, finding the simple repeating of, ‘Thepath to inner peace is by ignoring mutton heads,’under his breath whilst stroking his right ear was often enough to subdue the urge to hit the Reverend over the head with the nearest Bible.
Augustus Shackleford picked up Flossy and turned in a slow circle. ‘What about that pub over there?’ He pointed to a large establishment about fifty yards away. Predictably it was namedthe Ship in Dock. Percy eyed it critically - it appeared in quite good repair, and its position would likely mean it saw plenty of trade. Hopefully, they’d find something useful. Calling Finn to him, he followed the Reverend towards the entrance, trying hard to quash the ever-present sense of imminent doom that generally accompanied any outing with the Reverend.
***
Mercy was uncharacteristically silent on the journey back to the town house, so much so that Chastity looked at her in concern. As the barouche finally stopped outside, she wondered if she should invite the Viscount in for refreshment, or whether her stepdaughter would perhaps prefer to be alone with her thoughts.
In the event, Mercedes herself declared – quite forcefully, it had to be said - that she believed some tea would finish off a splendid afternoon and would his lordship do her the honour of sitting for a while in the garden.
If Nate was surprised at her offer, he didn’t show it. Merely inclined his head with a smile and replied that he’d be delighted.
Chastity however, had alarm bells ringing in her head loud enough to rival those at St. Mary Le Bow, especially when Mercy suggested solicitously that since it was merely the garden, there was surely no necessity for a chaperone.
As Chastity hovered uncertainly at the bottom of the stairs, Mercy played her trump card. ‘Stepmama, why don’t you take this opportunity to rest for a while? The twins will undoubtedly be back with Miss Horsham very soon.’
Her words served a dual purpose. Firstly, the thought of the twins rampaging through the house was enough to want to make anyone want to lie down while the going was good, and secondly knowing the twins would be rampaging through the house shortly would undoubtedly put her stepmother’s mind at rest at the thought of leaving her and Nate alone together.
In truth, it simply told Mercy there was no time to waste…
