“There’s no reason I shouldn’t,” Ariana said, even though it wasn’t considered suitable for ladies, “but I don’t care for it. My brother was being a little imprecise.”
“She’s a grand rider,” Norris corrected impatiently, “on the flat and over fences. If she did hunt, there’d be few to beat her.”
Ariana was surprised by her brother’s words. When the riders continued on their way, she said, “I’ve never heard him praise me like that before. Do you think he does it all the time away from me?”
“Or he wants something.”
“Ah, yes. But what?”
“For you to give up your plan?”
“I don’t see how praising my riding skills would achieve that.” A little while later Ariana said, “I wish Lord Kynaston hadn’t been with him.”
“Looked in good trim, though. Perhaps he was drinking because there were guests in his aunt’s house.”
Ethel meant it as a joke, but Ariana considered it. Could the man be mad enough to hate strangers under the same roof as well as anything that reminded him of death?
“I’m wonderingwhyKynaston was with Norris. There must be eight years or more between them.”
“Happened to meet and rode together. He was looking at you in a very particular way.”
“Norris?”
“Lord Kynaston.”
“Nonsense!”
“How can you tell if you weren’t looking at him? Which you weren’t, most of the time.”
“He was probably wary of some attack.”
“Been attacking him, have you?” Ethel asked.
“Only when he’s attacked me.” Ariana instantly regretted her words and marched on. “We’ve received a satisfying number of acceptances for tonight’s entertainment, including from Lord Sellerden and Sir Arraby Arranbury.”
“So you’ll meet them at last.”
“Yes.” Perhaps by tonight the matter would be settled and she could be at peace again. “And the Weathersteds will attend.” So Norris’s wooing could progress.
“With Lady Phyllis?”
“Yes.”
“Her brother’ll probably come, too,” Ethel warned.
“True, though I wish he weren’t going to be there.”
“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”
“Don’t continually refer to me as a beggar!”
Ethel raised her brows. “Those who don’t have all they need are indeed those in want. But those content with what fate brings are as rich as princes and kings.”
“Fate hasn’t yet brought me a husband to be content with,” Ariana replied, and set a brisk pace home, where she spent the day helping her mother with the details of their entertainment.
One extra footman and two extra maids had been hired and some of the food was being brought in from Fortnum and Mason, but there was still much to do.
In December there were few flowers available, but the persistent mourning tone made the lack of them acceptable. Instead, they used extra candles amid greenery and white ribbons, wherever possible in front of mirrors.
