“Oh, I am terribly sorry,” she said, looking down at him in mock concern. Though the facade turned real when she saw how very fine his trousers were and how very ruined they seemed to be.
Lord Charles just laughed it off. “With weather like this, I was bound to pick up a bit of mud.”
She gave him a tight smile as he made to climb in beside her, but then Lord Berkeley placed a hand on his shoulder.Side by side, the two made quite a contrast. Lord Charles was tall, lanky, and had coloring leaning toward that of a redhead. Lord Berkeley was taller still, broader, with golden coloring. She continued to have that hint of feeling that she knew him from somewhere. And their expressions varied even more when Lord Charles turned his smiling face to his brother.
“I ought to drive,” Lord Berkeley said in a low tone.
Lord Charles chuckled. “That will not be necessary.”
“I think it is.”
“It was I who initiated this outing.” Lord Charles’s voice lowered, making it harder to follow the conversation.
Lydia caught Lord Berkeley’s quick glance her way. His hand dropped from his brother’s shoulder, and he gave a stiff nod. Seconds later, Lord Charles was climbing up beside her.
It was then she realized that there was no second seat. There was only the one bench on which she sat.
“Have you ever been to Green Park?” Lord Charles asked her as he took up the reins. The carriage dipped as Lord Berkeley came up on her other side. Their shoulders brushed as he sat back, and she forced herself not to look at him, certain he would see her surprise and... other emotions... in her eyes.
“No. I have not had the pleasure.” She managed to respond to Lord Charles without so much as a hitch in her words.
“Ah. Then you are in for a treat! It is far less crowded than Hyde Park but just as beautifully maintained.” He transferred the reins to one hand and took one of hers with his other. The motion surprised her, and she nearly jerked her hand back. But being sandwiched between the two brothers did not give her much space to move. “Yet I believe that I am the most fortunate between the two of us.” He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of her glove.
Her brows shot up, and she pulled back her hand, knocking her elbow into Lord Berkeley’s midsection. Rather than apologizeto either, she just looked resolutely forward. Chuckling, Lord Charles turned back to the road in time to pull the reins to the right, narrowly avoiding the traffic headed past them.
Lydia grasped the front of her seat.
“What do you think of London thus far?” Lord Charles watched her for an answer, which made her grip the chair tighter. Perhaps his brothershouldhave driven; he would have been able to keep his eyes on the road ahead of them.
“Ah, it is far more quick-paced. And dirty.”
Lord Charles barked a laugh. “That it is.” He flicked a glance at the road then turned more fully to avoid another near-collision.
They passed by the Little Theatre, the building putting them in its shadow for a time. Lord Charles urged the horses even faster. Lydia held her seat even tighter. “Green Park lies up here. It is one of my favorite destinations in the area.”
“Wonderful,” Lydia murmured, refraining from glancing to where her shoulder kept connecting with Lord Berkeley’s as Lord Charles set them swaying in their seats. He had not said a word. Not to her nor to his brother. It was rather unnerving to have him there all the while, simply listening. Was he there as chaperone? The thought almost made her laugh. It seemed a poor use of the heir to a marquessate. He would be better served ruling in Parliament... or marrying rich young ladies.
That thought sent a strange drooping sensation through her.
“The view at the Bason will remind you of being in the country.” Lord Charles jerked the reins to the side, and the phaeton swayed. She swayed with it, teetering on the edge of her seat. Well, this was certainly... enlivening. She might have enjoyed it if she didn’t have an increasing feeling that she should fear for her life.
“Wonderful,” she managed again before the speed picked up once again and she was pushed back into the seat.
Lord Charles held the reins loosely, taking a turn at top speed. The sprawl of homes had begun to lessen as a more businesslike setting took over. At least now she would not end up on someone’s doorstep when the phaeton inevitably turned over. Simply at the front of a place of business.
She’d hardly had the thought before Lord Charles took another turn, glancing at her with some comment about to loose from his grinning mouth, and the side of the carriage tipped so far that the wheels on the left lifted off the ground.
Everything that came next seemed to occur at double speed. She clenched her eyes shut, grasping at the seat as if it would be enough to save her from tumbling to the ground, but what her hand closed over was not the seat at all, but the man beside her. Lord Berkeley’s leg tightened at the contact, and mortified, she pulled her hand back as he jumped across her, his body keeping her from losing her seat. Then the phaeton slowed, both sets of wheels returning to their rightful place. Her eyes popped open. Lord Berkeley had intervened just in time. His hands were on the reins, and his head was turned to his brother. She pressed back into her seat to keep his chest from colliding with her. Her hand was still burning from its contact with his leg.
“Charlie.” Lord Berkeley’s voice held barely restrained anger, and his jaw was tight. He took a breath. “You are endangering Miss Faraday. Keep all wheels on the ground.” He began to move back to his seat but paused, adding, “And both eyes on the road.”
“I would not have allowed any danger to befall us. Miss Faraday does not mind a little excitement, do you?”
With Lord Berkeley no longer pressing against her, she could focus on Lord Charles’s bright expression. Was this a moment to put the man off? And what answer would do that?
“Ahh . . .”
Lord Berkeley saved her from answering. “Whether she enjoys excitement or not, consider me. You know how little excitementI like in life. I would rather enjoy asedateride, if you do not mind.”
