Lydia nodded when Lady Bowcott looked to her for agreement.
“But she is a favorite with Lord Tarrington’s tenant families.” Again, Lord Berkeley offered information that she would not have expected him to recall.
Lady Bowcott smiled at that. “Do you miss them?”
Lydia relaxed. Here was something she could speak of easily, and she was grateful that Lord Berkeley had managed to steer the conversation in such a way. “I do. Many of them have become like family to me.” Though Lord Tarrington would be wroth to hear her admit it.
Lady Bowcott nodded sympathetically. “I did not have many close relationships, nor do I have any siblings myself, but I always wanted them. For a time, James was like a brothergrowing up. We lived near each other in our youth.” She looked to her husband, who made a face.
“I hope you do not see me as a brother any longer.”
Lady Bowcott swatted at him. “I do not think you need an answer to that.”
“No, please, explain to me all the ways you do not see me as your brother now.” He folded his arms, raising a brow at her.
Color entered her cheeks. “You are incorrigible.”
He nodded. “And? Devilishly handsome?”
Her cheeks were growing even more red, but she lifted one shoulder in a sort of nonchalant manner. “I suppose you’re that too.”
“That will do for now. I expect the rest of your list when—”
She swatted at him again. “Do not finish that sentence.”
He held her gaze, but then the corner of his mouth twitched into a smile. “As my lady commands.”
Lady Bowcott shook her head, then, cheeks still pink, turned a flustered look to Lydia. “I apologize. I promise we are usually better company than this.”
Lord Berkeley leaned close to her and offered, in not quite a whisper, “They are always this way, actually.”
Lydia tamped down the sensation of warmth his nearness had elicited. “Have you all known each other long?” She included them all in her question, but the men remained silent, allowing Lady Bowcott to respond.
“Lord Berkeley and James have known each other since school. James and I married not quite two years past. That is when I met Lord Berkeley.” She nodded to the man. “Have you met Sir Henry yet?”
Lydia shook her head. Was she supposed to have?
“Miss Faraday has spent more time in Charlie’s company than in mine,” Lord Berkeley offered, a certain weight to his wordsthat Lady Bowcott clearly understood as her brows rose in understanding.
Understanding of what, Lydia hadn’t a clue. Because truly, she’d spent more time with Lord Berkeley,nothis brother.
“Well.” Lady Bowcott turned back to her. “Sir Henry is the third of these three friends, and more than a little... entertaining to be around. If you ever get the opportunity.”
Lydia was unsure what exactly to say. “I would love to meet him.”
The carriage came to a stop and rocked as a footman jumped to the ground before opening the door.
Lord and Lady Bowcott exited first, then Lord Berkeley, who offered his hand to Lydia. She took it, releasing it as soon as possible. He looked at her intently for a moment after she pulled her hand from his, but then her gaze was arrested by the scene in front of her. A green lawn sloped downward from where their carriage had stopped. Sun broke through the clouds to glint off the large expanse of water where the lawn ended.
“We are traveling by boat. It is a far faster way to reach Richmond Park, where we will be picnicking,” Lord Berkeley said, watching her.
The boat was of ample size, though not overly large. The front had seats in which several oarsmen already sat, and Lady and Lord Bowcott were situating themselves with another gentleman and lady. The back had a shaded portion, and the whole of it rocked as it sat in the shallow parts of the water.
Excitement warred with apprehension within her.
Lord Berkeley looked between her and the boat. “My brother planned the excursion. I assumed he had explained it to you?”
She shook her head. “He arranged it with Lord Tarrington. I’d heard nothing of it until this morning.”
