“Oh?” Mama said.
He nodded. “There is little in the way of social entertainment, but much to be seen and enjoyed nonetheless.”
“Are you not too hot to enjoy much of anything?”
“I find solace in Gunter’s ice, naturally. Walking along the Serpentine provides relief on the worst of days.”
Caroline imagined having most of Hyde Park to herself once Society had retreated to their country houses. She did not find the prospect particularly enticing, but she could see the appeal, however faint.
The tea service was carried in, and Tristan drank his cup slowly, sharing stories about his parents in Surrey and a few memories with James and his brother Charles. When theirtea was finished, he lifted his hat and stood. “Thank you, Mrs. Whitby. Miss Whitby. I look forward to seeing both of you this evening.”
With a polite bow, he replaced his hat on his head and walked from the room. They waited until the sound of his footsteps retreated entirely, the door closing behind him, before Mama swiveled to face her, setting down her empty teacup in the process. “He is interested in you, darling.”
Caroline laughed. “The only thing he is interested in is making amends.”
“Does that matter if it means more time with the gentleman?”
“You mistake his intent, Mama.”
“And you underestimate it.” With that parting shot, Mama left Caroline to stew.
The first personCaroline laid eyes on when she stepped through the ballroom doors at Almack’s was her dearest friend, Miss Kitty Fielding. The young woman’s eyes lit up, and she left her father’s side to cross the small space between them.
Kitty’s pale green gown was cut in a fashionable mode, her light brown hair styled intricately, with small ringlets framing her temples. She was the picture of a modern woman, igniting a dormant jealousy within Caroline’s chest that she promptly swatted away like a bothersome insect. Father’s changed finances might have caused certain hardships over the last few years, but they did not give her leave to begin comparing her plight to that of her friends’. She knew resentment would soon follow, and she liked Kitty too much for that.
“I did not realize I would see you here, Caro.” Kitty took her hand, tugging her away from her mother. “You are meant to be engaged, are you not? You should be home, comfortably settled and no longer searching for a husband at these stuffy assemblies.”
Caroline wrinkled her nose. “Mr. Dennison has chosen to find a wife more suited to his hobbies. He’s discovered my disinterest in horses, and it was enough to put him off me for good.”
“Oh, pish. If that is reason enough to turn his back on the most beautiful available woman in the ballroom, he doesn’t deserve you anyway.”
“You exaggerate.”
Kitty lifted an eyebrow, providing a sly smile. “I saidavailable, did I not?”
Caroline sucked in a quick breath of understanding, clearly seeing why her friend was slowly dragging her away from their parents into a more secluded area. “You’ve had an offer?”
“Not yet, but I’m certain to soon.”
“Who is the gentleman?” Caroline asked.
Kitty’s smile grew so wide, her teeth were all on display. “Lord Bengard.”
“The viscount? Is he not old enough to be your father?”
“Hardly.” Kitty rolled her eyes. “He’s just over thirty and indecently wealthy.”
The appeal was made abundantly clear. “I am happy for you. Though some would argue thatyouare indecently wealthy.”
Kitty shrugged. “Soon I will be more so.”
“How soon?”
“I must secure him first, but we are not far from thateventuality. He came to dine last night and spoke with my father at length. He will fit in my family nicely.”
“Is he here this evening?”
“Not yet, but he will be. I shall introduce you.”
