“Miss Drake is quite certain she is going to land Lord Rockingham as a husband this week, My Lady.” Mrs. Spencer had been sharing all the gossip she’d been privy to, and Margaret had been ignoring her for the most part, but at the mention of Sebastian, her ears perked up considerably.
“She is bound for disappointment, I think,” Penelope answered. Margaret’s sister-in-law was not one to gossip much herself, but she did like to be… informed.
“I asked her how she could be so certain, and she would not give me any details. In fact, she was very smug. What with all of her father’s wealth, she and her mother expect her to settle for nothing lower than an earl. Rockingham would be quite the catch for an American. Perhaps they already have an agreement but have chosen to keep it private until he can speak with her father.”
Penelope snorted. “Perhaps she is full of malarkey.”
Miss Drake must be dissembling. Sebastian was not prepared to marry anyone right now. If he’d even considered it, he would have told her. Wouldn’t he?
“There you are, my dear!” Margaret turned her attention away from the children at the sound of George’s voice. Knowing he expected her answer regarding leaving with him for London at the end of the party, a cold sweat broke out behind her neck and on her brow.
“I came across these this morning while out riding and was inspired to gather a bouquet worthy of my intended.” They were marigolds and chrysanthemums along with a few shoots of tall grass. He grimaced. “They are not, I’m afraid, but I will make a gift of them anyway. If you will have them.” And then he turned to her companions and bowed. “Lady Danbury, Mrs. Spencer.”
“What a romantic gift, Mr. Kirkley,” Mrs. Spencer complimented him.
“It was very thoughtful, was it not, Margaret?” Penelope did not appear overly impressed.
“It was. Thank you, George.” Margaret reached up to take them from him. “They are very pretty.”
He did not ask to sit down, although he stood smiling down at her. “Will you walk with me this morning?”
Panic shot through her. “I, er, have promised Penelope that I would spend the morning with the children. You are more than welcome to join us.” He would not wish to join them. He would return inside for a game of cards or billiards.
“I would be delighted,” he agreed most amicably before lowering himself to sit. “Who is this little darling?” Eyes the same color as Sebastian’s creased at the edges as he smiled at little Miss Josephine.
The darling girl did not require prompting but dropped into another perfect curtsey before George. “I am Miss Josephine.”
George’s eyes twinkled as he took her hand and kissed the back of her tiny wrist. “I am honored to meet you, Miss Josephine.” George turned a laughing smile toward Margaret and then dropped his gaze to the flowers, and then to her hands and frowned. Margaret knew her mistake immediately. She’d not worn gloves this morning.
“You are not wearing your ring?” His question not only caught the attention of Mrs. Spencer but also a few of the other mother’s who’d been mingling nearby.
Penelope stared at her over George’s head and winced.
This was most definitely not the time to speak with him.
“It is too tight. I thought it would loosen, but it has not.”
George exhaled a sigh of what could only be considered relief. “We will have it resized. I’ll take it to a jeweler as soon as we get back to London. It would be best for you to return it to me today. My family would be devastated if anything were to happen to it. It belonged to my ancestors, you know. Priceless. Irreplaceable.”
Margaret swallowed around the gigantic lump that seemed to have grown in her throat. “Of course.”
“How are you enjoying your visit, Mr. Kirkley?” Penelope changed the subject, and Margaret could have almost kissed her.
“Wonderful. I doubt I’ve enjoyed a house party more. In fact, I know that I have not.”
“And you are sleeping well, then, You have everything you require in your chamber?”
“I do. The mattress is a little firm for my tastes, but other than that, everything has been top-notch indeed. How could it not be when I have secured my bride? I am the luckiest of men.”
“We must see what can be done so that you are comfortable for the remainder of the party.” Penelope rose. “Since you wished for time alone with the children, Margaret. Perhaps Mr. Kirkley would escort me inside so that we might adjust his accommodations. I also need to go over tonight’s menu with Cook.”
“But of course.” George rose and brushed at his trousers.
“Da da da da da da,” Creighton chose that moment to demand her attention again. Margaret held the child close and kissed the top of his head.
“Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma!” her niece chanted. Margaret reached out a hand to keep Louella from following her mother.
“Come here, darling.” She gave a glance toward her sister-in-law. “Thank you, Penelope.”
