He could barely tear his eyes away from Araminta. She was a vision dressed in a white gown with a dark orange velvet pelisse and matching bonnet over that becoming chestnut hair. She carried a brown fur muff in her grasp. He didn’t know many women who could wear such an unusual shade without some sort of impediment, but it only highlighted the color on her face and the shade of her brilliant eyes as she greeted him. “Good day, Lord Somers.”
His enthusiasm dimmed somewhat, for he thought he might have earned a bit more regard, but while she was cordial, her greeting was void of any sort of the anticipation he felt flowing through his veins. Nevertheless, he was as cordial as ever. “Lady Araminta.” He offered a light bow and then turned to the girl at her side. “And Lady Olivia. I’m pleased that you both accepted my invitation.”
“I’m glad you sent ’round a note so we would know what to expect,” Araminta returned evenly. “Although I daresay I was surprised you mentioned ice skating. It’s been an age since I went.”
He bestowed his most appealing grin, the one that normally had women swooning at his feet. “Then, as I see it, it’s high past time you indulged the sport. I, for one, shall be the toast of London with two beautiful ladies at my side.” He grinned. “Perhaps I should have invited your other two sisters along as well so that I would be even more envied.”
Olivia giggled, although her sister remained visibly unaffected. Grey withheld a frown, as he definitely decided that he would have to increase his level of courtship. He thought about flowers and various gifts to show his interest, but something told him that wouldn’t impress Araminta. She was entirely too set on her path to allow a bouquet of lilies to sway her mind. For her to think of him in a romantic light, he would have to perform some sort of heroic act.
“There’s no need to worry on that score, my lord,” Olivia said merrily. “Calliope is out this afternoon, and Isa prefers to walk instead of glide along the ice.”
He’d instructed that the top of the landau remain down for their outing, although he’d made sure to provide for the comfort of his guests with a warming brick.
As he gestured to his driver that they were ready to depart, he donned his hat once more and then settled across from the sisters. “How are you enjoying London thus far, Lady Olivia?”
She was dressed in a striking royal blue ensemble and as her blond head turned to him, he saw that her cheeks were already turning a becoming shade of rose from the cold. It was either that, or she was embarrassed at being put on the spot. Either way, Grey thought it was endearing and put him in mind of his own sister when they were younger and embarked on adventures together. When he glanced at Araminta to gauge her reaction, she was regarding him with a considering expression, likely trying to make out his true character. He was determined that she discover he wasn’t at all like Lord Blakely. At least… not any longer.
Not since he’d mether.
“I’m not exactly sure what to think yet, my lord,” Olivia replied in a delicate voice. “It’s quite different from the country.”
“Indeed, it is. But there are several shops that might be of interest to you. Surely you’ve taken a stroll down Bond Street by now?”
“I have,” she admitted. “But I don’t really care about the latest fashions like my sister, Calliope.”
He thought for a moment and gathering what he knew about her, he made another suggestion. “In that case you might find Hatchard’s on Piccadilly more to your liking. They have a vast array of books if you like to read. And, of course, Gunter’s Tea Shop in Berkeley Square is incomparable. If you go, make sure and try the burnt filbert cream ice. It’s my favorite.”
Her face broke out into a wreath of smiles. “Thank you for the suggestion, Lord Somers. I certainly shall.”
Araminta couldn’t decidewhether to remain on her guard around the earl—or fly across the carriage and smother him in relentless kisses. Her face warmed at the very idea, and if he noticed she hoped he would believe it was from the chill in the air. Either way, the broad smile on her sister’s face, the first true one she’d revealed since they had arrived in London, made all of Araminta’s uncertainty worthwhile.
As they rode into the park, Araminta noticed that the crowd was no smaller than the one from the day before. If anything, the snow had brought more people out. She saw children tossing snowballs at one another, while some even rolled about in the fluff, much to the dismay of their nearby governesses.
“We haven’t had much snow in the past two years,” Lord Somers noted, as if reading her mind. “So when it does appear, it’s quite a treat. Perhaps after we skate, we might build a snowman.”
Olivia gasped at the prospect and Araminta’s heart melted even more toward their escort.
They stopped near the bank of the Thames where vendors were selling everything from roasted chestnuts to hot chocolate, and of course, there was someone who was renting metal blade skates. Araminta had brought their own blades and once they alighted from the carriage and trudged through the snow along the edge of the river, they each strapped their own pair to the bottoms of their boots.
“Did you know that the first skates were made of bone?” the earl noted.
“Were they?” Olivia asked curiously.
“Indeed. And while what you see before you may be impressive, London has actually held Frost Fairs on the surface of the ice, the Thames would freeze so solidly. The last one was in 1814 and nearly a dozen printing presses were out there, readily printing up a commemorative poem in honor of the event.”
“How fascinating!” Olivia breathed. “Do you think they will have another?”
He shrugged. “I couldn’t say. After that time we’ve had rather mild winters and with the talk of demolishing the old bridge I fear the water will flow too heavily to enjoy much longer.”
“Then we shouldn’t waste one more moment!” Olivia took off across the icy exterior with a joyous laugh.
Araminta couldn’t help but join in the merriment. But when she glanced at the earl, the intensity of his blue eyes froze her laughter.
As she sobered, he turned his focus back to where Olivia was gliding along. “She looks free.”
Araminta hugged herself. “She does.” She snorted. “It’s rather ironic because she detests the cold, but when it comes to ice skating, she is perfectly content. It’s as if she doesn’t even feel it.”
They stood there side by side for a moment and then a hand appeared in her line of vision. Araminta admired the fine stitching of the material and yet found herself wondering if the flesh beneath would be as soft. Tamping down her curiosity, she turned to gaze at the earl, captured by the rather appealing smile that tilted up only one corner of his mouth. “Shall we?”
