“Lady Blake.” Zach bowed before her. “Miss Blake, and Miss Mary.”
“Yes, yes, we know why you are here, sir. But it is fortuitous that you brought your cousin with you.” Phillipa fluttered her eyelashes.
Forrest swallowed through his suddenly dry throat and bowed. “Ladies.” He took the only other chair. Zach was forced to sit next to Mary.
“Mr. Howarth, do you go driving in the park often? I do love driving in the park,” Phillipa said.
“Ah, not often now. I have a daughter who takes up a great deal of my time.”
Phillipa made a mewling sound. “Oh yes, sweet little Ella. I adore little girls above all things.”
“That’s not true. You like eclairs too,” Mary said. The look in her eyes told Forrest she had said it simply to annoy her sister.
Zach looked like he was constipated. He was sitting upright, body clenched, face flushed.
“Well yes, but little girls are my favorite.”
“What if your first child is a boy?” Mary added.
“Then I shall be happy with that also,” Phillipa snapped.
Forrest had always liked Mary. She was forthright, sharp-witted, and put Zach in his place. What was not to like? However, in that moment, she was deflecting her sister’s attention away from him. He found he liked her a great deal more.
“Ah, here is the tea tray,” Lady Blake said.
“Thank you, Beadle,” Mary said when her mother and sister did not.
“How do you like your tea, Mr. Howarth?” Phillipa said. “I find men are very particular about their tea, and I like to take note of such things for the future.” She sent him a smoldering look.
His necktie was choking him. Forrest gave Zach a look that threatened retribution, but he and Mary were now conversing in low voices, so he didn’t see.
What followed was an exercise in ruthless manipulation by the elder Blake ladies. He felt like he was playing an elaborate game of chess as they tried to lure him into taking Phillipa driving in the park, to the theater, and to ensure he saved at least two dances for her at the Hoffman ball.
“I’m afraid I must draw this lovely interlude to a halt. My daughter is expecting me home, you see.” Forrest got to his feet. “Thank you for the tea.” He bowed.
“Oh, must you?” Phillipa cooed.
“Zach!” Forrest snapped. His cousin leapt to his feet.
“Yes, we must leave. Ella will be pining for her favorite uncle.”
Forrest only just fought the eye roll. Smiling to Mary, who was still scowling, he left the room with his cousin on his heels, then stalked through the house at speed. Taking the steps down two at a time, he reached the front door.
“Good day, Beadle,” Zach said.
Slapping his hat on his head and jerking on his gloves, Forrest made for the carriage.
“That went well,” Zach said when they were moving.
“Zach, if you say one more word, I am going to break your nose.”
“Sorry.” The smile was genuine.
“I feel violated.”
“She’s hideous, isn’t she? It was Michael before you, and Nathan before that.”
“A little warning would have been nice.”
