“You were raised by a fool. No offense, Lavinia, I know he was your brother.”
“None taken. I happen to agree.”
“And because of that, you’ve lived behind a shield. Cool, aloof, not letting anyone in, Patrick,” Lady Nigel continued with the accuracy of an arrow. “Control is vital to you.”
He could do nothing but nod, as it was the truth.
“But she’s got under that shield, boy,” Mrs. Spooner said. “Don’t walk away from something that will make you happy.”
“On that note, I had a rather enlightening conversation with Miss Logan last night. Lovely gal, considering her mother is a sour-tongued shrew,” Aunt Lavinia said.
“She never used to be,” Mrs. Spooner added.
“Anyway,” Aunt Lavinia said. “She told me your countess has become a close friend of hers.”
He knew that but not where this was leading.
“They share an interest, it seems.”
“What interest?” Patrick asked.
“Figurines,” his aunt said. “All kinds. Dolls, animals. Apparently, your countess has only just started her collection,” Aunt Lavinia added.
“And you’re telling me this why?” Patrick asked.
His aunt’s sigh was heavy. “Nephew, buy her a damned figurine,” she snapped. “Honestly, he’s so unaware, it’s like he’s still a boy in short pants.”
“A lot of men are, I’m afraid,” Lady Nigel said. “They have lost the art of charming a woman.”
“Harsh,” Patrick protested.
“But true. Now, you take her here if you go driving.” His aunt then gave him an address. “They have lots of them.”
He looked at her blankly.
“Figurines, boy!”
“Right. I need to go.” He got to his feet suddenly. “Ah… have a nice day.” He kissed cheeks and then fled, no doubt leaving the three of them talking about him over a fresh pot of tea.
He walked as if the devil himself were following him, and when he was back at his town house, he sent a note to the Monmouth town house stating he would be arriving shortly to take Sophie driving. Because he knew she’d refuse him, he didn’t ask; he demanded.
Patrick then climbed up onto the driver’s seat of his phaeton with Teddy, one of his staff, on the back and headed to the Monmouth town house.
CHAPTER 30
“Letty, I am a countess, so surely it is my right to refuse to go driving with Lord Coulter if I do not feel up to it,” Sophie said, looking to the window. “It’s cold today. Who would go driving in this weather?”
“The man who risked his life to save Timmy and Mary, that’s who,” Letty said in an uncharacteristically firm voice. “My guess is he has news on Jack Spode and would like to discuss that with you.”
She hadn’t told Letty what she’d overheard about Patrick, which Sophie thought now was possibly gossip that had been spoken loud enough for her to overhear.
“So put on your jacket and bonnet and perhaps a scarf and get downstairs, because I’m sure I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to go driving with that handsome man who clearly cares for you.”
“You don’t know that, Letty.”
She was subjected to a hard look. “Yes, I do.”
Her sister-in-law then left the room, and Jenny entered.
