“Courted!” Judith stated in alarm. “We do not want to be courted.”
Her words took him aback. “I had assumed that you would each want to marry.”
“Perhaps, in time, but we have been ruled our entire lives and do not welcome a husband doing the same until we have experienced some enjoyment.”
His uncle truly had been a bastard. “I understand and will keep that in mind.”
“Mind for what?” Chloe asked cautiously.
“I promise that if any gentleman asks to court any one of you that I will first discuss the matter with you.”
All five relaxed and Judith blew out a sigh.
“It is certainly not my intention to see you miserable, and I hope that you find happiness. But if a gentleman is not to your liking, then he will not be granted permission to court you.”
“Oh, thank you, Cousin,” Chloe exclaimed just as the butler announced Lady Penelope.
He came to his feet, as did Judith who moved from the chair to settle on the settee between Bernice and Damaris.
“Good afternoon, Lady Penelope.”
“Your Grace,” she muttered and dipped into a curtsey before coming further into the parlor, taking the seat vacated by Judith. This had them facing the other with his cousins on either side.
When the footmen delivered the tea service and cakes, Judith poured.
“Where might you be taking my cousins today?” Henry asked.
There was a flash of challenge in her green eyes right before she answered. “We will remain in so that I can come to know your cousins better, though I do plan on taking them to Bond Street tomorrow.”
“Why?” Jael asked in surprise.
“Your wardrobe is insufficient for what remains of the Season.” These words were said directly to Henry. Her green eyes challenged him over the rim of the teacup.
“I have provided them with lines of credit at the various shops,” he defended.
“But with no guidance on how much or what to purchase,” Lady Penelope reproved as she settled the cup into the saucer she was holding.
“I assumed they knew,” he defended. Really, what did he know of the purchases women needed to make for a Season. His only experience was with his mistresses, which he unfortunately was without this spring. They had not needed his guidance and happily spent the allowance he provided.
“The town of Navenby is far different from London.” She glanced at the cousins before she returned her gaze to him. “Do you know that it has been noted and commented upon that your cousins have been seen wearing the same dress frequently.”
“People actually notice?” he asked. He couldn’t recall anything they had worn, or any woman for that matter. Well, except for the azure gown Lady Penelope had worn the other evening and how it complemented her skin and hair, and how the bodice had hugged her perfectly. Nearly as much as the lavender dress she had chosen for today. It was quite fetching as was she. Then there had been the moss green that she had worn to one of the first balls of the Season that had him watching her for a good deal of the night. Not only had the color been complementary, but the material in the gown, especially when waltzing, hinted at her shape when it pulled against her skin and then away. Oh, there was also a pale yellow that she had worn just last week…
“Yes!”
Her firm declaration pulled him from his thoughts.
“People do notice even if you do not.” She set her teacup and saucer aside.
How was it that he remembered dresses she had worn but not how anyone else had been clothed?
“Do you wish to be known as a cheapskate or as a guardian who is too miserly to see that his wards are properly presented?”
“Of course not!”
“Then I have your permission.” She gave a pleased nod and lifted her teacup and saucer once again.
“Permission for what?” Henry asked slowly. What trap had she just laid that he willingly walked into because he was thinking about what she had worn this Season instead of giving the conversation the attention it required?
