After allowing Marcus to fuss over his cravat for a full seventeen minutes, Garrett dismissed the eager valet and braced himself to make his appearance at Lady Ravensdale’s garden party. He’d eschewed both the top hat and cane Marcus tried foisting upon him. He wasn’t a doddering old man yet, for God’s sake.
Feeling overdressed for a summer afternoon, he slipped downstairs and out to the front lawn. Most of the other guests had already arrived, but he wasn’t really interested in any of them. No, he found himself searching for one individual in particular. He leaned against the ornate wall lining the drive and perused the various clusters of ladies and gentlemen. They held dainty cakes in gloved hands and drank lemonade from sparkling crystal. Conversation rose and fell as it echoed off the waters of the nearby lake. The moderated tones, however, were interrupted by a delightful burst of feminine giggles.
Lady Natalie, overcome with laughter, dressed in pink and lace, was enough to dispel any reluctance he’d had in attending. Without stopping to think, he purposefully strode toward the group of ladies where they sat near the water.
Garrett’s heart lightened as he drew closer. Her earlier despondency had fled and a bubbling effervescence now overflowed from her. He’d not enjoyed contemplating her misery.
Upon reaching them, he bowed. “My lady, would you be so kind as to present me to your lovely companions?”
Miss Crone actually snorted. Garrett ignored the sarcastic gesture and instead complimented them upon their frocks. They seemed a cheerful group, less restrained and rigid than the countess’s other guests.
Lady Natalie’s eyes gleamed. “Won’t you sit with us, my lord?” She indicated a vacant chair across from her. Before any further conversation, however, Lord Ravensdale ambled toward them with the Duke of Monfort following at a more leisurely pace.
Gesturing toward the empty rowboats, the earl turned in the direction of his sons and with no thought to propriety, shouted, “Come over here, Darlington. We have three ladies in need of coxswains and just two bachelors to comply.” Returning his attention to the ladies, he laughed at his own cleverness. “I’m sure you gels might have waited all day for these gallants to put away their games and take you out for a paddle, eh? Gentlemen sometimes need prodding, heh, heh.”
Natalie tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and likely was wondering that her father was such a favorite of theton. Garrett supposed it had something to do with the man being an earl—a very wealthy one at that.
Showing no tact whatsoever, the earl persisted. “Natalie, I’m sure Monfort here has a knack with the oars. Hawthorne, you take out dear Miss Wright, and Darlington can row Miss Crone. What a nice picture you all will make, eh?”
Looking resigned, Natalie rose and the duke bowed low before her. “My lady, it would be an honor to take you for a turn on the lake, if you wish it.”
She curtsied and smiled politely—too politely. “It would bemy pleasure, Your Grace.” Garrett turned to Miss Wright and offered his arm, and just arriving to join them, Lord Darlington did the same with Miss Crone. The resigned little group obediently stepped out onto the dock and began arranging themselves onto the various boats.
Monfort claimed a boat first and steadied it for Lady Natalie. Ignoring the duke’s outstretched hand, Natalie gasped in dismay. “Oh, I have forgotten my parasol! Miss Wright, you must go with the duke, and I shall follow with Lord Hawthorne.” Natalie pulled the lady forward and thrust her toward the duke’s craft.
If not for the quick reactions of the duke, Miss Abigail Wright might very well have fallen into the lake.
Garrett chuckled as Natalie dashed back onto shore, presumably to fetch the very essential parasol. Heaven forbid her honeyed English complexion be exposed to the intermittent afternoon sunlight. As the duke pushed off with Miss Wright, Garrett watched Natalie slow to a promenade, open the lacy umbrella, and twirl it flirtatiously on her shoulder. A secret smile danced upon her lips as she glanced at him from beneath her lashes.
In no hurry himself, Garrett took a seat in the third rowboat, reclined on the bench, and enjoyed her performance. He admitted to himself, unashamedly, that he was not displeased with this turn of events.
When she arrived on the jetty once again, he couldn’t help but return her impish grin.
“Well, my lady, that was effective. I am most impressed.”
Natalie turned her head and followed the progress of the other two boats as they drifted atop the calm lake waters. “I think the duke might very well enjoy a few moments in the company of Miss Wright. If anybody can find a crack in his demeanor, I think it could be her. She has a marvelous sense of humor!” Her smile took a wicked turn as she then looked downat Garrett. “Do you know how to row us around this lake, or are we to remain tied to the jetty all afternoon?”
Again, Garrett was sitting in this lady’s presence! Immediately, he corrected his manners by standing and taking hold of the nearest pillar for balance. With a courtly gesture, he beckoned her to join him on board. “I am at your service, my lady.” He reached out his gloved hand and took hold of her fingers. Although she, too, wore gloves, he could feel the delicate bones in her hands as she leaned into his assistance. He did not release her until she sat safe and secure on the boat.
“Do you have any particular destination in mind?” he asked as he untied the lines.
Natalie lounged back on her elbows and pulled one glove off. Dipping lazy fingers in the water, she let her head fall back sleepily, the parasol forgotten on the seat beside her. “We could go around the island,” she suggested.
Garrett removed his own gloves and slipped off his jacket while allowing the boat to drift aimlessly for the moment. He rolled his sleeves up before taking the oars and performing smooth, slow strokes, drawing them away from the shoreline.
All the while, he considered the options before him.
If ever a gentleman was presented with an opportunity to court a lady, this was it.
Did he wish to court her?
As she leaned her head back, she must have dislodged one of the pins holding her mass of ringlets in place. Several spiraling locks came free and cascaded down to settle on her shoulders and around her décolletage. Instead of reaching for the pin to try to rearrange her coiffure, she shook her head slightly, causing even more strands to come loose.
Catching him watching her, Natalie grimaced. “My maid got carried away,” she said dryly.
Sweet Lord in Heaven, this gorgeous girl was completely unaware of the seductive effect she had on him. Could she bethat naïve? Even decked out in a profusion of pink lace and chiffon, she ignited a sensual longing within him. Perhaps courting her was not such a very bad idea, all things considered.
“I find your ensemble delightful.” He complimented her as a gentleman would but did nothing to disguise a more carnal appreciation from entering his eyes. He then enjoyed her blush.
