She rolled her eyes. “We all know I need no flattery to return here anymore than I would need to flatter you to inspire you to attend an event where Lady Elsbeth would be present.”
He laughed. “You know me too well, cousin.”
In truth, she did. She was also absolutely certain that Lady Elsbeth, Lady Astor, and the Duke of Northwick would not be arriving at the Pleasure Gardens this evening, no matter how much Teddy hoped it was otherwise.
Chapter Four
James slowed hisgait once through the entrance of Vauxhall. It was his first, and hopefully, last visit to the infamous Pleasure Gardens. He was quite interested to learn firsthand what truly occurred within their environs. Passing judgement on hearsay was faulty, something he had indeed done, never expecting to set foot on the grounds.
The sound of an orchestra beckoned him forward, but he kept his gaze moving, cataloging the images as he catalogued the books in his library. There were couples, and families, groups of young men and dandies milling about. The single women he noticed were obviously not of his class nor were the varied performers that flitted about the crowd. As he strolled closer to the music, he acknowledged the orchestra was adequate.
Stepping between the trees, he found the musicians on the second level of what was a three-storied rotunda. He appreciated that having the sound come from a higher level allowed it to infiltrate further into what he would consider a park. Many of his own class, as well as what he assumed to be gentry, danced across the ground below the musicians, but all appeared to be civil in their movements. His assumptions about the place were quickly being undermined, but it was yet early in the night.
He stopped to study the dancers. Though he recognized a number of men, he did not see the woman he’d come to interrogate– his thief. After his humor had spent itself over the book Lady Joanna had taken, his insult had risen. She had been a guest in his home, a new acquaintance, and yet she thought it fit to stealthily enter his library and abscond with his property? That it wasn’t one of the books he’d spent years tracking down was beside the point. What if she had taken his first edition of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy or worse yet, his gold gilded copy ofPlato’s Republic? It had simply been to his advantage that she’d taken a book of no merit.
Determining she was not among those dancing, he continued his search, his affront deepening with every stride. He doubted that she pilfered property from other peers, so it had to be something about himself that had motivated her. Though she had made all the proper responses, his instinct told him that Lady Joanna didn’t like him.
While he’d had a few older gentlemen and an occasional scholar decide not to further his acquaintance, and which he in return agreed, he’d never encountered someone with whom he’d had so little interaction take such a quick dislike of his personage. He hadn’t met any of the Mabry family until yesterday eve, but she had definitely found fault with him. He didn’t like it. It made him want to defend himself when he had no reason to do so. In his frustration, he found himself striding toward a grove of trees. He stopped and looked about.
Somehow, he’d walked beyond the buildings. Quickly, he retraced his steps until he came upon a long, curved structure, much like a portico that was sectioned off to provide seating at a table for a few people each. The tables sat about a foot above the lawn on concrete with diners on two ends and the rest facing outward toward a lawn where others strolled, and where, at the moment, a man juggled flaming torches. The music filtered through the trees, but was not so loud as to make conversation difficult. Scanning those at the tables, some of whom appeared to be eating, he found the person he sought. “Lady Joanna.”
Without preamble, he strode to her section where she sat with family. “Lady Joanna, Lord Mabry, Lady Beaumont.” He took in their reactions at his presence in a thrice. The lady he sought appeared stunned, while Lord Mabry instantly rose and smiled, and Lady Beaumont nodded politely, her smile kind.
Mabry held out his hand. “Your Grace, it is a pleasure to find you here.” The young man scanned the area, no doubt expecting to see Elsbeth. “Are you alone?”
He shook hands. “I am.” Though he spoke to Mabry, he covertly watched as Lady Joanna lifted her glass and swallowed a large portion of wine.
“Then you must join us, please.” Mabry opened his arm to indicate the empty chair next to Lady Joanna.
James smiled, barely keeping a grin from forming. “Thank you.”
Stepping up into the close area, he sat down, noting that Lady Joanna did not meet his gaze.
Mabry resumed his seat. “We are about to have Lady Joanna’s favorite confection. Or rather, the ladies are about to. I’m having a few Shrewsbury cakes myself.”
He turned his attention to his thief. “And what is your favorite confection?”
She finally met his gaze. “It is mascarpone ice cream. If you have not tried it, I highly recommend it. Monsieur Armand only serves it but once a month here at Vauxhall.”
He’d expected her to reveal her guilt, but she met his gaze fully and even gave a short nod as if she were the authority on the subject.
“Then I will definitely taste it so I may pass my own judgment on this delicacy.”
“Excellent.” Mabry waved a gentleman over and proceeded to give him their request.
He took advantage of Mabry’s distraction. “Lady Joanna, are you an expert on confections?”
“Not at all. I simply know what I enjoy.”
“And do you enjoy reading?”
She looked away and reached for her wine, taking a small sip. After setting it down, she met his gaze once again. “I adore reading. Why do you mention it? Is there something you’ve read that you would like my opinion on?”
Her opinion? He stiffened. “Not at all. I simply thought to have a conversation.”
“Then I will ask you this. What do you think of the waltz?”
He blinked, the turn in subject catching him unawares. “What is there to think of it? It is a dance that is currently enjoyed by many. Do you waltz?”
