All three women reacted to his comment. Mariel blushed prettily, while Lady Elsbeth sighed, and Lady Astor nodded with approval. “My lord, it is obvious that Lady Beaumont is better for your company as well.” She glanced at her companion. “My daughter has no one to bring her about and so it is left to me. She’d rather have her nose in some geology book or be studying a rock brought over from the continent.” Though the woman made it sound like a complaint, she was clearly proud of that fact.
“Lord Blackmore, my mother would have you believe that I dig in the dirt for such finds, but I assure you they are shipped cleaned and ready for examination. In fact, my mother and I were just discussing how to convince my cousin to allow us to visit the Dragon Caves in Spain, so that I might see for myself the intricacies of the stalagmites and stalactites.”
He hadn’t heard anyone speak of the Cuevas del Drach since he was at Oxford. Not sure how to respond, he was saved the effort by Mariel.
“Would you like me to make the suggestion to Joanna? I’m sure she’d approve and she has a way of convincing the duke to look at ideas in a new light.”
Lady Astor laughed. “That is quite true, and in fact, we were just discussing that avenue.”
There appeared to be a subtext beneath the conversation that he was not privy to. Still, he thought it unusual that Lady Astor would encourage her daughter to explore such a subject in another country, especially as she had just complained of the young woman’s lack of husband prospects.
Mariel placed her hand on his arm, a movement noted by the two women. “Then we shall let you continue your strategizing, and if you need any help from me, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”
“We may very well come to you. Thank you.”
As they said their goodbyes, he started the horses moving forward once again. “I don’t understand why Lady Astor would encourage her daughter’s pursuit of geological knowledge when she obviously wishes Lady Elsbeth to find a husband.”
Mariel’s hand which still remained on his arm was joined by her other hand as she held on to him, which was far too familiar in such a public setting, but which he was too pleased by her comfort with him to discourage her.
“As I said, Lady Elsbeth is one of Joanna’s students. She has finished her first year of general studies and now will be pursuing her primary interest. This is how the Belinda School for Curious Ladies operates. With Lady Astor as one of the instructors, it is only fitting that she encourage her daughter.”
He obviously hadn’t truly understood the duchess’ school. “That is a rather unorthodox educational objective for a ladies’ finishing school.”
Mariel laughed, the sound filled with happiness. “Oh, Joanna could never run a finishing school. She wouldn’t know where to start. Her school is about offering women of the aristocracy a similar education to what men receive at Oxford or Cambridge. Of course, she is still only in her first year and it is highly experimental, but both the daughters and mothers seem to be quite pleased.”
He had to ask. “And what of the fathers?”
“Why, I don’t know what the fathers think, but since they are supporting their daughters’ attendance, I can only surmise that they are pleased as well.”
So this was what she’d meant about her family when she labeled them as odd. “With your sister running such a school and your other sister becoming a celebrated artist, I’m surprised you do not wish to become a tightrope walker.” He didn’t mean his comment to be a criticism, but as Mariel released his arm and sat back to look forward again, it was clear she’d assumed it was so.
“I may not be as unusual and as interesting as my sisters, but I’m still very proud of them.”
“Unusual? Mariel, you wish to breed horses. I would say that qualifies.”
Her head snapped toward him and a slow smile spread her lips. “Actually, I’ve revised my ambition. Now I wish to train ladies’ horses. It’s obvious no one has accomplished that feat yet.”
He raised his brow. “Only ladies’ horses.”
She nodded emphatically. “Yes, only ladies. There are plenty of men to train horses for their gender.”
He thought to argue the point, but at the secret smile she sported, all thoughts vanished except that he wished to kiss her. Something he could not do on Rotten Row in Hyde Park, but he could once back at Blackmore House. “I have another surprise for you if you’d be willing to forego being seen together by the rest of theton.”
She wrinkled her nose, something she hadn’t done when he’d first met her. “I never feel the need to be seen and would happily leave to discover whatever you have planned.”
He grinned, anxious to see her face when he presented her with Hector. Hopefully, a kiss of gratefulness could be bestowed upon him then. “Then next we travel to Blackmore House.”
Her eyes widened. “Blackmore House? Is that where my surprise is?”
“It is.” He turned the phaeton half way down the lane and moved it in to return the way they’d come. “If you do not like it, you need not accept it.”
“If it is from you, then I know I will like it. No one knows me as well as you do, except my sisters.”
Her statement humbled him while at the same time was a reminder that their time would soon be over. He would not break the betrothal, but he would have to insist she keep their agreement and do so. The thought was like ice thrown upon a fire, but he refused to dwell on what would be and enjoy what they had for now.
Unfortunately, it took longer leaving the park than he preferred as many seemed intent on stopping them and discussing the weather, the duke and duchess, the ball, and the latest gossip. Their arrival at Blackmore House would be so delayed that they would have little time before he must return her to Claymore Hall or her reputation could be called into question.
Taking the road beyond Hyde Park, he led Legend and Lore to the outskirts through open fields boarded by trees. A few stately homes sat not far from the road, some new, some older like his own. Finally, he turned his team left, up the short drive to Blackmore House. Passing the front steps, he stopped them before the stable, much smaller than at Ravenridge. Impatiently, he waited for a groomsman to come out and hold the horses as he alighted and helped Mariel down. After giving the man instructions on caring for the team, he walked back to her.
