He knew he’d have to tell them, and that they would not be pleased, but not here in a park full of society members.
“I promise I will explain everything, just trust me in this. I need to speak to her now.”
“Very well, but we will have a full accounting,” Anthony said.
Liberty and Evie returned with two lemonades.
“Give those to your men. I need to speak to Lady Alice, and you two are going to help me,” Jamie said, taking the cups and handing them to Anthony and Toby.
“Why can’t we come?” Anthony demanded. “We could distract Thaddeus Thomas.”
“For pity’s sake, fine, come then.” He then held out his arms for their women.
“You may want to smile before we approach Lady Alice or that look will have her running for the hills,” Liberty said out of the side of her mouth.
“I need you to draw her away from the Thomas twins.”
“Really?” He could feel Evie’s eyes on the side of his face. “That’s an exciting development.”
“It absolutely is not a development, but I have something I must discuss with her,” Jamie said.
“Damn,” Evie muttered.
“I feel like a spare carriage wheel wandering along in his wake, while he monopolizes our wives,” Anthony said from behind them as he drank the lemonade.
“It is complicated, but I will tell you the reason I need to speak to her later. I promise.”
“Oh, well then, if you are promising, Jamie, I guess we must,” Liberty said. “I like her by the way.”
“As do I,” Evie agreed. “Determined, strong willed, and does not suffer fools. Her aunt is lovely too. Not sure about the father as I believe he lives in France, or so Anthony told me when we were discussing the perfect woman for you.”
“What?”
“You have excellent hearing, so I know you heard, Jamie.”
“Leave him alone, Evie,” her husband called from behind them. “He is looking a little panicky.”
“I am not panicky, but I will add that just because you are all experiencing wedded bliss, does not mean I must.”
His friends all gave him a look that suggested he was protesting too much, so rather than confirming their suspicions, he shut up.
He wouldn’t wed until he was ready, and then it would be comfortable. Someone like Lady Alice was likely the least comfortable woman he knew.
Chapter Eleven
“Isay, don’tlook now, but we are being approached by several noble people.”
“You can’t swing your parasol around here without hitting a few, so could you be more specific, brother?” Eloise asked.
But Alice knew who was approaching, because he’d interpreted the signal she’d sent him when passing. Lord Stafford. Before Thaddeus could say their names, she heard someone calling to her. Turning, she watched the group approach.
Lord Stafford walked with the wives of his friends on each arm, while their husbands ambled in their wake. He looked calm, with none of the unleashed power she’d seen in that boxing ring, but Alice knew it was there beneath the surface.
Greetings were exchanged, and then Lady Hamilton said, “How lovely it is to see you out here on such a beautiful day. We are to take a turn along the Serpentine. Would you all care to join us?”
“We would love to,” Thaddeus said with his usual enthusiasm, before the two women with him could comment.
Soon they were strolling. Alice watched Lord Stafford release his friends’ wives and move to her side. He then held out his hand to her. Eloise shot her a speculative look.
