“If someone needed to take a comb from my reticule,” Julia stated, “he or she would be welcome to it.”
“He?” Sarah said, and they giggled
Luckily, dinner was announced, and Sarah dropped the matter, saying nothing more about it that night and clearly suspecting nothing. It appeared as though a kind guest from the ball had returned the bag to its rightful owner.
However, Julia lay awake with a sense of unease. Who had found the bag, the lascivious viscount after he’d picked himself up off the floor or his wife when she’d retired for the evening?
Moreover, the finder had assumed the small purse belonged to the Countess of Worthington. At first, Julia couldn’t imagine why. And then she remembered. While she had no visiting cards of her own, a couple of her sister’s cards had been in the bag, and Julia had never had a reason to remove them.
“Dear God!” she whispered.What if someone accused Sarah?
***
JASPER HAD NO WAY OFknowing whether he would be escorting only Julia or both sisters. It was all the same to him. He enjoyed watching cricket, and the weather, as promised, was fair without call for rain. Even if he did nothing more than sit amiably with two lovely ladies and drink a cup of lemonade, it would be a day well spent.
As it turned out, itwasboth sisters.
“I’ve decided to accept your kind invitation to join you,” the countess told him as both females adjusted their hats and tucked parasols under their arms to ward off the sun. “After all, cricket is becoming the national pastime.”
Tapping his hat, he gestured for the door. The capable butler whipped it open, and they were on their way.
“Are either of you familiar with cricket teams?” he asked as his carriage got rolling toward St. John’s Wood. Their blank stares gave him his answer. “Today’s match is between Marylebone Cricket Club and St. John’s Wood Club.”
“Does the latter always play there?” Julia asked.
“No, the former does,” he said.
Both ladies frowned. “Why doesn’t the Marylebone Cricket Club play in Marylebone?” Miss Sudbury asked.
“They used to. They’ve been around since ... oh, the late 1780s, I believe,” he told them, trying to tamp down his enthusiasm, but fearing he would start to bore them with his facts and figures. “They had a place previously, not far away in Dorset Fields in Marylebone, hence the name. But now they’re at St John’s.”
The countess raised an eyebrow and looked at her sister. “And where does St. John’s Wood Cricket Club call home? Paris?”
He offered a wry smile, but before he could answer, Miss Sudbury asked, “Is the arena called Lord’s because it is the sport of noblemen.”
At this, he laughed loudly. “Not at all. Anyone can enjoy cricket. The grounds are named for Thomas Lord, the owner. This is his third site, actually. After Dorset Fields, he moved his cricket grounds just a few streets over to the north end of Lisson Grove, but the canal—”
“The Regent’s Canal?” the countess interrupted. “I was most interested in its development.”
“I think everyone with an interest in progress is watching its development,” Jasper agreed. “A fine piece of engineering. It will be eight miles when completed. You can buy shares, you know. I highly recommend you do so. One stands to make a tidy profit. Another two years, I warrant, and the first part will be open to traffic. Imagine the speedy progress of goods and people across town by way of the canal. Most exciting.”
“I imagine Mr. Lord was not quite so excited,” Miss Sudbury guessed.
“Correct,” Jasper said. “His Middle Grounds had barely opened when he had to close them by order of Parliament. I must hand it to the man. He’s getting up there in years. Must be in his sixties, but he picked himself up and relocated his cricket grounds again.”
Jasper was looking forward to showing them everything and to experience watching a game for the first time, something he couldn’t recall, as his father had always brought him to matches, and he had no memory of his first.
When they arrived, there were already people on the few benches dotted around opposite the pavilion, and others stood in small groups. A few men on horseback were keeping their mounts still while affording themselves a grand view.
Jasper’s footman unloaded three folding chairs and carried them to a preferable spot. He felt rather proud as the ladies exclaimed over them.
“All the soldiers used them in France. Very handy,” he agreed. “I took the liberty of having my cook pack a picnic, although there are refreshment stalls.” He pointed them out across the field. “I didn’t know if the fare would be up to your standards. I hope the food I brought is acceptable.”
To his bemusement, both Miss Sudbury and the countess began to laugh heartily. Finally, Miss Sudbury wiped her eyes.
“That is rich, sir.”
“Is it?” he asked, studying her sweetly pink cheeks and sparkling eyes. “How so?”
