Continuing their promenade, chatting lightly about nothing, they finally approached the large white building in the corner of the property.
“The stables,” her escort said as they drew closer.
“Yes, I’d heard of their unusual design, but they are beyond imagining. She took another look at the impressive edifice of minarets and massive windows with its majestic dome towering over everything around it, and she had two thoughts — firstly, there didn’t seem to be any lamps lit or party guests near the stables, and thus she intended to steer him back to where someone might see them. Secondly,gracious! These horses had a finer home than her parents’ house.
As they drew closer, the hair on the back of Glynnis neck seemed to prickle, perhaps because Lord Cumberry’s footsteps had sped up. Easily tugging her arm free, she spun upon her heel to start up another path along the lawn and back toward the Pavilion.
“Miss Talbot,” came Lord Cumberry’s voice behind her. “Wouldn’t you like to see the prince’s fine horses? I believe you shall find a magnificent stallion inside.”
Raising a gloved hand, she kept walking.Did he think her an absolute ninny?
“Most assuredly,” she declared, “I shall not.”
His hurried footsteps caught up to her, and they continued in silence until they reached a yew hedgerow growing at an angle to the house. Suddenly, they were in the shadows, close to the other revelers yet still shielded. Moreover, they were slowing down until they came to a standstill.
“Have you been to Brighton before?” he asked, glancing around him in a manner familiar to her. He was looking for privacy.
She’d already answered this banal question when he’d asked her many minutes prior. She, too, looked around, but she was looking for a witness.
“No, my lord. This is my first time.” That made her sound like a debutante at her first ball, a good impression. She blinked up at him a few times as if life in society was entirely new to her.
“I quite like it,” Glynnis added in her best breathy tone. “Moreover, I find everything and everyone are of interest to me.”
“How refreshing,” Lord Cumberry said. “Look up and see how clearly the stars appear.”
She did as he suggested, and felt him move closer until suddenly, his lips were upon her arched neck. She shivered, continuing to observe the night sky, and then he drew her against him. This was all very good except she was unsure how to get someone to see their inappropriate behavior.Should she scream?
Hating to do that, for she would rather not directly be the cause of their discovery as it could cause resentment in her future husband, she bided her time and let him nibble her neck. Where was Hargrove? She’d hoped he would have discovered her by then.
Instead, Glynnis would have to let Lord Cumberry take a few liberties now in order to ensure he took some later when she had maneuvered them into a more favorable position for being found.
When she felt his hands on her back, she shifted her gaze to his.
“I did see the stars,” she remarked, then added coyly, “They gave me the most curiously warm feeling.”
He chuckled softly before lowering his head. She closed her eyes and waited. Instead of a pleasant kiss, she heard loud, off-tune whistling.
In a flash, Lord Cumberry darted away from her.
“Cumberry, is that you?” came a familiar voice.
Hargrove!
***
“WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOUabout, ol’ boy?” James asked.As if he didn’t know!There they were at the first of Prinny’s parties and alreadyKissing Cumberrywas up to his usual tricks. He’d been caught kissing more women than just about any man. Not that many a man didn’t enjoy stealing a kiss, but the fellow showed no sense about where and when.
Poor Miss Talbot to have foolishly taken a walk with him. He couldn’t credit the idea she’d had a hand in enticing Cumberry, not now she was safely engaged. James had kept an eye upon her, ready to run if she so much as set foot in the stables, and was glad she’d shown good sense in turning back toward the party. Then he’d lost them momentarily behind the shrubbery.
“Good evening, Hargrove,” Cumberry returned, grinning like an idiot and looking unbothered, while Miss Talbot appeared flustered.
Apparently she hadn’t realized her predicament until too late, and luckily James had shown up in time. If he hadn’t whistled a warning, he would have been forced to demand Cumberry do the honorable thing and buy the marriage contract from Miss Talbot’s fiancé. Probably Aberavon would still have demanded satisfaction by way of a duel.
“Prinny’s about to play the cello,” James told them, “and everyone has been commanded to enjoy it.”
“Don’t want to miss such a performance, eh, wot-wot,” the man said, practically salivating. Cumberry was a confirmed royal bum-kisser, too.
“We must take another walk soon, Miss Talbot,” he added before dashing back toward the terrace doors of the Pavilion.
