Why, if he were as raffish as people believed, he would accompany her upstairs after all, strip off her other glove and the rest of her clothing as well. But he wasn’t. He didn’t destroy nice young ladies for sport, especially not newly engaged ones, no matter how appealing.
“Will you come,” she began, and his cock stiffened, “to fetch me for the picnic tomorrow? Since you’ve agreed to become my escort, I mean.”
Had he agreed?Yes, he supposed he had. This was going to be torture he decided right then and there. On the other hand, it was a rather enjoyable torment — to be tempted by a beautiful woman.
“Yes, I will collect you mid-afternoon.”
She nodded and turned away, but paused with a foot upon the first tread of the staircase.
“Be careful on your way home, Lord Hargrove. Brighton seems to be as dangerous as London.”
Chapter Seven
Awakening around eleven, Glynnis’s stomach was rumbling. She’d already consumed Lord Hargrove’s other sandwich the day prior, long before the party, and today’s picnic was still two hours away. Perhaps she should have eaten more of each course, rather than consuming such ladylike morsels. Even better, she could have attempted to bring some of the Regent’s exquisite food home with her.
Ah well, it probably would have been stolen along with her reticule.
She considered whether she was brazen enough to walk to the Pavilion and present herself to Prinny for a quick nuncheon before the mid-afternoon gathering. However, Glynnis had heard he wasn’t always as sociable when not playing host. It would be dreadful to do anything to raise his ire and risk missing out on the rest of the little Brighton Season.
While she could put anything from the hotel’s dining room on her hotel account, she decided to wait for the free meal. After all there was a slim chance when it came time to settle the bill, she would not have secured a wealthy fiancé to take care of it.
When Glynnis could stand her room not a minute longer, despite it being light, airy, and comfortable, she decided to go on her one errand. Parasol, straw bonnet with ribbons tied securely under her chin, a pale blue lightweight cotton dress, and a cream-colored silk shawl in case the breeze picked up — she was ready for the day’s events.
Stopping at an apothecary, she purchased the smallest amount of both witch hazel and a soothing, chamomile salve. After all, the condition of her skin was nothing to risk. After hurrying past the delicious smells of the hotel’s café, she was back in her room to apply both the treatments before going outside once again.
Not wanting to go too far in case she missed Hargrove, she remained on the oceanfront road, strolling next to the cliffs, past the fish market and the baths where she would be later, after the picnic, if the prince didn’t change his mind. She crossed the opening where the Steyne met the sea and traversed the South Parade. In five minutes, Glynnis walked on the Marine Parade where the wealthier nobs had taken up residence.
To her surprise, just a few houses ahead of her, James popped out the front door, closing it behind him. As usual, he appeared mouth-wateringly handsome, or perhaps her mouth was merely watering because she was beyond famished. In either case, she was glad to see him.
“Hargrove,” she exclaimed, and he looked equally astonished. “I had no idea your residence was so near to mine. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He blinked. Maybe the sun was in his deep blue eyes.
“The address of my dwelling didn’t come up in our conversation, nor did I see how there was any relevance as to where I was staying,” he insisted.
“Hm.”By his reaction, Glynnis had a suspicion he hadn’t told her how very close he was because he was worried his proximity might present temptation. With him merely a few minutes down the road, if she were the immoral type, she might find herself dancing Molly Pratley’s gig on his feather bed.
