Payton laughed, giving James a knowing look.
Dammit all if his friend didn’t think him jealous!
After Payton took his leave, they passed through the doorway at the other end of the Riding House and into the open courtyard, also owned by the prince. From there, they exited back onto Church Street.
“A lovely outing,” Miss Talbot declared. “Do you think there is somewhere we can get any fruity ice or ice cream? Somewhere like Gunter’s? Besides the prince’s kitchen, I mean. Or even a glass of lemonade.”
She twirled her parasol and looked beyond fetching. James was starting to think he might have to have a word with her about the future and her fiancé and whether she might see her way clear to fall in love with a rake who was willing to reform and become devoted.
After all, he’d had his fun — as much as any man and more so. Back in London was his comfortable house, ready for a family. Also back in London was his mistress, ready for anything, but he couldn’t work up too much enthusiasm over returning to her, not when he was holding Miss Talbot’s arm.
“Glynnis Talbot,” he said, feeling her startle beside him.
She said nothing for a moment, and then, “Yes?”
“Nothing at all. I was just trying out the sound of your name. It’s a strong yet pretty name. It suits you.”
“Thank you. I didn’t think you even knew my Christian name.”
He chuckled. “After our first meeting, I asked our host who you were, including your name.”
“I see.”
He waited.Did she know his name?Perhaps she didn’t care. He had to remind himself she had tried to trap more than one man during the Season.
“I know your name, too,” she said after a few steps. “James Lambert. It is a strong name, yet not at all pretty.”
He liked hearing her say it, too.
“Let’s go through the Lanes,” he suggested. “We’ll find ice cream and lemonade, I believe.”
Indeed they did. And James hadn’t never had such a fine time doing nothing before. They looked in shop windows, spoke prittle-prattle, and laughed a great deal. And he found himself looking forward to escorting Glynnis to Prinny’s garden assembly.
“Isn’t it strange to be walking back to the same house to get ready for the party?” she remarked later.
“It is,” he agreed, and when they were back at his house, he found it difficult to part with her.
She, however, was gleeful to dash upstairs. “Your maid is most helpful. I am sure she will make me look my best for tonight.”
“You already look your best,” he said, despite her having gone too far to hear him.
Glynnis Talbot . . . GlynnisLambert. Viscountess Hargrove.Hm!
***
APERFECT DAY, SHEdecided. And there would be more because Glynnis had made sure the Prince Regent didn’t give the pieces of art a second look. Hargrove wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Biting her lip, she had the decency to feel terribly guilty.Poor James!
She liked the name immensely. He hadn’t exactly given her leave to use it, nor would she when she recalled how revoltingly forward and intimate Isabelle had sounded.
But she could think of him that way, while continuing to call him Hargrove to his face, the same way his friends did, including that dashing Lord Payton. The man sat a horse well and had a nice way about him. Although he couldn’t hold a candle to James.
Sighing, she wished she could stop comparing other men to the viscount.
Poor James indeed!She’d done him a terrible disservice. Sadly, it had been necessary to keep a roof over her head. However, if Lord Payton turned out to be a potential husband and she fell under his protection, then she would do her best to convince the Regent he must enjoy every piece James had brought over from Paris. What’s more, she would be as convincing as her fellow Welsh-born woman, the famed actress Sarah Siddons.
After Glynnis gave herself a scrub down in the tiled bathing room, Polly helped her into a clean gown and dressed her hair. Tonight, she was determined to conquer Lord Payton.
