Her father looked surprised. “I don’t think you believe that of the man. You are known for your fastidiousness since you were very young. Remember when you hated to get your new boots soiled and insisted I carry you everywhere for a week so they would never touch the ground? Good thing you were a little sprite!”
She threw her arms around him. “I remember that. How I loved those boots!”
“I thought you were going to say, ‘How I love my father.’”
“How I love my father,” she repeated and kissed his cheek. “I am careful, to be sure. Fastidious, as you say, about most things.”
He cocked his head and waited.
“I confess, I am also demanding of those around me, simply because I believe it makes life more pleasant when everyone is behaving as civilly as they can.”
She took a deep breath. “In my opinion, Lord Foxford has been honest when saying he is seriously looking for a wife and will be a devoted husband once he marries. If I didn’t believe that, then I would no longer be helping him to improve himself and to find the correct lady.”
“And if you turn out to be the correct lady, then what?” her father asked.
“If I were to become his wife, I ... I would be happy,” she admitted.
Her father shrugged. “That’s all you can hope for, as long as you follow your heart.”
“You make it sound easy.”
He laughed. “Oh, no, daughter. Take it from me, your ancient papa. It wasn’t an easy path for your mother and me, and I don’t think it was particularly smooth for Clarity and her Hollidge, either. No reason yours should be any different, but it will be worth it if you get your heart’s fondest desire in the end.”
Matthew was thrilledwhen Purity accepted his invitation to an outdoor gala at Syon House. A sumptuous picnic would bepresented along the river’s edge, along with sporting activities, such as bowls, pall-mall, and archery.
Not a public event, only those with a ticket could attend. Still, it was a large enough gathering they might keep close company without their every word being overheard. Perhaps, they would promenade amongst the two hundred acres of parkland, forty of which were gardens. And into these, a determined man and woman could vanish for privacy.
However, Matthew had not been granted permission to collect Lady Purity and her chaperone. He had to settle for meeting her there, since her entire family had decided to attend, and they were naturally riding in the family’s coach.
Instead for company, Quinn was hunkered down, eyes closed, on the other side of Matthew’s brougham, looking abysmal. His friend procured a ticket because he had his eye on some lady from the Diamonds’ dinner party, although Matthew couldn’t remember which one. Quinn had expressed his gladness Matthew hadn’t collected him in his open-air curricle, curled up, and fallen asleep.
Matthew only wished he could have brought Diana. But even if he was ready to present his daughter to his future wife, the gala was for adults only.
Luckily, the day dawned brightly, but the clouds blowing across the sun momentarily caused a chill before they floated away, threatening as usual. Any sunny day in England might be also a very wet one before bedtime.
At one o’clock, they arrived at the grounds of the Duke of Northumberland’s Syon House. Matthew kicked Quinn’s boot, and his friend roused himself, still looking the worse for wear. Why the man was rarely denounced inThe Timeswhen he was carousing most nights till dawn, Matthew couldn’t fathom. Maybe after the rags discussed his own bad behavior, there was neither ink nor space for Quinn’s.
“My head aches, but my spirit is strong to enjoy the day,” his friend announced as they descended to the lawn. Quinn stretched, yawned, and set off at a jaunty pace that would let no one know Matthew had pounded upon his door and waited half an hour for him to get out of bed and dress.
Spying the Diamonds, Matthew stopped to stare at the vision that was Lady Purity in a stunning saffron-colored gown with the bluest ribbon trim. She was an exotic flower amongst the English roses, as every other lady seemed to be in pale pastel.
When he realized he was gawking, he set his feet in motion and joined their group, which was larger than he had anticipated.
“Greetings and good day,” he said to one and all.
In quick succession, he was introduced to her younger sisters, one of whom was of similar appearance to Purity and her father, while the other was the image of her mother with flaming red hair.
Before they could head toward the festivities, her eldest sister, Viscountess Hollidge arrived with her husband. Another round of greetings ensued, and then finally, Matthew could fall into step with the object of his desire while the others led the way.
“You came with an entire entourage,” he quipped.
“I suppose it seems that way,” she agreed, appearing relaxed and joyful. She was mirroring Matthew’s heart that day. “To me,” she continued, “it is normal, even a little lacking when my brother isn’t with us.”
“And do you hope for a large family of your own, if I may ask?”
“You may, and I do,” she answered when he had fully expected a reprimand for the personal question. “And you, my lord?” she asked.
“I will accept whatever offspring are given to me,” he answered, thinking he ought to mention Diana. But then aconversation regarding her mother would ensue, and he didn’t feel like going into that entire tale. Not at the start of a light-hearted occasion.
