Thus, Adam’s only dissatisfaction was in how little he could pull from Lady Susanne’s thoughts as toherinterests and likes. His parents led separate lives but were also extremely compatible on many aspects. How could he tell whether he and Lady Susanne could share marital happiness when she rarely responded to a question except to parrot it back at him?
“What is your favorite city?” he asked as they strode along the wide path of crushed yellow stone.
“Oh, I am sure they are all nice,” she said blandly. “What is yours?”
When they passed by the entrance to the Labyrinth, reportedly twice as large as that at Hampton Court, he paused and asked her, “Do you think you might like a small domestic animal in the home, a dog, cat, or bird, perhaps?”
“They are all the same to me.”
Her words stunned him to argue, “Surely a fluffy, soft cat is not like a sharp-beaked bird.”
She blinked, then smiled. “You are teasing me, my lord. If I marry a man who likes dogs or cats or even monkeys, it is of no matter to me. Whatever he likes, I shall certainly accept.”
She was either the most amiable female he had ever met, a bold-faced liar, or utterly disinterested in life, perhaps a simpleton at heart and head. To him, it was absurd not to care whether you had a monkey or a cat running around your home.
The moment two well-dressed ladies strolled by along the promenade, he watched Lady Susanne perk up.
“Mother, I have seen that dress in a fashion magazine at our modiste’s. Not the one on Pulteney Bridge, mind you, but Madame Peridot’s. I cannot believe someone is already wearing such a creation. Isn’t it divine? Although I might have chosen a different color ribbon. I would love to stop at Madame Peridot’s tomorrow and ask how soon she can whip up one for me.”
“Of course,” her mother said. “You would be lovely in it. Don’t you think, my lord?”
Adam wished he knew which dress they were speaking of, for they all looked rather similar, and he couldn’t detect which might be a new design. There was only one correct answer.
“Lady Susanne is lovely in what she is wearing now, and I have no doubt she would be lovely in anything she wore.”
He felt a little insipid saying the words, but it earned him twin smiles of approval from mother and daughter.
Adam turned to her mother. “Do you wish to enter the maze?”
“It is dreadfully long, and we could be in there for hours.”
Hours?Being trapped with Lady Susanne suddenly held no allure. Instead, the image of Mrs. Malcolm flashed before his eyes. He banished it, knowing he had no business thinking of her at all.
“These gardens are truly splendid at night, my lord,” Lady Beasley said. “They rival Vauxhall, and we shall bring you back here soon to see the entertainment.”
Thus, while he had some reservations, he didn’t hesitate in agreeing to escort Lady Susanne to a concert in the Octagon Room at the same assembly rooms two nights later. And when she thanked him emphatically and blinked her deep brown eyes, he felt even better about it. She was a charming female.
As they arrived back at the Beasleys’ home, Mrs. Malcom exited the front door. Adam wondered if the governess was going home to her husband, for he still didn’t know if she was married, nor even if she lived with the Beasleys. He hadn’t been able to ask his companions since his curiosity could have no reason beyond nosiness.
“Mrs. Malcolm,” Lady Susanne called out in her usual good-natured way. “We went to the Sydney Gardens,” she added as the governess came to a halt.
Adam jumped down and held his hand out to Lady Beasley and then to Lady Susanne. Then they all joined Mrs. Malcolm, who kept her gaze upon the females.
“Lord Diamond had never seen them,” Lady Susanne continued. “Did you know they were named after a dead man who founded Australia?”
Mrs. Malcolm’s expression was priceless, then her gaze flitted to Adam who bit back a laugh.
“I know of Lord Sydney,” the governess said carefully, probably not wanting to disabuse the young lady in public of her skewed and incorrect facts. “You had fine weather for such an outing,” she added.
“We did,” Adam agreed.
Reluctantly, or so it seemed, Mrs. Malcolm turned her gray-green eyes upon him.
“Didyouenjoy the gardens?” she asked, with a hint of tartness.
“I did,” he said. And then the devil got into him and he added, “but not as much as the garden behind the assembly rooms.”
She paled, and he instantly regretted his thoughtless remark.
