He was going to ask her again, so Delia did the unforgiveable. She interrupted him.
“Exciting news, my lord. You just missed a new guest’s arrival.”
He appeared astonished. “One must hand it to Lady Osbourne. She was able to toss one overboard and scoop another out of the sea nearly as swiftly. Who is it?”
“I missed the lady’s name. We shall meet her over wine before dinner.”
“Anyone shall be preferable to Lady Elizabeth.”
Delia gasped softly. “That is unkind.”
“You didn’t have to eat beside her,” he insisted. “I wish the lady well, but I will not lie and say I regret her departure. Would you like to go riding tomorrow?”
Drats!He had slipped the invitation in anyway.
“If the schedule allows,” Delia began.
“I checked and it does. If the weather holds, then we will have a fine ride. I have already asked two others to accompany us. I look forward to seeing you on horseback.”
“As do I,” she muttered.
“I beg your pardon.”
“It’s nothing. I think we must all change for dinner, and after your exertions, you need time to refresh.”
His eyebrows rose. “Are you not already changed? I don’t recall seeing that gown earlier. And may I say, you look most becoming.”
She glanced down. “Of course. How silly of me. While you change, I am going in search of
... a glass of water.”
Obviously, he thought her strange, but he took his leave while she went to hunt down Frances, finding her on the veranda.
“I need to borrow your riding habit.”
“But you don’t ride,” her cousin pointed out. “That’s why you don’t own one.” Frances thought she was being funny.
“Tomorrow, I shall ride with Lord Perish.”
“I see.” Her cousin smiled.
Delia confessed, “I find him to be most agreeable.”
“Then why not tell him you do not ride?”
“Because he loves horses. And everyone rides. Except me.”
“That’s patently untrue. I think you’re ridiculous for not telling him. Besides if I give you my riding clothes, then how shall I accompany you?”
“You cannot. I told him you don’t ride in order to avoid doing so myself. But he has asked other guests to go with us.”
Within a short while, all the guests had gathered once more, enjoying a glass of Madeira.
“I meant to inquire earlier, how was the painting class?” Lord Perish asked.
“Wonderful! I intend to try out my new skills soon.”
Lady Osbourne entered with their new guest before Delia finished. “It’s possible to create the likeness of an oak tree with very few brushstrokes.”
