Lorelei, on the other hand, frowning, turned to him. “Is this conveyance safe?”
“Certainly. I would never put a lady or”—he tipped his head in Harlowe’s direction—“her brother, in jeopardy,” he retorted. “Lord Harlowe, how would you like to act as tiger this afternoon?”
“Blimey!”
“Brandon,” Lorelei said sharply.
“Er, brilliant, my lord. I-I would be honored.”
Thorne nodded at the other young man, standing at the front phaeton, holding the bits. “Andrews, Lord Harlowe here will act in your stead for our excursion to Hyde Park today.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Lorelei chewed her bottom lip, sending a shot of lust through Thorne. “I don’t know about this, my lord.”
Thorne ignored her. There was plenty of time to reassure her later. “Clamber up, Harlowe. I’ll assist Lady Lorelei for now.”
Harlowe scrambled to the chair in the boot with a nimbleness giving fact to the boy’s youth.
“Bran—”
“Cor, Lore. Don’t spoil the only fun I’ve had since we got to town.”
Thorne took her by the arm. “Come along, Lady Lorelei. A boy needs his fun. I’ll be driving. He is perfectly safe.” He led her to the side of the vehicle and didn’t hesitate, lifting her by the waist and setting her inside the topless carriage body.
Thorne strode around the back of the conveyance and shot Harlowe a mock-stern look. “Don’t fall out, my lord. I don’t think killing an earl is above your sister’s wrath,” he said softly.
He was rewarded with a genuine grin that highlighted the similarities between the siblings. “Right-o, my lord.”
Thorne hopped up from the other side and took the reins from their hook. “Wait here for me, Andrews.”
Seven
H
yde Park was a lush green field of grass and trees, that to realize it was in the heart of London was astonishing. Lorelei did her best to maintain her cool sophistication, but knew she was failing miserably. There were just so many exciting things to see.
“Have you been to the park, my lady?”
She shook her head. “There are so many people. I fear we are going to run someone over.” Indeed, myriad couples walked hand in hand, clothes and parasols displayed of every conceivable color. Others were on horseback. Everywhere there were dogs, birds, children.
“Which is exactly why running a horse through the park is illegal.” He pointed in the direction of a body of water. “That is the Serpentine.”
Small boats and ducks and swans milled lazily about the water. “We have a large pond at Spixworth. Do you have a boat, my lord?” Lorelei asked him, almost positive it was a suitable topic.
“I do not.”
“Do you know how to row a boat, my lord?” The question came from behind and Lorelei had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling.
“I can handle a boat, Lord Harlowe.” Kimpton slid her a sideways glance. “And you, Lady Lorelei, can you handle a boat?”
Her grin broke through. “Most assuredly, my lord. I also swim.”Oh dear.She wasn’t so certain swimming qualified as fitting.
“How… unusual,” he said. “I don’t believe I’ve met a woman who is able to swim.”
“Lore can outswim even me, and I’m fast.”
Kimpton lifted a brow in her direction.
