“Is that so dangerous? You went there on your own once, remember?”
It wasn’t meant to wound, she was sure, for she caught a glimmer of humor in his eyes. “I know. It seems so long ago. So much has happened since.”
At her words, the amusement in his eyes faded, and he returned to his letters. “She’ll be back directly.” He shuffled papers.
“I’d like to take the landau and fetch her.”
“Yes, do, if you must. But I suspect you’re overreacting.” He turned around in the chair as she walked to the door. “Take a footman.”
“I will.”
“Kate?”
She swung around. “Yes?”
“I thought we’d hang the portrait over the fireplace in the salon.”
“Really?”
He smiled. “You are pleased with it?”
“Yes, very much. I’d like that. I must go.”
Kate hurried down the stairs. Robert constantly surprised her. His generosity was without question, but when that warm expression entered his eyes, he drew her like a cat to a warm stove, and she had to retreat to get her breath.
In the park, Kate angled her parasol to keep the sun from her eyes and walked along beneath the trees. Soames trailed behind. Many people strolled about, enjoying the fine weather after a week of rain.
She searched for Merry among the trees but couldn’t find her, so continued walking to the Serpentine. But Merry was not among those viewing the lake.
On her way back, Kate passed a copse of trees, and there, tucked away from sight on a seat sat Merry with a man beside her, and no sign of Brigitte.
The dark-haired man was modestly dressed in a brown coat and pantaloons. With a glance behind her at Soames, Kate walked smartly up to them. They were so engrossed in their conversation neither of them noticed her until she stood before them.
Merry gasped and put a gloved hand to her cheek. “Kate!” She turned to the Frenchman who had risen from the seat. “Armand, this is my cousin by marriage, Marchioness, Lady St. Malin.”
The Frenchman bowed low. “De Ville, my lady.”
“Monsieur.” Kate nodded coolly at him, then turned to Merry. “Where is Brigitte, Merry?”
Merry cast her eye around. “She was here a moment ago,” she said, waving her hand vaguely. “She said she saw someone she knew.”
“Never mind. Please come, I have a carriage waiting.”
De Ville found his voice. “My lady, I beg that you will forgive my impertinence, but…”
Kate arched an eyebrow. “I don’t believe your conduct has been above board, monsieur.”
He gave a Gallic shrug. “It would not help my cause to follow society’s rules. I would be cast out into the darkness forever.”
He certainly had a dramatic turn of phrase. She could see why Merry was attracted to him. He presented a romantic figure, with his French accent. And handsome, with expressive brown eyes. “Is it your cause to turn a young woman against her family, monsieur? If the Marquess of St. Malin was here, I suspect you would indeed be cast out. Quite painfully.” Kate took Merry’s arm. “Come to the carriage, please Merry.”
“I am here at Miss Hargrove’s invitation, my lady,” Armand called following behind.
Kate looked at Merry whose steps faltered beside her. “Did you invite him, Merry?”
Tears filled Merry’s eyes. “Well yes… I did, I—”
“We’ll discuss this at home.” Kate nodded at Armand who was scuttling sideways, eyeing the scowling footman, considerably bigger in stature. “Good day, monsieur.”
