Late next morning, a town carriage drew up outside. At first, fearing it was Mr. Nash, Lucy ran to the window in time to see a footman in livery open the door and Sarah step down onto the pavement. Noticing a curtain twitch from the widowed lady in the house over the road, Lucy hurried out to greet Sarah.
“It is lovely to see you.” She noticed worry darkening Sarah’s blue eyes. Could it be the dowager countess? “Has something happened?”
“Yes. Would you care to stroll with me in the park? We might speak there where we won’t be overheard.”
“Of course. Come into the parlor while I get my bonnet and gloves, and tell my aunt.”
As they strolled along the paths in Hyde Park, a brisk wind teased at the gray clouds overhead, and the air felt humid, promising rain. Fearing they would have little time for a chat, Lucy turned to her concerned friend. “What is it? Can you tell me?”
“Mr. Beaufort has called several times and took me in his carriage to see the new monument in Green Park. Have you seen it?”
Lucy shook her head.
“The Temple of Concord. It’s a folly to mark the signing of the Treaty of Paris and quite extraordinary. There’s a brightlypainted bridge and pagoda spanning the canal at St. James’s Park. Mr. Beaufort was very attentive.”
“But that is splendid news, is it not?” Lucy said, confused by Sarah’s demeanor.
“I received a letter from Lord Cardew yesterday. He returns to London tomorrow and writes that he is not going to marry Lady Gwendolyn.”
“Goodness,” Lucy said, gripped by the news. This was entirely unexpected. Admittedly, Sarah was an earl’s daughter, but to give up the marriage already arranged to a duke’s daughter, a woman of even higher rank? It would cause a dreadful commotion. She doubted Lord Cardew had the fortitude to weather it.
“He says we must elope before his mother finds out.”
Lucy stared at her. “He would go against his mother’s wishes?” She was immediately suspicious. “Are you sure he is being truthful?”
Sarah shrugged. “He must love me. Otherwise, why would he break off his betrothal to Lady Gwendolyn?”
“I’m sure he does love you, in his way. But might he merely want to get you to himself? Suppose he doesn’t mean to marry you?”
Sarah’s blue eyes grew dark with distress. She shook her head. “Surely, he wouldn’t do such a terrible thing.”
“I don’t know Lord Cardew, so I can’t say what he is capable of. But what about Mr. Beaufort? I’m sure his intentions would be honorable.”
“Yes, and I’ve come to like him a good deal. But Robert says I owe him allegiance. We have been together for so long…”
Lucy took her arm. “You owe him nothing, Sarah. Think what your mother and brother would say and how disappointed they would be should you elope? It will create a dreadful scandal.”
“They would accept it in time, and it will be a good marriage. Robert is a viscount and heir to the Skelton earldom.”
“I find it difficult to believe him. If he wants to marry you, he should do so in the proper manner, by first speaking to your brother. Not whisk you away from your family and deny you a wedding surrounded by those who love you,” Lucy said, deeply concerned for her friend. “Please give it some thought and don’t make a hasty decision.”
Sarah smiled weakly. “You’re right, of course. I will demand more assurances from Robert when he calls to see me tomorrow.” Doubt filled her eyes. “Mama has taken to her bed again. She says she is merely tired. The doctor has prescribed a tonic. I wish Hugh would come home.”
Lucy’s chest fluttered. “Are you expecting him soon?”
“He wrote to say he was venturing farther north but didn’t say why. I imagine it’s a business matter.”
Rain began to patter onto the leaves above them. Sarah put up her umbrella, and they huddled together as they ran for the carriage.
Inside, Sarah put a hand on Lucy’s arm. “You are a true friend. There is something else I would like to ask of you.”
Lucy smiled. “Certainly.”
“Could you come to the house tomorrow and be there when Lord Cardew arrives? I know what I have to say to him, but he tends to browbeat me. He makes me feel that I am at fault, which is ridiculous, I know, but…”
“Of course I will. But I doubt Lord Cardew will be too thrilled by my presence.”
Sarah sank back against the squab. “Oh, thank you. I feel better already. I’ll send the carriage for you at ten o’clock.”
