*
On Wednesday afternoon,Erina waited for Harry in Hyde Park. She had sent her maid, Tilly, to buy a posy of violets from a flower seller near the park gates and now sat alone on a bench beneath the trees. There was a pleasing view of the rippling waters of the Serpentine Lake. It was a mild day, the worst of the chilly weather behind them, the air sweet with the scents of wildflowers and trees painted in their new spring green.
Perhaps because she wanted to ensure Harry would keep hispromise, she had taken great care with her appearance. Her Indian muslin with its broad flounces of lace was pretty; the blue velvet spencer tied with bows in front was very smart. She had teamed them with white chamois leather gloves and French gray kid half-boots, and a bonnet of spotted blue velvet with an embroidered feather.
Harry approached and raised his hat. “Lady Erina, how delightful to see you again,” he said as a couple strolled past. “Is your father in good health?” He slid onto the bench beside her.
“Father is quite well, thank you.” She gazed at him while trying to judge his mood. Might he have had a change of heart? “Are we all set?” Erina sounded a little breathless. She had packed her bag in readiness, proud of her restraint in choosing only necessary items. She had no idea how much luggage one could take in a curricle.
“There’s a hitch,” Harry said while his gaze took in her outfit from her boots to her hat.
“‘A hitch’?” Was he trying to wriggle out of it?
He leaned back against the bench and folded his arms. “No need to look at me like that.”
“Like what?” she asked impatiently. Now that her mind had been made up, she wanted to be gone.
“You think I’m backing out.”
She noted the wry twist of his lips, annoyed with him for toying with her, while at the same time distracted by his well-shaped mouth. She grabbed his arm. “Oh, Harry, you aren’t, are you?”
“I jolly well should! I’ve received a note from Jack. He stumbled into an unfortunate affair at Ivywood Hall. The Marquess of Butterstone has been murdered.”
“How dreadful,” she said, frowning in concern. “What will he do now?”
“Jack has had to change his plans. He intends to stay on until he can consult the magistrate. He’s in need of evening clothes. Asked me to take them to him.”
“Is that far out of our way?”
“Less than a day’s ride from here.”
“Well, that’s not so bad. In the scheme of things.”
“Better I go alone. There’s no sense in risking more exposure than is necessary. But you won’t wait here for me to return, will you?” He sighed. “You’ll be riding in my wake.”
“I’ll come.” She eyed him suspiciously. “You won’t go without me?”
“What do I tell Jack about you? You two have met.”
What would he make of this? He sensed would be more difficult to deal with than Harry. “He has mentioned me?”
“In passing.”
“What did he say about me?”
Harry shook his head. “Has Jack won another heart?”
“How ridiculous!” She scowled. “I was merely curious.”
“He said I would be lucky to marry you.”
“Oh.” Erina smiled. “Wouldn’t Jack keep our secret? He could tell Lady Butterstone I’m your cousin, and you’re escorting me home to Ireland.”
Harry snorted. “I’d trust Jack with my life. In fact, I have done so on occasion. But fooling a marchioness might be more difficult than you think. Will you leave a letter for your father?”
“I plan to.” Her face heated. “I don’t want to upset him.”
“And leaving without a word won’t, of course.”
