“Very much so . . . Georgie.”
My smile broadened at how easily he said Georgie. We walked around the bend. The large lake called the Serpentine was ahead.
More daffodils, a mix of yellow and white ones, led the way.
Hyde Park in bloom was a haven of tall trees—more aged plane trees and sweet chestnut.
“I see Torrance found some shade.”
The carriage wasn’t too far away on the other side of the lake. Lydia must be in the duke’s lap. Katherine was on the other side, almost as far from him as possible. “They don’t seem to be feuding, but I wish that they could become friends.”
“Looks can be deceiving, but I think the lady despises Torrance.”
“Mark, has the duke spoken of why they feud? Why is the Duke of Torrance dismissive of my sister, his best friend’s widow?”
“I was going to ask you why Lady Hampton hates the duke. I know the only reason he visited Lord Hampton at all was because your sister asked him to. I suspect their connection, the duke and the dowager, precedes the friendship with your brother-in-law.”
That made sense, didn’t it? Was the duke somehow a part of Katherine’s great adventure?
And if he was, wouldn’t I or Scarlett know?
A fast-sounding gallop came from behind.
Mark took my hand, led me to the tall grasses to the left of the path.
A man charging closer stood in his stirrups yelling, “Sebastian!”
“Company, Mark,” I said, and he smiled back.
The fellow on horseback ripped the hat from his head and waved it like a flag to surrender. He slowed his mount, a dapple-gray mare, inches before crashing into Mark. “Sebastian, you foolish man. Renege, man. Don’t set a wedding date.”
“Livingston, you’re a cad. He’s always joking,” Mark said, holding tightly to my hand, keeping me from running. “This is Miss Wilcox. I told you of her.”
“Pleasure to meet you, miss.” The Livingston fellow turned all his attention on Mark. “So you’re just taking part in the peacock parade? No deeper alliances? Both of you shall escape with your lives unencumbered?”
“Lord Mark, is he all right? He seems pretty bothered. Suggest your friend go get refreshment or merely stare at us like the others.”
“I’ll recover instantly, miss, if you tell me you’ve decided against my friend. Marriage is such an unhealthy business. It ruins the best relationships. Just fool around. Be free.”
Mark started to laugh. It sounded uncomfortable, a bit unhinged, like the rider. “Such a kidder. Miss Georgina Wilcox, this is Alexander Melton, the Earl of Livingston.”
Scarlett had mentioned Livingston several times. Hard to believe this excitable fellow hoping for a faux break in my false relationship was the same brilliant man my sister admired.
“The great researcher. I’ve heard great things about you, sir.”
Like I’d spoken in another language or something fanciful, Mark squinted at me but then shrugged.
Livingston cast questioning eyes upon me too. His mouth held a sardonic line. “I wish I knew more of you. Our mutual friend Sebastian here has not said very much about you at all.”
My hand tightened about his lordship’s arm and I turned to him, playing up our fake romance. “This has been a secret. Our dearest relations knew nothing. I’m terribly sorry that we’ve been unable to share. That may soon change.”
“Yes.” Mark patted my fingers. “Now that Lady Prahmn knows, courtesy of your mother, the Dowager Countess Livingston, everyone will learn of our good news.”
“No,” the earl said. “That was supposed to dissuade you.”
I’d seen people become red but never this shade of purple, lest they were no longer meant for this world. The earl turned darker and grayer than a grape.
“I thought you were my friend,” Mark said.
