Page 46 of Courting the Country Miss

“Last I heard. She’s been to France and Greece, too. She is supposed to come home this summer but her last letter indicated no interest in returning.”

The waltz ended and they went into supper. Tristan kept quiet and consumed enough food to impress a horse. After a few minutes, he realized his rudeness to those sitting near him, so he donned his famous charm like a suit of armor and flirted with all the females within earshot.

Wynn and Mrs. Hunter appeared to enjoy each other’s company, as did Leticia and Lord Bradbury, blast him. Tristan made a renewed effort to avoid the couple and focus on the ladies he presently slayed with his wit and charm, not to mention his dangerous good looks, of course.

After dinner, Tristan sauntered along the terrace to take in some air. Mr. Seton stood looking out over the gardens lit with Chinese lanterns. Tristan wandered over to him and offered the quiet man a smile. The cold air turned their breath to puffs of smoke.

Tristan tilted his head at Seton. “How are you enjoying London this Season?”

“Well enough.”

“Odd weather we’ve been having, eh?”

“Yes. Nice enough for our day at Vauxhall, though.” Seton took a pinch of snuff.

“Good thing my petition to the weather god wasn’t in vain.”

Mr. Seton gave a start. “What?”

“A poor jest. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.” Tristan clapped the diminutive man on the shoulder.

“I did. Thank you for including me.”

They made small talk over the next few minutes until the conversation turned to people they knew.

Tristan saw his chance. “Say, what do you know about Lord Bradbury?”

“Lord Bradbury? I admit I don’t know him well.”

“Can you tell me anything about him?”

Mr. Seton looked thoughtful. “He thinks before he speaks. He’s even tempered. Genuine.”

“The type the ladies would like.”

Seton nodded. “My sister admires him.”

“Any public affairs?”

“None that I know of. I see him at soirees or the opera on occasion, often with a different lady, and all of them respectable.”

“He never consorts with actresses or opera singers? No mistresses?”

“I haven’t heard that of him. Why?”

Tristan shrugged. “He seems to have taken an interest in my friend Leticia. I don’t want him to break her heart.”

“I noticed that. At Vauxhall.” He let out a sigh and stared down at his drink. “And tonight.”

Tristan winced. He’d forgotten Seton had feelings for Leticia or he wouldn’t have brought up the topic of Bradbury.

“Lord Bradbury isn’t the type to break hearts,” Seton added. “He is every bit as honorable as your brother; he’d never show interest in a lady and then walk away.” Seton sounded unhappy rather than admiring. He let out another sigh. “I suppose I never had a chance with her anyway.”

Tristan nudged him. “Come, let us get a drink. I’ll bet you a guinea Mr. Wynn loses at cards tonight.” He pointed his chin toward the game table visible through a window.

Seton shook his head, declining the bet. “Wynn always loses. You’d think he’d learn how to bluff.”

Tristan grinned and mulled over what Richard and Seton had said about Bradbury. They both seemed to think the young lord worthy of Leticia. From what Tristan observed of him while they were at Vauxhall, they were right. Bradbury had behaved with upmost propriety without a trace of rakishness or recklessness. He’d be a perfect husband for Leticia.