Page 31 of For The Love Of A Widow

Daniel only knew the trio of men in passing, but they normally stayed close, presumably because their wives were friends. “No, no,” Daniel said with a pretentious chuckle. “I would not think of leaving the delights of London, especially during the Season.”

The men shared a knowing look. What they thought they knew wasn’t apparent to Daniel.

“Now that Lady Lettie is back in London, we hope to see you more frequency.” It was Buttomcoup who spoke, petting his rounded paunch as he did. He appeared a caricature from that tawdry gossip rag the Duchess of Essex always kept lying around.

Exactly how frequently they expected to see him was uncertain; however, since he’d only spoken with the man on two occasions—that he could recall—he wasn’t worried about them demanding much of his time.

“Certainly.” He tilted his head in Lettie’s direction. “If you will excuse me, I must bring my lady her sherry.”

“Of course, of course.” Alsoup waved him off.

“We all know how women get if their drink is not brought with all due haste,” Haunton chimed in.

“Would be awful to irk Lady Lettie so soon,” Buttomcoup jested.

The three men found their comments highly amusing as they all chortled in unison.

It seemed a gaggle of men was just as daunting and annoying as a flock of women.

He wondered if they’d be surprised or impressed to know he’d already angered her.

With a conspiratorial grin for the men, he moved back toward Lettie. Her hands were clutched in her lap, knuckles white from wringing her kerchief. It seemed the other women were oblivious to her discomfort, none of the three noticing her unease.

“Lettie,” Lady Buttomcoup gushed. “You certainly must speak with your parents and request to journey with us to Bath. We make the trip every year. The children love the hot baths. And, of course, we enjoy several weeks together.”

The trio nodded in unison, as their husbands had, appearing much like a group of bobbing pigeons walking through Hyde Park looking for food scraps.

Lettie blanched at the mention of children.

“Not that you don’t already know the excitement of traveling,” Lady Haunton exclaimed, reaching out to touch Lettie’s clenched hands. “Your mother tells us you and your late husband journeyed extensively during your marriage.”

“Ummm…” Lettie allowed a hint of a smile at the mention of Gregory. “Yes, though I would not say it was exciting in any way. We traveled with a large group of soldiers.”

“And France?” Lady Alsoup gushed loudly enough for her husband to hear. “I have wanted to visit Paris for some time.”

“Devine,” Lord Alsoup called from the sideboard. “As soon as the children are old enough for that kind of journey, we will go.”

“You truly must instruct me on all the finest places to visit when there,” the lady pouted. “Though it may be years before Lord Alsoup will take me.”

“I fear I will be of little assistance, Devine,” Lettie sighed. “My travels were not for pleasure. It was my duty to cook, mend clothing, and tend to the wounded. Now, if one of the children falls and injures their arm, I can set and bind a broken limb as well as any doctor.”

It was Lettie’s attempt at setting the women straight, but also joking so no one took offense.

All three women paused long enough to gauge if Lettie jested or not.

When a hesitant laugh broke the silence, Daniel supposed they truly believed her journey with the British soldiers to fight off Napoleon’s troops was nothing more than a jaunt to the wilds of Northumberland.

Lettie’s shoulders tensed as the women continued to cackle.

Daniel watched as she glanced at the door—her only escape. She was close to fleeing. He could see it in the way her shoulders had gone from tense to caving in on her.

“Just wait until word spreads that you are back in London—and ready to make a perfect match!” Lady Alsoup clapped with eagerness. “It will be as grand as our first Season.”

Grand as their first Season? Daniel had barely made it through Lettie’s debut Season. She’d been chased by every available lord, and many who weren’t. He’d been made to stay in the shadows as she took her place in the spotlight, but at the end of each night, she’d left on his arm.

Would things be different if she re-entered society?

Thankfully, the butler stepped back into the room at that moment. “Dinner will be served now. Lord and Lady Percival will meet you all in the dining hall. This way, please.”