Page 47 of The Wedding Challenge

“Pacewell and Sackville. Good Gad, those two peacocks?” Bromwell rolled his eyes. “They are fools, but the ladies are unlikely to come to any harm with them. The important thing is to see you home, and after that I will return and find the others.”

Callie smiled. “Thank you.”

He allowed a smile finally and his hand came up to cup her cheek. “I am deeply sorry, Callie, that you have been subjected to this debacle.”

“It was not so bad,” she lied. Indeed, looking up into his eyes, she found the memory of her earlier anxiety fading rapidly.

“It is good of you to say so, but I know full well that this evening was not the kind of situation that you are accustomed to. I shall speak with my sister about it.”

“I do not wish to cause any hard feelings between you and Lady Swithington.”

“Do not worry.” He smiled again. “We shall not disown one another. But I fear that Daphne has been too long out of Society. She does not, perhaps, recall, how restrictive the rules are governing the behavior of a young unmarried lady. Nor is she accustomed to the sort of strong punch they serve here. She clearly was not thinking. Now, pull up the hood of your domino and we shall brave the mad throng outside.”

Matching his deeds to his words, he reached out and took the edges of her hood in his hands, gently pulling it up over her black curls. His hands lingered for a moment on the material as he gazed down into her face. Then, as if coming to himself, his hands dropped away and he turned, politely offering Callie his arm.

She laid her hand on his arm, and they left through the back door, walking around to the wide promenade in front of their ornately decorated box.

They paused, and Callie gazed around at the scene. Now that her anxiety was gone, she was able to enjoy the way the gardens looked, and she wished that Bromwell had been there the entire evening. Then she could have enjoyed everything without worrying. She turned toward him entreatingly.

“Could we not just walk around a bit before we go? I have seen very little of the gardens.”

He looked torn. “It is not the thing, your being without a chaperone.”

“But I am not in any danger,” Callie protested. “You are with me.”

“There are those who would say that I am the danger.”

She smiled. “But we both know that you are not.”

Only minutes before, she remembered, she had wondered painfully if Bromwell would have acted in the same manner as all the others. But as soon as he had arrived, she had known that it had been foolish to even consider such a possibility. She was not exactly sure what had happened here tonight, or why. Lady Swithington’s actions had been exceedingly odd—more than she was going to admit to the woman’s brother—and Callie could not escape the suspicion that the way events had unfolded had been somehow calculated by Lady Daphne, though she could not understand her reasons for it.

But whatever Lady Daphne had done, whether by accident or design, Callie was positive that Lord Bromwell had had nothing to do with it. She was also sure that had he been there throughout the whole evening, he would not have permitted things to get out of hand. The astonishment, even anger, on his face had told her everything she needed to know.

He smiled back at her, his expression softening. “All right. We shall walk around a bit. It is time for the fireworks, and it would be too bad to miss that.”

Callie agreed, and they set off along the promenade. Bromwell left the main path, choosing one of the walkways branching off through the trees. Lanterns hung along the paths, illuminating them with a soft glow, and were scattered throughout the trees beyond, twinkling like little stars through the branches. Now and then they came upon a “ruin,” artistically lighted, or a sparkling fountain.

There was a pop, and they stopped and looked up to see the first of the fireworks splash across the sky. The fireworks continued, a dazzling display of colors. They strolled on, stopping now and then to admire a particularly glorious burst of light.

As they walked, the paths grew narrower and more empty of people, until they were by themselves. In the distance, Callie heard a female giggle, followed by the sound of running feet. After that, they were left alone in silence.

They reached a stone bench, set beside a small pond, and they sat down to watch the spectacular end of the fireworks. Then, finally, the display was done, leaving only silence and the acrid scent of gunpowder lingering in the air.

“It was lovely,” Callie told Bromwell. “Thank you for staying.”

“I am only sorry that the remainder of your evening was spoiled,” he replied, smiling at her.

She shook her head. “It does not matter.”

He reached out and stroked his forefinger down her cheek. “You are so beautiful. I wish…”

“You wish what?” Callie asked when he did not continue.

Bromwell shook his head. “I’m not sure. Only that things were different.”

Callie frowned a little. “What things? What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Do not listen to me. I fear I am in a mood tonight.” He stood up, going over to the edge of the pond.