Page 34 of The Marquess’s Forbidden Bride

No more secret, stolen kisses?

Everything within revolted. ‘I think I’d rather not attend balls and routs at all, if that is the only interaction we’ll be permitted.’

‘It would be…aggravating, wouldn’t it?’

‘I’d rather say “intolerable”,’ he muttered.

She stopped then, looking up, her expression lightening. ‘Perhaps it would be better to simply avoid attending the same engagements. We could meet…elsewhere. Riding here, perhaps. Compare invitations to make sure we are not present at the same large balls or rout parties. Perhaps arrange to meet only at dinner parties or smaller entertainments at which none of your Stratton relations will be present.’

He felt a surge of renewed hope at the prospect of continuing their close association, if only in other venues. ‘If that would make you feel more comfortable, I’m willing to forego dancing with you at balls—for the moment. I’d certainly enjoy riding more often. Ah, how eager I am for my friends to arrive in town! Not just for their company. Once I acquaint them with the situation, I know Hart’s and Rafe’s ladies will invite you and the Englemeres to dinners and to other smaller gatherings in between the larger events they must host.’

Her brightened smile showed her own enthusiasm at the possibilities. ‘And Sarah can invite you to her smaller gatherings. With any luck, I can persuade her I don’t need to attend larger parties at all. I might be able to avoid Aldersby altogether! A prospect well worth celebrating. In any event, shall we arrange our schedules to avoid attending the same large social gatherings and plan to meet at smaller, more congenial entertainments?’

‘If you insist,’ Charles agreed, relieved that they’d discovered a way to continue their association while sparing her the distress of encountering any further unpleasantness from the Strattons.

Her grin turning sultry, she murmured, ‘Alas, my groom trails us much too closely and there is a regrettable lack of leafy glades into which we might slip. I should like to seal this bargain as we have our others, but prudence dictates I restrain myself to a handshake. For now, anyway.’

He felt the familiar upswell of desire as he recalled kissing her, her slender body pressed close to his. ‘I’ll hold you to that promise…when circumstances allow. So, a handshake.’

Smiling, she accepted his outstretched hand and gave it a vigorous shake. ‘Now that’s settled, shall we return to the horses?’

Nodding, he’d just placed her hand back on his arm when he turned to find a party of dandies strolling rather drunkenly in their direction. The first man stopped abruptly, which made the second gentleman almost stumble over him. ‘Say, that’s the new marquess chap, isn’t it?’ they heard the first man ask.

The second man peered over at them. ‘B’gad, so it is. Walking with that Wellingford chit.’ His slightly unfocused eyes widened. ‘Centre of quite a dust-up at the Croxton ball t’other night!’

‘And here, together again, so soon after?’ the first man said.

‘Must pay our respects,’ the second said, nudging his fellow to continue walking toward them.

For an instant, Charles considered hastening away, so they might remount and ride off without speaking to the men. But trying to avoid them would probably arouse more comment than greeting them cordially, as if riding together in the park was nothing out of the ordinary. By her sharp intake of breath and the hand tightening on his arm, he deduced that Miss Wellingford had reached the same conclusion.

Accordingly, they waited until the newcomers halted before them.

‘Miss Wellingford, is it not?’ the first gentleman said, bowing. ‘Loxley here. You’ll remember me from the Holton ball?’

‘Of course, Mr Loxley. A good morning to you and your friends.’

‘May I present Lord Kennington and Mr Franklin Cadley,’ Loxley said.

As politeness dictated, Miss Wellingford said, ‘You must allow me to present you to my escort. Lord Richland, Mr Loxley, Lord Kennington and Mr Cadley.’

‘Charmed,’ the men chorused.

‘We must return to our horses. My groom will have them cooled down by now and we should not leave them standing. Good to meet you, gentlemen.’

Loxley nodded. ‘Best be on your way. Here to finish a wager.’ Cadley, who seemed the most inebriated of the three, sniggered.

‘I bet Loxley here that Cadley’d not have the nerve to jump into the Serpentine in full evening wear,’ Kennington explained.

‘Once drenched, he might need to strip off his garments. Not a sight for a lady,’ Loxley interposed.

‘Indeed not,’ Charles said drily. ‘I will escort Miss Wellingford away immediately. Good day, sirs. I hope you win your bet, Lord Kennington.’

As they walked away unhurriedly, he murmured, ‘I think that went off well enough—’ then broke off when he noted her frowning. ‘What is it?’

‘The worst luck!’ she exclaimed with quiet vehemence. ‘Loxley is one of the biggest gossips in the ton. He obviously witnessed—or heard about—the scene at the Croxton ball. Seeing us together so soon after, in the early morning, alone but for the groom…’ She gave a huff of annoyance. ‘One could hope he is still drunk enough not to remember, but I’m not counting on it. If he talks about the meeting—with the sort of sly innuendo for which he is famous—it’s going to create just the sort of speculation about your intentions towards me we wanted to avoid! To say nothing of refuelling your half-sister’s anger, as it will look like you deliberately flouted the terms of your fragile accord. A good thing we’ve decided not to meet at balls! If we are not seen together by Society for a while, the talk will settle down…eventually.’

His annoyance exceeding hers, Charles determined to resolve the situation with his stepsister as soon as she would allow him. ‘I suppose I’m going to have to accustom myself to having my every action watched and scrutinised.’