Page 21 of The Lyon’s Paw

It was on the tip of Geoffrey’s tongue to retort that they were married so why would it not be proper, but caution stilled his harsh words. He didn’t wish to ruffle his wife’s feathers when he was so close to smoothing them down. “It would certainly be proper in the eyes of the ton, of course, my dear, but I take your meaning.” He paused, but the answer rose to his mind with the ease of a fish to a fly. “Why don’t we take Joanna with us? She will enjoy shopping with someone her own age, and she can introduce you to her modiste,” he paused, hoping he hadn’t made another faux pas. Ladies set store by their modistes to judge from his mother and sister. “Unless you already give your custom to a particular seamstress?”

“Oh, no, not really.” The pink in her cheeks deepened. “Not one who would know what gowns I need now.” She took a sip of wine and turned back to him. |I would be happy to have Joanna’s company. However,” she hesitated, almost as if afraid to continue her thought, “will she be enough of a chaperone for us?”

At last it occurred to him, as it probably should have before this, that Lady Longford still thought of herself as Miss Edgerton, not as a married woman for whom it would be perfectly fine to spend the night with her husband. He bit back a smile and without missing a beat said, “Then invite your aunt to stay at Longford House with us. It will be quite a gay party, don’t you think?”

“Oh, I would like that quite a lot, my lord.” Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight, reminding him that she was an extremely attractive woman.

“Then it is settled. I will ask Joanna as soon as she returns and will send off a note to Vickers to make ready for our party day after tomorrow.”

Geoffrey raised his glass in a salute to her. “To a fruitful and merry party, my dear.”

She raised her glass and drank, then gave him a dazzling smile. “Thank you for your kindness, my lord.”

“Think nothing of it, my dear.” Geoffrey relaxed for the first time today. He wasn’t usually an optimist where such things were concerned, but something about the look of happiness on his wife’s face gave him hope that things would come right and he would be able to navigate between Scylla and Charybdis without getting ground to pulp in the process.

Chapter Nine

Two days later, just after noon, Diana found herself on Fleet Street in London along with Joanna and Aunt Frances, bidding farewell to Lord Longford, who had left the carriage at their disposal after accompanying them to one of the best shopping areas in the city. Joanna had recommended Mrs. George as a modiste and Aunt Frances, who kept up with that sort of thing, concurred that the lady was one of the most fashionable seamstresses in Town. Now her husband was relinquishing them to a day of shopping for fabrics, gloves, hats, handkerchiefs, and stockings, as well as shoes and half boots. “I don’t know how we will find everything in one day, my lord.”

Her husband chuckled. “There is no need to rush, my dear. We can take as long as you like to choose everything to your satisfaction. We have no need to rush back to Longford. Unless your aunt has a pressing need to return home, we can stay for a week or two if you wish.”

Diana all but gaped at this jovial Lord Longford. He reminded her so much of the gentleman who had asked to meet her so he could ask for a dance. Had something changed in him? Had something changed in her to notice? “Let us see what we can accomplish today. We can leave tomorrow for tomorrow.”

“As you will, my dear.” He squeezed her hand before letting it go, sending a frisson of excitement down her spine. “Ladies, I will see you at Longford House in good time for dinner.” With a jaunty little wave, he crossed the street and headed down the way, soon becoming lost to sight.

Diana surreptitiously pinched herself to make certain she wasn’t dreaming. Her dreams last night, after a lively dinner with their little party, had been more than a little disturbing. She’d awakened from a dream of Lord Longford kissing her near the pond in Hyde Park. Jerking herself upright, she’d almost fallen out of bed. The kiss had been so real, she’d touched her lips to assure herself there was no lingering sensation. And now Lord Longford was being so amiable toward her, she wondered if he was thinking about actually kissing her. Of course, he couldn’t know what she’d dreamed, but perhaps he’d been thinking of it on his own. Why else was he being so agreeable to her? Had he been able to put the memory of that harrowing day at the pond behind him? Had she?

“Diana, we must go.” Aunt Frances tugged on her arm, casting a glance back over her shoulder. “We are beginning to attract the notice of that gentleman there.”

Startled, Diana turned to look and saw the man her aunt must be referring to, although she wasn’t certain the word “gentleman” was the correct description for him. His clothing was impeccable, enough to make Beau Brummel envious. However, something in his manner made her think he didn’t belong in such well-cut clothing. His brows were dark and heavy, his skin swarthy as well. He wasn’t as tall as Lord Longford, however something menacing in his manner commanded respect.

He stood across the street, consulting his pocket watch, then looking up and down the street, as though he was waiting for someone. At one point, his gaze struck Diana and their little party, and she shivered as though a cold wind had blown down the street. She recognized that face.

The gentleman’s eyes seemed to ravish her with that one look, but it didn’t linger on them, no more than a moment to register they were ladies of quality, perhaps. Then he continued his search for someone or something along the street.

Diana tugged at her aunt’s arm. “Aunt Frances! Isn’t that Mr. Dandridge that you warned me about last summer?”

Her aunt peered across the street. “I can’t be sure, my dear. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. But if it is, we must certainly go inside. We do not wish to attract the attention of the likes of him.”

Suddenly, the gentleman set off down the pavement, hurrying with long strides that carried him away from them in short order. Diana shivered, shaking her shoulders as if trying to wrench his gaze from her.

“Do let’s go now, Diana.” Aunt Frances took her arm. “What a frightful man! Lady Joanna, did you see him?”

“No, Mrs. Beaumont,” Joanna turned from the window of the modiste’s establishment that held all manner of fabrics and trims, smiling at them. “I was trying to decide which of these blues would become Diana best. Do you think the muslin that catches the light just right, or does the lutestring’s deeper color match her eyes better?”

“Oh, the deeper one for certain, I think.” Aunt Frances leaned closer, over Joanna’s shoulder. “That is a lovely color and just the thing for an evening gown.”

“Come along, aunt.” Diana tried to shepherd the two of them into the modiste’s shop. “Let’s go in and actually examine the fabrics. I fear we will have an entire afternoon of choices to make.” She opened the door and Aunt Frances eagerly entered, followed by Joanna. Diana didn’t wish for any more distractions this morning. She had a lot of gowns to order and having odd thoughts about her husband compounded by an eerie feeling about the stranger outside had her keyed up.

The three of them crowded around the counter as a pert brunette came from the back of the shop, stopped and dropped a curtsey. “Lady Joanna, so good to see you again. Are you here to order another gown for the Christmas season?”

“Good morning, Joan. How are you?” Joanna smiled warmly at the younger girl.

“Very well, my lady, thank you.”

“You seem to have gotten over your cough. You must continue to dress warmly and rest as much as you can.” Joanna turned to Diana and her aunt. “Poor Joan had a terrible cough the last time I came in. I had Geoffrey send around some of the elixir we use whenever we have a chest cold.” She turned and beamed at the clerk. “It seems to have worked wonders.”

“You were too kind to send it, my lady.” Joan ducked her head and looked uncomfortable. “Can I help you, my lady? Or should I get Mrs. George?”