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“Indeed,” the earl agreed. He glanced at the clock behind the desk. “And now, with the party’s commencement almost upon us, I imagine you wish to escape this study and see to your preparations.”

She managed a stiff smile. Oh, that donning a new gown and crimping her hair would somehow make her ready for what lay ahead. “Yes, my lord. Lady Langton is likely wondering what has become of me.”

“Until the party then, Miss Doyle.” The earl gave a slight bow.

With a reassuring smile, Lord Langton inclined his head, and Elizabeth was dismissed.

Chapter 21

Jonas stood beneath the shade of a large birch tree and watched the Duke and Duchess of Kelbrook walk amongst the many guests wandering the garden, welcoming each in turn. His sister looked resplendent in a gold silk gown with six-inch-wide lace at her sleeves and an elegant hat complete with ostrich feathers atop her powdered hair. The duke, looking every bit the part, wore a coat of matching gold. Like every other gentleman in attendance, he had donned a white wig and was currently speaking with the Earl of Bloxley, who had exchanged his traveling clothes for a pale-blue coat and matching vest.

Servants wandered about, a variety of drinks and dainty treats on their trays for the guests. Many of the more senior noblewomen had already claimed their seats beneath the canopy and were catching up on the latest gossip. Couples walked along the garden paths, admiring the statues and blooming roses as they passed. Music floated over the garden from the pavilion, providing a soft backdrop to the hum of conversation.

Scouring the guests once more, he finally spotted Baron Forwood making his way down the stairs with his young wife on his arm. As the baron moved from the stone balcony onto the open grassy area, Jonas saw Alexander excuse himself from the duke and start toward him. Leaving Forwood to Alexander for the time being, Jonas glanced once more at the open french doors. His mother and Miss Doyle had yet to appear, and although he knew they still had ample time to eavesdrop on Forwood and Hargrove, he was fighting the urge to seek them out.

With a rustle of silk skirts, Rosalind appeared at his side. “It’s going rather well, don’t you think?” she said.

“You’ve done a magnificent job, Roz,” Jonas said. “You even forced the weather into submission.”

She laughed. “Ah, yes, my finest accomplishment.”

“Have you seen Mother or Miss Doyle yet?” he asked. “Bloxley has already begun his investigative work.”

Rosalind pointed to the stairs. “Here they are now.”

Jonas looked in that direction. His mother was descending the stairs, wearing a floral print gown. Her hair was teased to double its normal size and fluffed out beneath a hat decorated with white roses around its wide brim. She was elegance personified. Miss Doyle’s gown was lilac in color and shimmered with threads of silver. Lace lined her neckline, sleeves, and bodice. Her hair was dusted with white powder and fell in ringlets beneath a hat trimmed with lilac ribbon. She was simply stunning, and Jonas found that he could not look away.

“Mother’s failing eyesight will make it difficult for her to spot the gentlemen we are after,” Rosalind said. “I shall join them and point out Baron Forwood and Lord Hargrove to Miss Doyle.”

Jonas shook his head. “I will go. See if you can find Hargrove. It will be easier for Miss Doyle to distinguish between all these white-wigged men if she sees him speaking with you. I will direct her attention to Forwood while he’s with Bloxley.”

To his relief, Rosalind did not argue. She set off toward the pavilion, where Lord Hargrove and his wife were listening to the two violinists, the cellist, and the violist play an intricate quartet. Jonas went the opposite way.

Greeting the acquaintances he passed with a brief word or a nod, he walked across the lawn, hoping to reach the women before his mother was drawn into conversation with anyone else. He saw Miss Doyle scan the crowded garden, obviously trying to locate a familiar face. From beneath the canopy, Lady Bentley called a greeting to his mother, and Jonas picked up his pace. Ever polite, his mother would likely feel obligated to exchange a few words with the older woman. But Lady Bentley was known as much for her prattling as she was for her meddling, and neither his mother nor Miss Doyle had time for either one.

He was within a few feet of them, but they had not yet seen him. “Good afternoon, ladies,” Jonas said.

When they turned to face him, he saw the surprise in Miss Doyle’s eyes and realized it was the first time she’d seen him dressed this way. Somewhat self-consciously, he glanced at his aquamarine coat and vest, noting the lace visible at his sleeves and hoping his cravat remained as well tied as it had been when Hancock had completed the task.

“Ah, Jonas.” His mother smiled. “I’m glad you found us. I had not anticipated such a crowd.”

“Indeed.” He took his mother’s arm, purposefully guiding her away from Lady Bentley and toward Forwood. “The garden party looks to be quite a success already.” He looked at them, his gaze inevitably landing on Miss Doyle. “You both look splendid.” He saw a hint of pink rush to her cheeks and smiled. It was becoming easier to see her blush now that her bruises had all but disappeared, and he found it rather fetching.

“Thank you, my lord,” she said, lowering her eyes.

They had reached the path that led to the pond. Several couples were approaching, and Jonas lowered his voice. “Miss Doyle, if you will look to your left, you will see the Earl of Bloxley in conversation with a man wearing a rather lavishly decorated cream-colored coat.”

“I see him,” Miss Doyle said.

“That is Lord Forwood,” he said. “His wife, Lady Forwood, was with him earlier but seems to have abandoned him for the women gathered near the willow tree. She is dressed in a plum-colored gown.”

Miss Doyle nodded, her bright eyes taking in each scene.

“Over by the pavilion,” Jonas continued, “there is a couple talking to the Duchess of Kelbrook.”

“He is wearing green, and she is wearing pink,” she said.

“Precisely. That is Lord Hargrove and his wife.”