Page 38 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
‘And you find Bellemonte challenging?’
He grinned and waved his arm. ‘Just look about you. The gardens are constantly changing with the seasons and the weather. I work with the gardeners to keep them looking their best throughout the year and with the wardens and the watchmen who keep out footpads, pickpockets and ladies with a more, er, unsavoury reputation. And then there is the hotel. It is proving so successful that I can now consider expanding on to the spare land behind it.’
‘And what of the pleasure baths?’ said Flora, glancing at the tall wall on the far side of the square. ‘Are they successful?’
‘Yes, they are. The swimming pool is popular with young gentleman.’
Flora sighed. ‘I have often thought that I should liketo be able to swim. Perhaps you should build a private pool for the ladies, too.’
‘Perhaps I shall, if you promise to come and use it.’
‘I cannot swim.’
‘No difficulty there,’ he murmured. ‘I could teach you.’
She quickly looked away from his smiling eyes. The idea brought images to her mind that made her blush, but it saddened her, too, knowing this would be her only visit to Bellemonte.
When they left the Pavilion, Flora took Matt’s arm as they walked to the hotel, revelling in the solid strength she could feel beneath the fine woollen sleeve. Being this close she could see that no padding was required to widen the shoulders of his coat and the flat plane of his stomach suggested he was no stranger to hard, physical exercise.
Unlike Quentin.
No. She would not compare the two men. Quentin had many good qualities. Only she could not bring them to mind just now.
Flora released Matt’s arm as they entered the hotel’s elegant lobby.
‘I am obliged to you, Mr Talacre, for giving up so much of your time.’
‘It was a pleasure, ma’am. I should like to ask you to dine with me, but I suspect you would say no.’
‘I should indeed. That would be most improper.’
‘And you will not come to the ball tonight?’
‘Completely out of the question.’ She ruined the effect of this firm response by adding, ‘Besides, I have not brought a ballgown.’
‘It is a masquerade. I could find you a mask and a domino and your gown would not be seen. In fact, no one need ever know you were at the ball.’
She shook her head. ‘Please, do not tempt me. You know I cannot.’
‘But you would like to.’
Flora hesitated. She could not lie. The thought of dancing with Matt Talacre in that lovely ballroom was almost irresistible.
‘Very much.’ She swallowed a sigh and squared her shoulders. ‘Thank you for a most enjoyable day, Mr Talacre.’
He took her outstretched hand and bowed over it.
‘I shall come to your room at ten o’clock, in case you change your mind. If not, ignore my knock. I promise you I will not persist.’
And with that he turned and walked away, leaving Flora to make her way upstairs to her bedchamber. She would not go, of course, even though she was flattered by Matt Talacre’s attentions. She had thoroughly enjoyed his company and her spirits were quite buoyed up by her outing, so much so that she was still smiling broadly when she found Betty waiting for her, a little pale but determined now to resume her duties.Even the maid’s irate greeting could not dent her good humour.
‘And where in the world have you been, miss?’
Flora laughed. ‘Goodness, Betty, you sound just like my old governess.’
‘Your aunt sent me along to look after you,’ Betty scolded her with all the authority of an old and trusted retainer. ‘Goodness knows what she would say if she knew you was going here there and everywhere alone!’
Not by the flutter of an eye did Flora correct her maid’s assumption.
