Page 50 of Sinful Persuasion of a Lady in the Making
Chapter Nineteen
Sebastian straightened his tailcoat and took a few deep, preparatory breaths before he knocked on the door of Jenny’s home. It was just before two o’clock, and his carriage was laden with the picnic things. He was undeniably nervous, although he didn’t quite know why.
Thanks to his nerves, he had paid special attention to his appearance, having spent years neglecting it. He had instructed his valet to give him a closer shave than normal, having washed and coiffed his hair and trimmed his sideburns. He selected the nicest coat he owned—a summer cut tailcoat in off-white—and his favorite top hat.
And I still feel nervous!
After a final deep breath, he knocked the door, his knuckles rapping loudly. It was opened instantly, and Sebastian almost laughed. It seemed she had been waiting behind the door for him to arrive and, judging from the bouncy energy and the wide smile, that is exactly what had happened.
“Good afternoon, My Lord,” she said brightly.
“Good afternoon,” he said, his voice soft as he took in her beauty, once again awed by her, as he was every time he saw her. His memory of her, in between their meetings, never did her justice.
She looked him up and down, open mouthed.
“Goodness me, My Lord,” she said, a hand to her chest and her reticule dangling from her wrist. “Don’t you look handsome when you make a little effort?”
His heart leaped. She had noticed! That made it all worth it, that and the deep and sheer attraction that shone from her eyes.
“Why thank you, kind lady,” he said, taking a bow. “And might I say, you look very pretty indeed.”
Jenny looked down at herself, at her dusky-pink cotton gown with the empire-waist skirt and the high bodice. The sleeves were short but puffed and hung loosely around her arms was a shawl in a matching color but a delicate lace. Her bonnet, made of straw, had been decorated with a pink-silk ribbon that tied below her chin, and twists of her hair had been pinned so that they peeked out from under the brim.
“Thank you,” she said, looking back up at him with a grin. “I have to confess, this is my favorite summer gown.”
“And I can see why,” he said. “It looks beautiful on you. Are you ready to leave?”
Jenny glanced over her shoulder to where Fanny waited, her own bonnet cotton and unadorned. Fanny nodded, and from behind Fanny Alison nodded too, although far more eagerly. Jenny turned back to Sebastian.
“Yes,” she said, “I’m ready.”
“Then follow me,” he boomed like a performer, swinging around to face the street. “The carriage awaits!”
With a giggle, Jenny scampered down the steps, followed by a more solemn Fanny.
The carriage was just out of sight of the house, and as Sebastian arrived at it, he spun around again to check that Jenny was behind him. He felt oddly relieved that she was still there, even though he had not really expected anything else, and he almost laughed at himself.
Lovesick fool!
Jenny greeted the coachman warmly, along with the maid who sat up front with him, almost as though they were equals. It made Sebastian smile, seeing her so kind and friendly with even the servants, and it reminded him of how different she was.
“So where are we going?” she asked once they had settled onto the plush benches in the coach.
“I know this delightful little park,” Sebastian replied. “It’s beautiful as this time of year, and yet it is not well known, meaning it is never very busy. It will give us some time to talk and get to know each other.”
“That sounds perfect,” Jenny said, and he could tell from the glint in her eye that she meant it.
Once they arrived at the park, they found the perfect spot. It was on the soft, dry grass but beneath the shade of a giant oak tree, the sun glittering and flickering between the leaves, the shadow making the light look like diamonds scattered over the ground.
Sebastian shook out a picnic blanket it and laid it over the ground, as the maid—with the help of the coachman and Fanny—brought the rest of the picnic things over and began to set up their lunchtime feast.
Jenny didn’t sit down, as he had been expecting her to. Instead, she helped the maids lay out the food: the cold cuts and cheese, the fresh fruit, the pastries, too.
He watched her with fascination, a warm feeling enveloping him.
“Jenny,” he called softly, “sit down. That’s the maids’ job.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder and flashed him a grin, but she didn’t stop. It made his heart flutter. When they finally finished, the two maids made their way over to a nearby bench, and Jenny settled herself on the blanket next to Sebastian. He still stared at her in amazement, at this beautiful, honorable woman, and he saw her cheeks flush.
