Page 35 of The Lady Who Said No to the Duke
‘Yes, Mama.’It seemed the only tactful thing to say.
* * *
‘You are dressed for riding,’ Lady Wiveton said disapprovingly as Thea came in to breakfast two days after Lady Beale’s recital.
‘I thought I would go into Hyde Park and take advantage of the sunshine after yesterday’s rain,’ Thea said as she lifted the cover from a chaffing dish on the sideboard, wrinkled her nose at the smell of smoked fish and moved on to the eggs.
‘Well, do make sure you take a groom.Remember we are not in the countryside here.’
There didn’t seem to be much to say about that, so Thea nodded and sat down as her mother returned to the pile of letters that Drage had set by her place.
She smiled her thanks to the footman who poured her coffee and was about to raise the first forkful of eggs to her mouth when her mother gave a faint shriek and waved a gold-edged card at her.
‘This is wonderful!He is holding a ball!’
‘Who is?’Thea asked, putting down her fork.
‘Leamington, of course.You must change as soon as you have finished your breakfast and we will go to Madame Lanchester.We will order a new ball gown immediately.’
‘When is the ball?’Thea asked, mentally passing in review the two, unworn, ball gowns that were hanging in her dressing room already.
‘In two weeks’ time.’
‘Then I cannot see the urgency, Mama.Do I even need a new gown?We could keep back the amber silk until then: I do think it is very fine.Besides, I have a slight headache, which I am certain a ride in the fresh air will cure.’
‘Very well,’ her mother said, regarding her beadily across the table.‘It is fatal to be frowning with a headache, which you are.The next thing we know, you will be developing dreadful lines between your eyebrows.Disastrous.’
Thea escaped after her second cup of coffee, wondering just why her mother was so very concerned about the Duke’s ball.Obviously, it would be a major society event, but the same people would be there as would be at any other ball.More of them, of course, because who was going to turn down an invitation to the Duke of Leamington’s first ball?
Everyone on Mama’s list of eligible gentlemen would be attending if they were in London, so perhaps that was what she was so concerned about—showing off Thea to as many of them as possible.
On the other hand, Thea had been out in society for one Season already, so many of those gentlemen would have had plenty of opportunity to become accustomed to her charms.
But not perhaps wearing in the amber silk dress with the gauze overskirt, she thought with an inner smile as she asked Drage to let Hoskins, her groom, know that she was ready.
Upstairs Jennie eased her into her tight jacket, pinned her dashing little tricorne with its veil and green feather securely and handed her gloves and whip.‘Have a pleasant ride, my lady.’
‘Thank you.I am sure I will,’ Thea said.
She was hoping to find the park relatively peaceful.The most dashing riders, male and female, would have beenout early, taking advantage of the hour to gallop in a park where even a restrained canter was often frowned upon.The fashionable crowd would be riding and driving in the afternoon, so that left the middle of the morning quieter.
Of course, there was the added hazard of nursemaids and their charges, often boisterously running about where one would least expect them, small boys chasing ducks and unruly dogs in pursuit of both, but go further away from the Queen’s Walk and the reservoir, and it should be quiet enough.
She ran downstairs, the long skirt of her habit caught up over her arm, and Drage opened the door to reveal Hoskins on his bay hack, holding the reins of Lara, Thea’s bay mare.
He swung down from the saddle and came to boost her up.‘Where to, my lady?’
‘Hyde Park, Hoskins.’
The air was fresh and damp, holding the promise of rain to come and, when they reached the park, the scent of the fallen leaves that covered the swathes of grass.
‘This will be the last fine day for a while, my lady, I reckon,’ the groom observed.
Thea noticed him scanning the park, watching for hazards, for loose dogs and dubious characters.It was part of his job to keep her safe and she appreciated his care, while chaffing at the lack of freedom.
But Hoskins knew her well and, as soon as he had decided that it was safe, he dropped back by several lengths and Thea rode on with at least the illusion of being alone.
Lara was fresh and eager to run, and Thea let her canter strongly, holding her back from a full-out gallop.
