Page 107 of The Duke and Lady Scandal
Ben wanted to kiss her. He’d never wanted anything more. But the night wasn’t over yet.
“There will be a great deal to do over the next few days.”
“I understand.” She watched as the police wagon pulled out of the square and headed toward Scotland Yard. “Will you come and see me when it’s all done? If only to visit?”
“I will. I promise I will.” Hope kindled inside him. Just an ember, but he wanted to stoke it.
“That’s enough, then,” she said with quiet resolve.
But Ben still believed she deserved so much more.
Chapter Twenty-Two
One week later
The fourth Saturday of the month dawned bright, with blue skies and just the right nip of autumn chill in the air. Trees still held on to some color, but gold and red and orange decorated the ground too and crunched delightfully under the wheels of Allie’s bicycle as she rode to Hyde Park.
In her wicker basket, she carried a flannel-covered jug of Hawlston’s coffee, and she knew Jo would have come in the family carriage with her bicycle lashed to the back so that she could bring a picnic basket full of warm hand pies and a jug of tea for those who preferred it.
Jo waved in welcome as she rode up, and most of the rest of their bicycle club was already present. Most had leaned their bicycles against trees while they sipped steaming cups of tea.
“Thank goodness,” Agnes Russell called. “She’s finally here with the coffee.”
“We are pleased to see you too, Allie. Coffee or no coffee,” Marion Russell retorted. She was ever the sweet counterpart to her rather acerbic cousin.
Though Allie enjoyed both ladies because they were both passionate about bicycling.
October was sometimes their last group ride of the season, since the weather could take a turn by the end of November, so all of them were in high spirits with such fair weather for a day out of doors.
“We still need to have our meeting about the charity dinner,” Jo said when she approached to hand Allie a cup from those she’d brought.
“We do. Our first try got a bit... derailed.”
Jo leaned in. “Never mind about that. We have time.”
Allie didn’t like thinking about that day because the feelings all rushed back. Jo seemed to understand that and did her best to avoid the topic or any mention of Benedict Drake.
Once everyone had a refill of tea or a fresh cup of coffee, Agnes offered up their usual toast.
“To sisterhood, to mobility, to independence.”
Everyone raised their drink to their club’s motto.
Together, the group of seven ladies laughed and chatted and caught up as they hadn’t done since their last meeting in September. Once the jugs of warm refreshment were empty, the Wellingdons’ footman collected all the cups, and everyone began bundling up to prepare for their ride.
From Hyde Park, they usually wound down toward the Natural History Museum and around Chelsea, then up through Kensington and back into the park. Occasionally, they went east toward Mayfair and would also pass by Princes if the area wasn’t too crowded with shoppers.
“I think we’ll take our southerly route today,” Jo announced. “Oh goodness. Shelton, I almost forgot the books.”
The footman hadn’t forgotten, apparently; he stood nearby with a box teeming with the American bicycling book she’d shown to Allie.
“Before we head off, I’d like to gift each of you a copy of this book I thought perhaps we could read as a group over the winter months.”
“Always trying to turn us into a book club, Lady Jo,” Agnes put in archly.
“You’ve found me out, Agnes.” Jo winked at her. “I’m a wily book club mastermind.”
After the books had been distributed, each lady took a moment to flip through theirs. Then most placed it in the basket or saddle bags attached to their bicycle.
