Page 9 of The Lady
“I am pleased you have dismissed such young women, given I am now six and thirty, I would think an older woman would be better suited to me.” He had no thought of marrying some youthful chit—that would never suit him. No, he needed someone who was practical, sensible… perhaps a widow, although young enough to have a child or two. The women amongst thebeau mondehe had met did not fill him with much enthusiasm.
“I was thinking on the matter, and I believe we should consider the merits of a companion. After all, my sister-in-law’s mother was one, and the position is a precarious one. Therefore, such a woman might wish to find the security of a match.”
“This might indeed work. Have you a candidate in mind?” If Lady Flora had an employee, a woman ready and waiting in the carriage outside, how would he feel? A start of surprised fear suddenly consumed Philip—it had been so hypothetical so far, and now could Lady Flora actually be planning to spring a bride on him.
“Your face, sir, has taken on a greenish turn.”
“I fear you have a candidate at the ready.”
“I thought the suggestion you were so willing to marry was a false one. I have no desire to waste a woman’s time. Far too many men are like you, leading a woman on, only to disappoint her. Why—” Lady Flora was on her feet, and Philip launched himself out of his chair, ready to stop her in her tracks, his hand reaching out to touch her elbow. The pleasure of touching her confounded him, and he immediately dropped his fingers away from her.
“You misunderstand me, I merely…” He tried his best to find the right words as Lady Flora watched him with narrowed eyes.“It is a very warm day for tea, would you care to discuss my matrimonial prospects at a more suitable location?”
A perplexed look came over Lady Flora’s face. “Where were you thinking?”
“Gunter’s, my lady. You did suggest it last time we met.”
After a moment, she nodded, and within the next thirty minutes, the two of them were sat at a white clothed table, enjoying the most delicious lemon ices in London, the chilled desert providing the counterbalance to the seriousness of the topic. On the journey, there had been some general talk, but Lady Flora had been polite enough not to focus on his earlier scare.
“It is far quieter than I am used to,” Lady Flora said as she ladled another spoonful of sorbet into her mouth with the enthusiasm he would normally have seen in a child.
“All of thetonhave gone, leaving just the rest of London.”
She giggled at this and lowered her spoon. “How refreshing.”
“The ice or the lack of proper company?”
“Why not both?”
“Is my lady wishing herself divorced from the company she normally keeps?”
“No…” Lady Flora seemed to dwell on this as she passed the spoon from one hand to the next, thoughtfully. “Merely that there is a little freedom not to be awaiting the crushing judgment of an Almack’s patron or a countess on every passing corner.”
“You certainly would not be allowed to be seen with the likes of me.”
“No, you are right.”
The next words slipped from his mouth, spurred on by a daring that was so unlike him. “Would you like to shock them all the more?”
Lady Flora raised her eyes to his and did not break eye contact, awareness bright within her gaze. Slowly and with a care that surprised him, she said, “What did you have in mind?”
What was his implication? He had spent the whole of the morning with her. He had entirely forgotten his mother’s letter, the normal humdrum of his patients’ notes out of mind, even the anxiety that he might be entirely incapable of finding solace in this world had been buried—banished by the sheer joy he took in her company. He realised with a sinking feeling that he was attracted to Flora, the very woman he had asked for help finding a bride. Truthfully, he had been in denial about this attraction for far too long.
CHAPTER 5
Flora dressed herself with deliberate care. It was strange to be alone, unsupervised in the midst of London, without the presence of her brother, his family, or most of thetonin attendance. There was a certain wondrous freedom to staying in Town, which she was most definitely revelling in now.
Her brother and his family had gone north to visit kin near Scotland. Flora had been invited, but as a woman nearing her twentieth-eight year, the duke felt she could make her own choices. It was pleasing to make these decisions. As a grown up. Which did not explain her rather rash and impulsive decision to tell Philip that they should go to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
That was their destination tonight. Flora found it rather exciting.
Her dress was summer-like, a pleasing rose-coloured watered silk, as befitted the late June date. Its small, puffed sleeves and bodice were delicate and feminine, and the gloves she donned were elegant and cream coloured. However, she had chosen a thick red cloak to hide her figure as well as a domino mask to conceal her name.
When she slipped down the stairs and out to Caton’s waiting carriage, she was thrilled to see his matching mask.
“Doctor,” she said as she climbed inside.
Beneath the domino, she saw his eyes widen and was gratified to see his handsome garb. A grey suit of clothes with a simple cravat that suited his dark blond hair and handsome face. Flora’s heart gave a distinctive flutter.
