Lord Billington helped both women into the carriage. Martha couldn’t help noticing that Lily behaved as though the viscount was diseased, and she was disappointed in her maid. She shot her a meaningful look, but Lily looked determined in her feelings. Martha supposed she couldn’t fault her. Still, she hoped that Lily wouldn’t be the reason why Lord Billington learned that something was amiss.
“It certainly is a beautiful day,” the viscount said, glancing out the window before giving Martha another sweet smile. “Appears to be just perfect for a picnic in Hyde Park.”
Martha nodded, trying her best to not appear nervous or eager.
“It sure is,” she said. “Not a single rain cloud in the sky. And the breeze is just perfect.”
The viscount nodded, smiling at her once again.
“Neil and Rachel sure know how to plan their picnics,” he said.
Martha nodded again.
“I can hardly wait,” she said, unsure whether she was telling the truth. “I’m sure it will be wonderful.”
Martha couldn’t tell if she was being as nonchalant and normal as possible, as she could only envision how she was trying to sound. However, all throughout their exchange of pleasantries, the viscount didn’t let on that he knew anything about the gossip. She once more considered telling him, as she had no way of knowing who knew, and what they might say to him. But in the end, she decided against it. She could always explain to him why she hadn’t spoken up sooner, if he found out some other way. What she couldn’t do was ruin his day if he didn’t know.
Chapter Twenty-two
Albert looked between Miss Elwood and her lady’s maid. The maid refused to even look like he existed. Miss Elwood, on the other hand, was every bit as pleasant and sweet as she always was. He didn’t notice any particular tension in her body, and she was smiling at him like she always did. In fact, he thought she was smiling a lot more. But he didn’t have room in his mind to ponder that idea.
Rather, all he could think about as the carriage traveled along was whether she had read, or heard about, that morning’s scandal sheets. He thought that, by her demeanor, she couldn’t possibly have. There was no lady in the entirety of the ton who could behave so normally, especially around him, after reading such ludicrous and hateful nonsense. Even his own Cordelia had left him, long before the rumors had started.
But then, even worse thoughts started taking root. What would happen when she did see the rumors? There was no doubt that she would, even if only because someone mentioned them to her. And Albert suspected, nay feared, that it would be a snide remark at a tea party or ladies’ luncheon, rather than a direct conversation with someone who cared about her. He couldn’t help thinking about how she would feel about that.
Would she still want to be seen courting him? From what he had gathered, Lord Elwood was a reasonable gentleman. He had, after all, accepted Albert as his future son-in-law, despite Albert’s scars. However, Albert couldn’t help thinking that he might have been coaxed by Albert’s father. Still, Albert didn’t think that just any gentleman, or nobleman, for that matter, could have been coerced into such an agreement. But that wasn’t Albert’s only concern. Miss Elwood was his primary worry.
The elder viscount, and the viscountess, could be as understanding and kind as they wanted. But their daughter’s opinion mattered just as much, at least in this case. Perhaps, even more so. It was she, after all, who would be married to Albert, not either of her parents. And if she chose to put an end to their courtship, there would be nothing any of them could do about it.
Even his own father, who he was sure had coaxed the viscount in allowing Albert to request Miss Elwood’s hand, couldn’t force the proceedings forward if Miss Elwood rejected Albert. And now, Albert wasn’t sure how he felt about the idea.
When the carriage stopped, he realized that they had reached Hyde Park. He also realized that he had been silently brooding for much of the trip there. He dared to glance at Miss Elwood, fearful that she had noticed, and was now uncomfortable around him. But she was looking out the carriage window, seemingly entranced by the beautiful sky and the scenery, especially since they had made small talk about it as the carriage traveled.
He hid a smile as he disembarked from the carriage. It would figure that she would be so delighted by lovely weather. Artists saw beauty everywhere, and they were captivated by things that were truly lovely. Which he found was true for him, as well, as he took Miss Elwood’s hand and helped her from the carriage. She looked up at him with her jade green eyes and smiled sweetly.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
Albert nodded, finding himself reluctant to release her hand, or to look away from her. It had taken him all that time. But at long last, he realized something. She had never once looked at him with disdain. He had thought she had the first night they met. But he now realized that she was simply as tense and uncomfortable with the arranged marriage situation as he had been. He couldn’t believe it took him so long to realize that. Now that he had, though, he couldn’t help smiling. She had never even made it look hard to keep a straight face around him. She looked at him like he had thought Cordelia could have, after his accident: like he was another human being, just like anyone else. His stomach fluttered, and he remained paralyzed, stuck to the spot where he stood.
“Albert,” shouted a familiar young voice.
Albert was so spellbound by the young woman that it took him several seconds to tear away his gaze from her. When he finally did, he saw Henry rush up toward him, several paces ahead of his father.
“Henry,” Neil cautioned, taking an extra moment to catch up to Albert and Miss Elwood.
But Neil didn’t even need to finish his chastisement. Henry had stopped in his tracks, dropping his arms, which appeared to have been poised to hug Albert, and clasping his hands together in front of him tightly. But that wasn’t the most amusing part of his countenance in that moment.
As Neil reached the trio, Henry stood staring up at Miss Elwood. He was transfixed, and Albert could see that he was very taken with her. He didn’t speak for a minute, and everyone else was quiet. Albert glanced up at Neil, who shrugged imperceptibly behind the boy.
“Forgive me,” the child said, bowing. “How do you do?”
Miss Elwood put a hand on her chest, looking up at Albert with an impressed smile.
“Well, hello, young man,” she said, curtseying. “I am well, thank you. How are you?”
The young boy giggled, clearing his throat and straightening himself immediately. Albert had to bite his tongue. Especially when the boy spoke again.
“Are you, perhaps, a princess?” he said, responding with a question.
