Rachel clapped her hands, nodding eagerly.
“Please, do,” she said. “I can hardly wait.”
The viscount was looking at her with awe again, and he opened his mouth to say something. But then, Henry was on his feet, jumping around to get his parents’ attention.
“May I go for a walk around the park?” he asked.
The two parents looked at one another, seeming to debate the question. Martha hurried to her feet, as well, smiling sweetly at the boy.
“I would be happy to go with him,” she said. “Really, I do not mind at all.”
The Smith’s gave each other another look. She had never seen non-relatives smile and nod so much because of her. She wondered if she might be able to become close friends with the Smith’s, like Lord Billington was.
“I see no harm,” Mr. Smith said at last, as his wife nodded her approval.
Martha curtseyed, but as she was preparing to excuse herself and link arms with the boy, the viscount rose, as well.
“I would be happy to accompany the two of you,” he said.
Martha looked at him, staring into his blue eyes. She likely would have told him that he could fly them to the moon in that minute, as his eyes were as inviting as cool water on a hot day. She gave him another flushed-cheeked smile and nodded.
“That would be great, she said. “So long as Henry doesn’t mind.”
But Henry was already tiptoeing off ahead of them, indicating that he was ready to go. She decided that meant he didn’t mind. That, or he was thrilled about the idea, and anxious to be on his way. Martha took Lord Billington’s arm, butterflies in her stomach once more. With everything, she had forgotten all about that horrible gossip. All that existed was the viscount, the Smith’s, and the most perfect day she had ever known.
Chapter Twenty-four
“I can’t believe you wanted to come walk with me,” Henry gushed, smiling up at Miss Elwood as though her offer had made his whole week.
Albert bit his lip to fight a chuckle. It was clear that the young boy was still flirting a little with Miss Elwood. Albert hardly blamed him, as she was a sweet, kind woman, and very lovely, to boot. And he knew that the young lady would never do anything to hurt the child. It was such a sweet, innocent interaction that Albert couldn’t help smiling.
Miss Elwood smiled down at the boy and nodded.
“Of course, I do,” she said. “You make for excellent company. And it’s a very lovely day today. How could I not want to come?”
The boy blushed as his grin widened.
“I make good company?” he asked.
Miss Elwood nodded, stopping briefly to kneel in front of him.
“You sure do,” she said. “I’ve never met such a wonderful, perfect gentleman.”
Albert was preparing to pretend to be terribly offended by her remark. But she stood then and smiled him, giving him a discreet wink with her sparkling eyes.
The boy turned to Albert, his own gray eyes sparkling brightly under the young lady’s praise. Albert thought his cheeks might tear from the way he was smiling so hard.
“I suppose you will have to come take gentleman lessons from me, if you want to marry Miss Elwood,” he said, clearly filled with pride.
Albert chuckled, nodding as he reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said. “I had no idea that I was so lacking as a gentleman.”
He looked quickly at Miss Elwood to show her that he was not truly in any way offended by what she had said. He returned her wink and gave her the smallest shake of his head, as well as an amused smirk. She hid a smile behind her mouth, while Henry wrapped his arms around Albert’s waist.
“It’s all right,” he said. “You are a good man, and a decent gentleman. You’ll be a perfect gentleman in no time, I know it.”
Albert smiled at the boy again, noticing that Miss Elwood put a hand on her chest and gave the boy a look that clearly depicted how precious she thought he was.
