Page 62 of Leap of Faith
“My lord, I have tried at the appointed hour, and your butler will not admit me,” Dankworth pleaded.
Dominic swung up onto his horse. “Just so.” He clicked his tongue to send Max onward, wondering at the inability of youth to take a hint.
As per their usual custom, the gentlemen put the horses through their paces before any serious topics were broached, but as soon as they had slowed to a pace where speech was possible, he spoke.
“Did any of you read the Society pages this morning?”
Freddy had the grace to blush. “I swear I did not know what she was about!”
“I wondered if you were her partner in mischief, but I thought to ask before accusing.”
“I had no idea what she was about when she asked to ride. I had only stopped at the house to pet the kitten when she asked to ride. I like to ride myself, so I did not see the harm. We were nowhere near the strut, nor the fashionable hour for that matter!” Freddy defended himself and his charge.
“Someone is always watching in London,” Rotham remarked.
“Well, if I had known she was going to turn upside down on her horse, I would not have agreed.”
“No wonder someone took notice if she was upside down in skirts!” Montford exclaimed.
“Well, the thing is, she wasn’t.”
“Do you mean she was in breeches?” Montford was shocked to the core.
“No, no. She had fashioned her skirt to somehow split in the middle, then tied them about her ankles. Dashed clever, I thought.”
“At least she troubled to disguise it as a skirt,” Carew offered.
“Of course, she did.” Dominic shook his head. “I will deal with her later. What I had been referring to was the information that Sir Julian had gone to Martingale’s. I was going to allow the ladies to attend the masquerade.”
“I suspect a hoax,” Rotham warned.
“Indeed. If he thinks me slow enough to swallow that tale, then I intend to be ready for him. However, it would be best to be prepared.”
“I can ask at the Albany to see if he announced his trip. He has rooms there as well,” Montford offered.
“My valet is acquainted with his man. I will ask him,” Rotham said.
“I have no objection to escorting them to the masquerade,” Carew said with a smile lurking in his eyes.
“Do not tell me you wish to make a declaration as well? I have already been accosted this morning on my front steps, as well as at Jackson’ Saloon, and at White’s this week alone.”
“Do not tell me you were thinking of the parson’s noose?” Freddy asked.
“You never know. I will eventually need an heir, and who’s to say when another like her will come along?”
“Since there are five of them, I can say with a great deal of certainty!” Dominic retorted.
“It’s too devilish early for this kind of talk. I will see you tonight. I will send word when I ask my man,” Rotham said, as they all parted until later that night, and Dominic rode on to Westwood House.
“Good day, my lord,” Hartley greeted him.
“Is anyone down yet?” It sounded awfully quiet to Dominic’s ears. He did not think the ladies were late sleepers since they often met him for a ride in the mornings.
“I believe they partake of breakfast together in their chambers, my lord. Shall I inform them of your arrival?”
“It is Miss Joy in particular I wish to speak with. If Miss Whitford or the governess would care to accompany her, I will see them in the study.”
“Very good, my lord. Shall I send in a tray?”
