Page 76 of A Fearless Heart
“Ew, no,” Trevor agreed. “Not to mention would be very heartless to any woman expecting a proper marriage.”
“I suppose we’ll just have to wait until the office providessomesort of reply,” Cady said. “From what I understand, most of the time a change is impossible. There’s a reason why things are set up as they are, and Calder’s not an important enough title to get the Crown Office to change centuries of tradition. I suppose that as long as the issue is unresolved, it means I’m far less desirable as a catch.”
Trevor gave a little snort. “You can keep telling yourself that, dear Cady. But some fortune hunter will try to trick you into marriage, title or no. Father set aside a very tidy dowry for you.”
“He did?”
“Of course! He wanted you to scale the social ladder, and that meant enticing those men who were title-rich but cash-poor.”
Cady grimaced. “Sold off like a head of cattle.”
“Good thing he keeled over,” her brother said.
“Trevor! Honestly.” Cade glanced anxiously at Gabe.
He just shook his head, dismissing the comment. “It’s not as if your brother has concealed his opinion before. And he’s right. You should be wary of any man who suddenly shows up at your door.”
“Like you did?” she asked.
“Frankly…yes.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Trevor grinned. “Sometimes it’s fun when a strange man shows up at one’s door.”
“Trevor!Honestly.”
“That was honest.” He stood up. “Well, this has been lovely, but I do have another engagement in an hour. Cady, ask me to dinner sometime this week.”
“This is your house too, you dolt. You can come over anytime you like.”
“Perhaps I will. Not tonight, I’ve got dinner plans. But soon. We could make it a party. My dear Mr Courtenay, do you happen to have any friends in town who might want to drop by as well?”
“Let’s take things slow for Cady,” Gabe cautioned. “A dinner is a fine idea, but she must first acclimate to London.”
After Trevor had left, Gabe suggested that they go to Hyde Park. “Just a short outing, and one of the few activities where you won’t have to meet a lot of people or chatter on about stupid nonsense.”
“Your prejudices are showing,” she teased.
“Sorry, but it’s true. Anyway, my point is that it’s a good way to dip your toe in. And whenever you’re ready, I’ll escort you directly back.”
So they went to the park. The housemaid Judith trailed behind them in order to maintain the standards of propriety for Cady’s unmarried state. It was lovely, as all parks in spring tend to be. It was certainly busy, with single riders on horseback trotting down the paths, families strolling along together, maids pushing prams and minding children, and elegant carriages making their slow and stately way down the promenade so that the ladies and gentlemen of Society could see and be seen.
However, it was the sort of busyness that could be observed, and required nothing more. It was rather like watching performers parade across a stage, Cady thought. She could watch them, but she didn’t have to go through troublesome conversations.
Gabe knew a few people, mostly men with whom he exchanged a brief greeting or just a nod. There were also some women who seemed interested, but he was able to avoid acknowledging them without being offensive.
“Are you feeling so unsocial?” Cady asked after a carriage went by them, with a pair of ladies inside (probably mother and daughter) who both leaned toward Gabe as it passed.
“Oh, I don’t care much one way or the other,” he said. “But if anyone stops to talk, they’ll think it odd if I don’t introduce them to you, and I assumedyouwere feeling unsocial.”
“You’re correct about that,” she admitted. “Simply being among others is enough for me today.”
“It will only grow more crowded as spring marches on,” he said. “Funny that it all happens in a park, where everyone is looking at each other, not the trees or flowers.”
“Well, the flowers are not terribly interesting,” Cady said, looking around. “Though my neighbor Mr Heath would love the water features.”
“You are perhaps more exacting in your standards than most—”
“Gabriel? Is thatyou?” a voice called out, interrupting him.
