Page 91 of My Gentleman Spy
“Steady on girl, your brothers are watching,” said the young man, finally releasing Eve. His words noted protest, but the smug look on his face saidotherwise.
Hattie felt Will’s grip on her arm tighten. She was sure he cursed under hisbreath.
Eve took a firm hold of her male friend’s hand and brought him over to thegroup.
“Sorry, I forgot to mention that Freddie was going to join us tonight. I am sure it is alright with you all,” sheannounced.
From the way Will was grinding his jaw, Hattie knew Will was far frompleased.
“Oh, and who is this?” said Freddie, rudely pointing atHattie.
She had been away from polite society for some time, but Hattie knew well enough that both Eve and Freddie were behaving poorly in public. From the look of disgust on both Francis and Caroline’s faces they were not impressed with such commonbehavior.
Will steppedin.
“Miss Harriet Wright, may I introduce the Honorable Frederick Rosemount. Frederick is the second son of ViscountRosemount.”
Suddenly reminded of social expectations Freddie dipped into an elegantbow.
“At your service Miss Wright. You may call me Freddie. All my friendsdo.”
He was immaculately dressed, his coat cut to fit snuggly against his shoulders and chest. His bright red waistcoat which was finished with gold buttons screamed for everyone’s attention. As she observed him Hattie noticed he kept shifting his stance. It was clear he was trying to find the best pose with which to impress the other members of the party. The only person who seemed to think he was anything but a pompous ass was Eve, who inexplicably hung on his everyword.
He was a tad too polished and smooth for Hattie’s liking. If he wasn’t the son of a viscount, she would have picked him for aconman.
The group walked on through the crowded park. Everywhere she looked there were different forms of entertainment to entice anddelight.
Hundreds of lamps which hung from trees and poles lit the way. The soft light they threw out gave the entire gardens an almost fairy land appearance. Hattie wasenchanted.
“This reminds me of when we visited St. Michael’s cave. It is like another world,” she whispered toWill.
He looked up into the trees and then looking down at hersmiled.
“Yes. Let us hope there are nomonkeys.”
They stopped for a few minutes and watched a juggler who managed to have five supposedly loaded pistols in the air at the one time. As the juggler caught the last of the pistols, he fired it into the air. The crowd gasped and then loudlyapplauded.
“Do not try that at home Francis,” saidWill.
Francis caught his brother’s jest andlaughed.
“Lord no. Far too dangerous. I shall only use threepistols.”
They walked on following the flowing crowd as it moved along the main path. Finally, they reached a large grassy clearing. Dotted around the edges of the clearing were a series of private boxes. Will retrieved a ticket out of his pocket and led them to the private box he hadbooked.
The women retired to a soft overstuffed couch and got settled. Will meanwhile, beckoned to a nearby waiter. After a short conversation, the waiter headed off. He returned a few minutes later carrying a tray filled with glasses of champagne which he set down in front of thegroup.
Will picked up a glass and handed it to Hattie. Their fingers touched as she took a hold of the glass. The sensation of touching his skin reminded her as to why Will had invited her this evening. He had plans for them to be forever touchingskin.
Hattie blushed when she saw Will lick his bottom lip. She remembered all the wicked things that tongue and lips had done to herbody.
As she took her first sip of the champagne, she smiled. Miranda was right, it had been too long since she had had any fun. No matter how things eventually ended with Will, tonight she would make every effort to enjoy herself. It would be a night for making pleasantmemories.
Eve downed two glasses of champagne in quick succession, earning herself a brotherly rebuke from Francis. Freddie, Hattie noted, stood to one side, and let her do as she pleased. When she called for a third drink, Will reached over and took her glass out of herhand.
“I think you should take it a little slower Eve, the night is still young,” hecautioned.
Hattie was surprised to see a pout appear on Eve’s lips. She seemed determined to take her brother to task over some unknownslight.
