by Quinn, Ella
That was something Laia hoped would change with her marriage. “Very true.”
“Come, little one,” Damon said as he took her sister’s hand and placed it on his arm. “Paulet, please escort Laia.”
“My lady.” Mr. Paulet bowed. “Escorting you would be my pleasure.”
Ah. There was that smile again. This time she noticed the dimple on one side of his face. “Thank you.”
Mama had made her brothers practice escorting her and her sisters, but she had always felt as if she were being dragged along. Mr. Paulet, however, adjusted his steps to her shorter ones, making strolling next to him much more pleasant than with her brothers. Particularly as they were walking up hill.
He point out his house, telling her how it had been left to him, then stopped. “You can see much of Bath from here.”
Below her spread the city and river beyond. How breathtaking. No one had ever exerted themselves to ensure she was entertained before. Laia slid him a glance but he was looking at her instead of the view. Suddenly her mouth dried. He was much more handsome than she had originally thought.
Chapter 4
Several minutes later, Laia caught her first glimpse of the gardens. Flower beds looked like colorful pillows against the green meadow. In the distance, she could see a covered bridge. “How pretty it is here. What shall we view first?”
Mr. Paulet grinned down at her. “I think we might begin with the labyrinths, and as the morning becomes warmer, we can visit the grotto.”
After Euphrosyne got lost in the maze and Mr. Paulet and Laia had to go in and help her out, they explored the grotto—which was, indeed, a welcome break from the rising heat—and wandered along one of the shady paths.
Damon’s stomach grumbled loudly.
“I’m for my luncheon,” he proclaimed.
“When do you not wish to eat?” Mr. Paulet gave her brother such a look that Laia was hard-pressed not to laugh.
“Rarely,” Damon said in a lofty voice.
“I’m hungry as well,” Euphrosyne said.
Mr. Paulet glanced at Laia and sighed. “There is nothing for it. We must see these two fed. I know for a fact Hawksworth becomes a bear when he’s peckish.”
“To be honest, my sister is not much better.” She and Mr. Paulet began to follow her brother and sister home.
He had been the perfect gentleman, helping her over small stones and dips in the paths, and telling her about Bath and the surrounding areas. Despite what she had thought last evening, she enjoyed spending time with him and was sorry her brother had put an end to their outing.
Just outside of Laura Place, they met her sister-in-law and mother coming from the direction of town. “Did you drink the waters? Were they very nasty?”
“Yes, and no.” Her mother laughed. “There are a great many interesting people at the Pump Room. You may wish to accompany us tomorrow.”
“Both Mr. King, who is the Master of Ceremony for the Upper Rooms,” Meg said, “and Mr. Guynette, who performs the same task at the Lower Rooms, informed us there are balls twice every week and an illumination is planned four days after the next ball.”
Laia and her sister would never be allowed to attend the balls, but she couldn’t help but to give a little bounce of excitement about the illumination. “I never dreamt it would be so soon.”
“Did you come across anyone you know?” Damon asked as he took his wife’s hand, raising it to his lips.
“Indeed we did.” Meg stared into his eyes for a moment and Laia felt like sighing to see them so much in love. Would she love her husband like that? “Lady Sarah and Mr. Jeremy Bellingham are here with her brother Markham.”
Damon’s eyes widened. “That is a surprise. I would have supposed Markham to be in Brighton.”
“Oh, no. He doesn’t like the Carleton House crowd any more than we do.” Meg took her husband’s arm and turned him toward the bridge to the house. “They are staying at The York while they look for a house to buy.”
“Who? Sarah and Jeremy or Markham?”
“Markham is buying a house for them.” Meg strolled through the door behind Mama, grinning. “You remember that Quartus told us there was a misunderstanding of some kind between Sarah and her brother? It seems they have worked it out.” Meg handed her parasol and bonnet to Perkins. “We shall see them at the Pump Room tomorrow. It is quite delightful there. I also met Lady Engle, a friend of my grandmother’s. You will like her a great deal, I dare say.”
Guy’s ears perked up at hearing Lady Engle’s name. Meg had been busy. The older lady’s granddaughter had been his uncle’s last wife, and the woman had no love for his grace at all. He would dearly love to arrange for Lady Laia to speak with the older woman. Guy wondered how many of Somerset’s cronies had been present at the Pump Room and if any of them would report the meeting. Then again, none of them knew what he did about his uncle.
They were all in the hall now, and he began to take his leave of Lady Laia. “I had a delightful time this morning. I hope you will allow me to escort you to the illumination.”
Her blue eyes lit up at his suggestion, making him glad he had mentioned it. “If my mother agrees, I would like it above all things.”
“Guy,” the duchess said, “please join us for luncheon. I intend to press you into service as one of our evening escorts.”
“Oh, yes.” Laia’s lovely, lush pink lips widened into a smile, and damn if he didn’t want to kiss her. “That would be wonderful. Please say you will.”
“Of course.” He could not help but to return her smile. “I live to serve. My credit will indeed rise in the company of such lovely ladies.”
A light blush colored her cheeks and neck, drawing his attention to her ample breasts. Her mouth opened slightly, and it occurred to him that a gentleman had never admired her before. If they found they suited, he would, he realized, be her first for everything. And for some reason, that knowledge pleased him to no end.
He held out his arm to her. “Allow me to escort you to luncheon.”
She placed her hand on his arm, warming him where she touched him. “Thank you, sir.”
“No. Thank you, my lady. I do not believe I have ever squired a more beautiful woman.”
Her lips formed a perfect “O”, but she recovered quickly. “I am not at all sure you should speak to me like that.”
“No?” he asked, raising one brow. “Perhaps not. Or perhaps that is exactly how I should address you.”
Lady Laia’s cheeks reddened again, but as before she rallied. “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Paulet?”
Ah, innocent she might be, but she was no one’s fool. “I am. Do you like it?”
She didn’t answer until they had reached the breakfast room. “I think I do like it.”
“Good. I intend to continue.” And be the gentleman who showed her how to flirt.
As they sat down to a cold collation, the talk turned to other sites to be visited in the area. After discussing excursions to the ancient chapel at Farley Castle, the Roman ruins, and town of Badminton, the sisters decided to wait to visit the Pump Room and other places the guide book mentioned.
“Once we have seen all the places around Bath,” Laia explained, “we will probably be so fagged we will want to drink the water.”
“I have no doubt you are right, my dear,” the duchess said. “However, I shall leave the sightseeing to you.”
“But, Mama,” Euphrosyne cried. “We want you to join us.”
“I know you do, my love,” the duchess said in her gentle way. “However, I have met some old friends with whom I would dearly love to spend time, and I must take time to look in on your brothers and sisters. Aside from that, I shall be with you in the evening for the balls and concerts.”
“We’re going to be allowed to go to the ball?” Laia’s eyes grew to the size of saucers. “A real ball?”
“I believe I shall host a dancing afternoon,” Meg said.
Guy wanted to plant Somerset a facer. How could that old man hav
e denied them the pleasures all young ladies should enjoy? “There are no waltzes, but will you do me the honor of standing up with me for your first dance at Lady Hawksworth’s party?”
Her head swung from her mother, who nodded her permission, to him. “I would love to.”
At her sister’s fallen face, Damon said, “Euphrosyne, I know I am only a brother, but will you allow me to lead you out for your first set?”
Immediately, her countenance brightened. “Thank you, Hawksworth. You are the best brother ever.”
“If no one objects, I shall ask Lord Markham as well as his sister and brother-in-law if they would like to join us when we ride to Farley Castle. They have just arrived in Bath as well and have not seen the sights.” Meg looked at her family as they nodded, then glanced at Guy.
“That is an excellent idea.” The thought of giving Lady Laia the opportunity to meet another gentleman should not have upset him the way it did. He would simply find a way to keep Markham away from her.
The corners of her lips curved up. “That is what I thought. Aside from that, we really do need another gentleman to even our numbers.”
“Very true,” Lady Euphrosyne agreed. “I am always left with no escort.”
The excursion would also give Guy more time to come to know Lady Laia. Provided Markham did not try to cut him out. Guy really was becoming obsessed with that idea. He’d have to make it clear to his lordship where his interests lay.
He glanced at her younger sister. Perhaps Markham would be interested in Lady Euphrosyne. Her coloring was not as fair as her sister’s, nor was she as beautiful, but she had a way about her Markham might like.
According to Hawksworth, she was also of marriageable age, although not as close to her majority as Lady Laia. The question was, would Somerset allow the match? Somehow, Guy could not envision Markham bolting to Gretna Green, no matter how enthralled he was with a lady. Did that mean Guy would? The thought disturbed him. A scandal, and that’s exactly what it would be, was no way to help his career. He’d have to ask Hawksworth just how close to her majority his sister was.
Guy gave himself a shake. He was being ridiculous. Making matches for a gentleman and lady who had not even met each other. Imagining that he might wed a lady about whom he was not yet certain. But he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
He turned his thoughts back to Lady Laia. If she and Guy were to wed, neither duke could stop them or harm them in any way, as long as she had reached her majority. Even if her father or his uncle attempted to ruin his career, he had enough power and support to weather the challenge. In fact, once his uncle had realized that Guy’s politics were not the same, the man had tried to replace Guy as MP, and found he could not. If he married the lady, he had the means to protect her. And he might very well be required to do just that.
As much as Laia was enjoying Mr. Paulet’s attentions, she was not certain how to take them. All she knew was that she felt a thrill of pleasure when he gazed at her, and his blue eyes seemed to simmer as they practically touched her body. When she had placed her fingers on his arm, she could not ignore his strength.
She had asked if he was flirting with her, meaning the question to be a slight reprimand, but he had turned it into something else entirely. The problem was that she did not have the experience or the knowledge to know exactly what. Laia truly wished she had more experience with men. Yet, surely her mother or sister-in-law would have said something if Mr. Paulet’s behavior was not what it should be. She would have to trust their judgment. Damon, as well, liked the man, and as protective as her brother was, he’d definitely step in if Mr. Paulet crossed a line.
She pulled her thoughts to the here and now to find the very gentleman who occupied her mind was now seated next to her filling her plate with samples of meat, cheese, bread, and salad.
This time when she placed her hand on his arm, it was to stop him. “You must cease. I will never be able to eat all of it.”
He glanced at her plate. “If you are sure. We have had a great deal of exercise today.”
When she finished her luncheon, he asked if she would like a plate of strawberries, and she was astonished he took his time selecting the fruits and cutting them into quarters before putting the plate in front of her. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He grinned, taking several strawberries from the bowl and popping them whole into his mouth.
Once again, Laia did not know what to think. Yet from the corner of her eye, she saw her sister-in-law’s look of approval. Well, if Meg did not see anything wrong with Mr. Paulet’s behavior, who was Laia, who had no understanding of men at all, to complain?
Mayhap this was the type of experience Mama had meant when she said Laia must acquire some “Town Bronze.”
She glanced at her mother, but Mama was speaking with Meg and Euphrosyne, paying no attention at all to Laia and Mr. Paulet. She blew out a small breath. As long as Mr. Paulet was putting himself out to entertain her, she might as well enjoy his efforts.
“You are not eating your fruit.” His deep voice drew her out of her thoughts.
She speared a section with her fork, took a bite, and chewed. It was sweet and tart at the same time. “This is excellent. Do you know what type it is?”
He almost preened. “As it happens, I do. It is called ‘chili’. It comes from my estate in Kent.”
That was unexpected. For some reason, other than the house he had pointed out earlier, she had thought he was landless. “What part of Kent?”
“The estate is near Newchurch.” He ate another berry. “It is very pleasant and quiet. I wish I could spend more time there.”
“Why do you not?”
“Between my position in Parliament and my other estates, I hardly have time.” He finished off his bowl of strawberries. “I do have several excellent stewards, but an absent landlord is a neglectful landlord. And that leads his hirelings to believe they may do what they wish.”
Laia stared at him for a moment. Her father had said much the same. Unfortunately, he wasn’t nearly as good-humored about traveling from estate to estate. “How many other estates do you own?”
“At last count, ten.” He frowned slightly but not enough to banish his pleasant expression. “Unfortunately, they are spread all over England. There is one in Scotland as well.” His eyes began to sparkle with mirth. “I am renowned in my family for taking care of my possessions. Therefore, every time someone wishes to ensure their property is cared for, they either leave it to me or give it to me.” He gave her a self-deprecating smile. “I have more than enough to keep me busy without ascending to my uncle’s dukedom.”
Laia’s face heated to the point that she knew she was bright red. Not a becoming color for her. “I . . . I . . . I mean to say I would never . . . ” Oh, God. How did one confess to being wrong about him wishing the duke would never have a child?
Mr. Paulet patted her hand. “Don’t swallow your tongue. Not many people know I have my own fortune. To be frank, becoming the Duke of Bolton would be a blasted nuisance.”
“I see.” Or at least she understood that when he had said what he had about his uncle, he was speaking the truth as he knew it.
Laia still believed that her father would not give her to a man who was complicit in the deaths of his wives. She would not broach the subject again with Mr. Paulet. To do so would either insult him or force him to slander his uncle.
Still, it behooved her to discover exactly what had happened to the previous duchesses of Bolton. She would speak to Meg or Damon this evening. If anyone could discover the truth, they could. And if the duke was suspect, surely her father would not make her marry the man.
Chapter 5
The next morning, as Laia waited with her family and Mr. Paulet for the other group to arrive, her brother again mentioned Lady Sarah, and this time Laia was certain she had heard the lady’s name mentioned at Quartus’s wedding to Anna. “Isn’t she the woman Father wished to marry to Quartus?”
“She i
s,” Damon said. “However, she was already betrothed to Mr. Bellingham.”
That didn’t make any sense at all. Father had no reason to go around attempting to break betrothals. “I do not understand.”
Before her brother could answer, the sound of hooves on the cobblestone street reached them, and Mr. Paulet pulled the curtain in the front parlor aside. “Our fellow explorers have arrived. And, if I am not mistaken, our horses are entering the square. At least, I recognize my roan, and did Hawksworth not tell me that Lady Laia has a long-tailed gray mare?”
She went to the window. “Yes. That is my Eleanor. What a handsome fellow you have, sir.”
“He has served me well. I would never have escaped Corunna alive if it had not been for him.”
“Even without being told, I assumed by your bearing that you were a military man. But Mama said you served with my brother.”
“We were in the same unit.” He did not elaborate. “That is how we became friends.”
She had read the dispatches in the newssheets and the letters her brother had sent, letting them know he was still well. Her estimation of Mr. Paulet rose now that she knew he had been in the same hard-fought battles as Damon.
“What made you sell out?”
“My father died, and I was needed at home.” He flashed her a brief smile. “My mother convinced me I could serve my country better in parliament than on a battlefield. Boney had abdicated, and we had no idea Waterloo would take place.”
Laia, her family, and Mr. Paulet piled onto the pavement to greet the other group. After everyone was introduced, and mounted, they set off for the ride to Farley Castle.
The day was sunny and there were no clouds in the sky to mar their pleasure. Laia rode beside Mr. Paulet for the first hour discussing politics and listening as he told her about tonish society and restrictions on ladies.
“That won’t bother me at all. We are not allowed to go anywhere by ourselves.”
“You are a rare specimen, my lady. All my sisters chafed at the restrictions and could not wait to return to the country.” He grinned. “With husbands, of course.”