Love Finds Lord Davingdale by Anne Gallagher

Author:Anne Gallagher [Gallagher, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781476348902
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 21631216
Publisher: Anne Gallagher
Published: 2012-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

By nine o’clock the next morning, Harry sat in the back of the coach, bundled in four carriage blankets with ten hot bricks under his feet. Bright but cold, the day would be a long one for Thomas. Harry would not only want to purchase his book. No, Harry would want lunch at his club, coffee and a round of cards at another, and then dessert at a third. He may not frequent Society, but when he did, he enjoyed as much of it as he could.

Pulling up in front of the bookseller, Thomas helped his uncle from the carriage. “I have several errands to run. I will return for you in an hour.”

“Make it two,” Harry said. “Crowling and I have much to discuss.”

“Very well. Should I warn White’s you will be dining today?”

“Yes.” Harry jabbed at the air with his cane. “Tell that man I want the table by the window, not the one in the left dining room either. I cannot abide the fireplace in that room. I want to eat near the columns, by the window. Can you remember that?”

“Yes, Uncle, by your leave.” Thomas would definitely warn Jacobs, the maitre d’ hotel at the club, his surly uncle would be dining. He was sure Jacobs would be thrilled to hear it.

Driving through the streets of Piccadilly, Thomas spotted a flower shop. He stopped the team and tied them off, went into the shop and presented his card. The clerk showed him several bouquets, but nothing seemed quite right to Thomas. Looking around, he spied beautiful pink flowers in the corner.

“Those, what are those?” he asked pointing.

“Peonies, my lord. The symbol of happy marriage.” The clerk hovered.

Happy marriage. Well, a little forward thinking on his part, but Thomas liked the flowers just the same. “Yes, I shall take those.”

“Excellent choice.” The clerk began pulling the stems out of the bucket of water. “Twelve, my lord?”

“Yes, and could you have them delivered to St. John’s Wood? I’ll pay extra.”

“Of course, my lord. Shall you write the card?” He pushed a small piece of vellum and an inkpot forward.

What to say…. I hope you are feeling better. Have fun at your ball tonight. My carriage will arrive at half-eight. T. Merrit

Not the greatest poetry, but he presumed the flowers would speak for themselves.

“Will there be anything else, my lord?”

“No, thank you.” Thomas smiled as he sauntered out of the shop. He wondered what Ophelia would say about the flowers.

Jacobs, stoic that he was, barely batted an eyelash when Thomas requested his uncle’s favorite table at White’s. He looked around while he was there, but seeing none of his acquaintance, headed for Caymore House. Perhaps William would have an hour to waste.

William was not at home, however, Quiggins brought him down the hall where Lady Penelope welcomed him into the yellow salon.

“Davingdale, it is so nice to see you,” she said.

Thomas bent low over her hand. “Lady Pen, always a pleasure.”

“Do sit down, would you care for a cup of tea? Quiggins was just bringing me one.

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