The Legendary Lord by Valerie Bowman

Author:Valerie Bowman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

London, April 1817

London was a different place entirely in the spring. The grass in the park was growing, baby birds were coming to life in the trees, and while the rain made for muddy ruts in the dirt roads, there was still a fresh energy to the town that was not there in the heat of the summer or the cold of winter when coal smoke clogged the air.

Christian ensconced himself in his town house on Upper Brook Street and set about making appointments with all the tradesmen Sarah had mentioned. First, he allowed his frustrated valet, Matthews, to shave him and cut his hair. The man seemed beyond pleased with his master’s sudden desire to be well-groomed again. Matthews was even allowed to cut his hair particularly short, much shorter than he normally wore it. Close-cropped: That’s what Sarah had told him was all the rage in London. “Yes, my lord, at once,” the valet replied with a gleam in his eye, no doubt from relishing his duty.

Once he was freshly shorn, Christian embarked upon a shopping trip. He made his way to Hoby’s for new boots and shoes, Weston’s for new coats, Martin’s for new shirts and cravats, and Yardley’s for new hats. One by one he checked off the list that Sarah had prepared for him, ensuring that he was the best-dressed man in the ton. Or one of them, at any rate.

He even met Owen Monroe at the stores a time or two, and the stylish man gave him advice on what precisely to order and lessons on tying not only the mathematical knot, Sarah’s favorite, but the l’Orientale and the mail coach as well. Once that tedious business was done, Christian waited for his purchases to arrive.

In the meantime, Lucy stopped by nearly every day to regale him with tales of the latest goings-on of the ton. He steadfastly refused to ask about Sarah.

“You’re going to Daphne and Rafe’s wedding next week, aren’t you? It’s to be in the country at Cass and Owen’s parents’ estate.”

“Of course,” Christian replied, reading the latest political news from the front page of The Times while Lucy sipped tea in Christian’s drawing room. “I received my invitation weeks ago. I wouldn’t miss it.”

“And Alexandra and Owen’s next month?” Lucy prodded.

“Yes, of course. I had a heavy hand in that one.” He chuckled, turning the paper’s page. “I’m greatly looking forward to it.”

“What about Sarah’s?” Lucy asked in a singsong voice.

Christian’s hand arrested halfway to the teacup he’d been about to pick up.

“Will you attend that wedding?” Lucy asked. She was trying to keep her tone nonchalant, but Christian knew he was being closely watched.

“I haven’t been invited,” he replied evenly, spreading the newspaper open in front of his face.

“That’s because it hasn’t been scheduled yet. Rumor has it the bride has been reticent to set a date,” Lucy announced.

“Is that so?” Christian asked from behind his paper.

Lucy continued in the same singsong tone of voice. “You know that Sarah will be at the events of the Season.

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