Spring Muslins by Melinda Hammond

Author:Melinda Hammond [Hammond, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-09T23:00:00+00:00

They soon reached Kensington and found the village high street bustling with traffic. When they arrived at the tea gardens they left their horses with the grooms and went inside. Mr Garwood had sent ahead and they found their table waiting for them, already laden with refreshments. For a while Lucia felt ill at ease, knowing she should thank Sir Darius for taking the blame, but he gave her no opportunity and looked perfectly at his ease sitting with Mary and Gerald Garwood. Everyone was in such good spirits it appeared that the incident had been forgotten by everyone save Lucy herself, and by the time they mounted up for the ride back to London she decided it would be wisest not to mention it.

It had been agreed that the whole party would take dinner at the Garwoods’ house off Piccadilly, from where Lady Winterstoke’s carriage would collect Verity and Lucia and take them to their respective homes at the end of the evening. No one changed their dress for dinner and it was a jolly, informal occasion and afterwards they gathered about the fire in the drawing room, reliving the day while Gerald Garwood handed round glasses of wine or brandy.

‘We must do it again,’ declared Mary, when the party at last broke up. ‘My poor hack is quite tired of merely trotting around the park.’

‘It has been a most delightful day and I would love to repeat it,’ agreed Verity. ‘Although next time Darius must behave. It was quite despicable of him to race!’

Lucia’s conscience pricked her uncomfortably.

‘Actually, Verity, it was – ‘

‘It was indeed.’ Sir Darius interrupted her. ‘Content yourself that it will not happen again, Verity, and let us forget the matter.’

Lucy had no doubt that he was really addressing himself to her and much as it irked to be beholden to him, there was nothing she could do. He escorted them out to the waiting carriage but when he jumped in after them Verity exclaimed in surprise.

‘I thought you would be walking! It is but a step to your rooms in Albany.’

‘What, and leave you to drive home unattended? No, indeed. What would our grandmother say to that?’

He sat down next to Lucia, who felt a sudden nervousness at his proximity in the darkness. When they reached Grafton Street he ordered the coachman to wait and she quickly assured him he need not come any further.

‘I shall be perfectly safe with the coachman and a footman as escort,’ she told him.

‘But I must come with you, Miss Luckington. My duty as a gentleman.’

Five minutes later he was back and the coach set off again towards Portman Square.

‘Since you insist upon accompanying me, Sir Darius, I must insist on thanking you for saving me embarrassment on the ride today. I was in the wrong – ‘

‘I thought we had agreed that the incident was forgotten.’

She bowed her head. ‘I cannot forget it. Mine was the blame.’

‘You are incensed that I acted chivalrously?’ He chuckled and turned

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