are practically one of the family.” Hannah paused a moment before adding, “Isn’t that right, Mama?”
Lady B’s smile appeared genuine enough. “Of course, Laurence. You will come, won’t you? My younger three daughters will attend, and Lord Bridgethorpe, if he’s strong enough.”
“It sounds delightful. I will be sure to come.” He returned to watching the passing traffic, his thoughts going back to his surprise at Lady B’s acceptance of his invitation. Against his better judgment, he mentioned it. “I wasn’t certain you’d both be able to join Louisa and I this afternoon.”
Hannah glanced at her mother, but kept quiet.
Lady B narrowed her gaze. “It’s important that Louisa have some female company in addition to her nurse. I don’t think it wise we make a habit of being seen together in Society too often, you understand. After you are settled in your new home, it would be better for you to have Louisa’s nursemaid bring her to our house.”
He nodded. “I see. And I understand your meaning. I only considered making the child more relaxed in my presence, and having you two, with whom she’s grown familiar, join us improves her enjoyment.”
“Are you enjoying your outing, Louisa?” Lady B’s expression softened as she looked at the young girl.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Have you seen marionettes before?” Hannah asked.
“What’s a mary-nette?”
Laurence sat back and let the ladies talk to Louisa for the rest of the ride. She grew more animated the more she spoke, and by the time they reached the park she jumped from the carriage step onto the street. He offered a hand to Lady B and Hannah as they stepped down, then gave his arm to Lady B to lead them into the park.
Louisa ran ahead of her nursemaid, looking more like a four-year-old than he recalled since her arrival in London. Hannah hurried to catch up with them, leaving Laurence to walk with the countess.
“How is she faring?” he asked.
“As well as can be expected, I imagine,” Lady B answered.
“I’m unfamiliar with the behavior of children, especially not one who’s lost as much as she has.”
“Tell me, dear boy, do you plan to bring a mother into her life?”
He gnawed the inside of his lip. Lady B was the one person who could see beyond his fibs, so there was no hope of lying to her. “I won’t marry for the sake of Louisa alone. That isn’t the life I want to give her.”
“Perhaps you should be using your evenings wisely and getting to know the young ladies who are still free to choose among.”
He grew tired of these veiled inferences to avoiding Hannah in public. “I’m not comfortable with the small talk expected of me. I don’t like the idea of raising the hopes of every young woman I asked to dance.”
“I could put in a good word with a few matrons who plan an afternoon of cards or a poetry reading, or a musicale. I know how you love your cards.”
He chuckled. “Can you see me sitting through recitations of poetry? I never cared much for reading, and listening to someone do so poorly is the worst torture I can imagine.”
“Oh, I could introduce you to forms of torture you’ve never considered.” She patted his arm. “It’s lucky I love you, Lord Oakhurst. As long as you behave, I won’t subject you to my humor.”
“I consider myself forewarned.”
They reached the gathering of children, most with a governess or nursemaid watching over them. The puppeteers kept the children laughing with a nonsensical skit. Hearing Louisa’s laughter warmed him, wiping away all the ill feelings Lady B’s warnings stirred in him.
When the show finished, Hannah took Louisa’s hand and they walked together down the path, the nursemaid a few paces behind. Laurence and the countess followed. Suddenly, a brown-spotted spaniel puppy darted across the path.
“Puppy!” Louisa squealed.
Hannah held her back. “It’s not our puppy, honey. It’s dirty. Let’s leave it alone.”
“I want a
Lady B’s smile appeared genuine enough. “Of course, Laurence. You will come, won’t you? My younger three daughters will attend, and Lord Bridgethorpe, if he’s strong enough.”
“It sounds delightful. I will be sure to come.” He returned to watching the passing traffic, his thoughts going back to his surprise at Lady B’s acceptance of his invitation. Against his better judgment, he mentioned it. “I wasn’t certain you’d both be able to join Louisa and I this afternoon.”
Hannah glanced at her mother, but kept quiet.
Lady B narrowed her gaze. “It’s important that Louisa have some female company in addition to her nurse. I don’t think it wise we make a habit of being seen together in Society too often, you understand. After you are settled in your new home, it would be better for you to have Louisa’s nursemaid bring her to our house.”
He nodded. “I see. And I understand your meaning. I only considered making the child more relaxed in my presence, and having you two, with whom she’s grown familiar, join us improves her enjoyment.”
“Are you enjoying your outing, Louisa?” Lady B’s expression softened as she looked at the young girl.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Have you seen marionettes before?” Hannah asked.
“What’s a mary-nette?”
Laurence sat back and let the ladies talk to Louisa for the rest of the ride. She grew more animated the more she spoke, and by the time they reached the park she jumped from the carriage step onto the street. He offered a hand to Lady B and Hannah as they stepped down, then gave his arm to Lady B to lead them into the park.
Louisa ran ahead of her nursemaid, looking more like a four-year-old than he recalled since her arrival in London. Hannah hurried to catch up with them, leaving Laurence to walk with the countess.
“How is she faring?” he asked.
“As well as can be expected, I imagine,” Lady B answered.
“I’m unfamiliar with the behavior of children, especially not one who’s lost as much as she has.”
“Tell me, dear boy, do you plan to bring a mother into her life?”
He gnawed the inside of his lip. Lady B was the one person who could see beyond his fibs, so there was no hope of lying to her. “I won’t marry for the sake of Louisa alone. That isn’t the life I want to give her.”
“Perhaps you should be using your evenings wisely and getting to know the young ladies who are still free to choose among.”
He grew tired of these veiled inferences to avoiding Hannah in public. “I’m not comfortable with the small talk expected of me. I don’t like the idea of raising the hopes of every young woman I asked to dance.”
“I could put in a good word with a few matrons who plan an afternoon of cards or a poetry reading, or a musicale. I know how you love your cards.”
He chuckled. “Can you see me sitting through recitations of poetry? I never cared much for reading, and listening to someone do so poorly is the worst torture I can imagine.”
“Oh, I could introduce you to forms of torture you’ve never considered.” She patted his arm. “It’s lucky I love you, Lord Oakhurst. As long as you behave, I won’t subject you to my humor.”
“I consider myself forewarned.”
They reached the gathering of children, most with a governess or nursemaid watching over them. The puppeteers kept the children laughing with a nonsensical skit. Hearing Louisa’s laughter warmed him, wiping away all the ill feelings Lady B’s warnings stirred in him.
When the show finished, Hannah took Louisa’s hand and they walked together down the path, the nursemaid a few paces behind. Laurence and the countess followed. Suddenly, a brown-spotted spaniel puppy darted across the path.
“Puppy!” Louisa squealed.
Hannah held her back. “It’s not our puppy, honey. It’s dirty. Let’s leave it alone.”
“I want a
Similar Books
