Edmund kept his eye on the door, waiting for Genie to appear. He was so focused that he failed to see Mrs. Makepeace approach him. “I’m so pleased the weather cleared so we could get outside,” she said.
“Indeed.” He gave her a smile while still trying to keep his attention somewhat on the door.
“I’m looking forward to the dancing competition later. Just when I think Lady Cosford can’t possibly come up with a new activity, she does.”
At last, Genie came outside. However, she was immediately followed by Sterling, and it was clear they’d met up inside and walked out together. Blast.
“Are we all ready?” Cosford called out from beside his wife. “On the way, we’ll stop at the new folly. It’s not finished, but it’s well underway. Then we’ll continue to the river, where we’ll have refreshments. Don’t get lost now!” He grinned, then pivoted to present his arm to Lady Cosford. They led the procession.
Edmund didn’t see how he could possibly escort Genie as he’d hoped. Resigned, he offered Mrs. Makepeace his arm.
“Thank you,” she said, curling her hand around his sleeve. They started through the garden, which had been designed by Capability Brown fifty years earlier. “I would love to have seen this garden in the summer.”
“I have—not this year—and it’s stunning,” Edmund said as they walked through the rose garden.
They walked in silence for a minute or so before she asked, “Are you enjoying the party?”
“Yes, you?”
“More than I anticipated, actually.”
“Why is that?”
“I worried I would be the youngest person here.” Mrs. Makepeace smiled. “I suppose I am, but I don’t feel as if I don’t belong. Everyone’s been married before.” She glanced at him. “Not quite everyone. The women I mean. You are unwed, are you not?”
“I have not married, no.”
“And are you here because you wish to change that, or…” She let the rest of her question hang in the air.
Or was he here for an assignation? Or perhaps more than one assignation. He didn’t think anyone here would try that, but he had his suspicions about Howell. Edmund chose his words carefully. “I’ve never been opposed to marriage. I just haven’t met the right woman yet.”
“That’s admirable you’re waiting for a love match. I hope you find it.”
Edmund suspected he already had.
He turned the conversation to the colors of autumn, and they soon arrived at the folly. Designed to look like a ruined Grecian temple, the structure was maybe half finished.
“Will you have a hermit?” Lord Pritchard asked loudly. “If so, perhaps young Dryden here will apply for the position.”
Dryden was the youngest gentleman in attendance. Slightly shy, he’d recently inherited a fortune. He’d come here in the hope that he’d avoid the Marriage Mart next Season when he would almost certainly be overwhelmed with attention.
“How much are you paying?” Dryden called toward Cosford.
“For you? Nothing!” Cosford returned with a laugh. “You can pay me!”
This was met with guffaws and laughter.
Lady Bradford and Mr. Emerson joined Edmund and Mrs. Makepeace. “I was just telling Mr. Emerson that all of you unmarried gentlemen should apply to be Cosford’s hermit,” Lady Bradford said with a laugh.
Emerson shook his head with a chuckle. “And I explained that just because we aren’t wed doesn’t mean we wish to live alone in a faux ruin.”
“Precisely,” Edmund agreed. “Where would be the fun in that?” He scanned the gathering and found Genie standing closer to the folly. She was still with Sterling, dammit.
“I wonder if they’re pairing off,” Lady Bradford said, moving close to Edmund as Emerson spoke with Mrs. Makepeace.
Edmund wasn’t certain the countess had seen where he was looking. He would pretend she hadn’t. “Whom are you speaking of?”
“The dowager duchess and Mr. Sterling. Weren’t you looking at them?” She paused only briefly before continuing—thankfully, so that he didn’t have to actually answer the question. “Seems as though some are doing that, which makes sense as we are at the halfway point of the party.”
“Lady Cosford should feel very accomplished,” Edmund said.
“Honestly, this is a brilliant idea for a party—no simpering misses with their overbearing mothers.” Lady Bradford laughed. “I should be careful. I may be one of those overbearing mothers in the not so distant future.”
Lord and Lady Cosford started toward the river once more, and Edmund again presented his arm to a woman who wasn’t Genie. He kept up a conversation with Lady Bradford despite Genie occupying a large piece of his mind. If the purpose of this party was to meet someone you wanted to spend time with—whether temporarily or permanently—Edmund was already there.
But was Genie? She’d retired early last night, and so far today, he’d had no opportunity to speak with her. Did she regret kissing him? He hoped not. Those kisses had been everything he’d dreamed and more.
At the river, a table had been set up with an array of food and drink. Edmund didn’t care about any of it. His primary focus was getting to Genie and making sure she walked back to the house on his arm.
He managed to take care not to walk directly to her. Chatting with people as he went, he made his way toward her. Annoyingly, Sterling was still at her side.
But unannoyingly, her eyes sparked with pleasure the moment she saw Edmund. He couldn’t help smiling in response.
“Good afternoon, Lord Satterfield,” she said.
“Good afternoon, Duchess.” He glanced toward Sterling to acknowledge him. “Sterling. I believe Lady Bradford was hoping to have a word with you.” Edmund didn’t know where that lie had come from and didn’t care.
Sterling turned to Genie and took her hand. “Thank you for the lovely company. I hope to see you later.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand, then nodded toward Edmund before taking himself off.
Edmund hoped he would walk straight into the river.
“You’re glaring at him,” Genie whispered.
Blinking, Edmund moved his attention to her. “Was I?”
Genie’s mouth tipped into a sly smile. “I think you know you were. Did Lady Bradford really want to talk to him?”
“Probably?” Edmund lifted a shoulder as he stepped closer to her. “I’m sure she will by the time he arrives.” He was relieved to see Genie wasn’t upset with him for sending Sterling away. In fact, she seemed to be flirting. “You don’t mind that he left?”
She shook her head. “How was your walk with Lady Bradford and Mrs. Makepeace?”
“Tolerable.”
Genie’s shoulders twitched.
“How was yours with Sterling?”
“Also tolerable.” She inhaled. “No, that isn’t fair. It was nice actually. He’s quite charming. He spoke of his children.”
“Mrs. Makepeace and Lady Bradford both speculated about the matches that may or may not be going on. Lady Bradford suggested you and Sterling were perhaps pairing off.” He didn’t ask the question, but held his breath, hoping she would refute it.