To him winning had always been what mattered because his aunt cared so much. Or he thought she did. Then again, he had never been able to please her. Even when he had backed out of a pending betrothal with a lady on his aunt’s orders because of the death of her father, she still had not been happy with him for long. But soon he’d be free. Once he married, he wouldn’t have to care about what his aunt thought anymore.
“My lord?” Lady Aurelia’s eyes captured his gaze when he glanced up.
“I am sorry. I was remembering something else. You might be correct that winning is not everything. I must give it further thought.”
The corners of her lips twitched, but instead of responding she placed her hand on his arm. “Shall we find our carriage?”
They approached one of the footmen and were escorted to the coach at the front of the line. “It’s this one, my lord.”
Turley handed the servant a coin. “Thank you.”
The steps were already down, so he handed Lady Aurelia into the carriage and waited for Lord and Lady Turner to arrive. Even under these circumstances, it would not help him at all to be caught in a closed coach with a lady.
She sat on the forward-facing bench next to the door. “Have you spent much time in this area?”
“No.” Marc had been looking for Turner and now faced Lady Aurelia. “This is my first time here.”
“Mine as well.” She graced him with another smile. “I do think the countryside is lovely, and it is not nearly as chilly as it is at home.”
Had she not been in Town? “Were you not taking part in the Season before coming here?”
“No.” She shook her head as if to emphasize the point. “I do not like to be looked over as if I were a mare to be purchased. And as you know, I am not fond of small talk.”
He understood her point. He wouldn’t like it either, but how was she to find a suitable husband? Or was her mother arranging a match for her? Marc had been surprised by her depth of knowledge regarding politics. He had no doubt she was conversant on a number of other subjects as well.
Suddenly she let out a peal of light laughter. “Oh dear. If you could see the consternation on your face. You wish to ask me how I am going to find a husband, do you not?”
Heat crept up Marc’s neck and he was grateful for his collar and cravat. She really was the most straightforward lady he had ever met. He cleared his throat. “It had crossed my mind.”
“The answer is quite simple. I have not yet met the gentleman I wish to wed.”
“Are you waiting for a love match?”
“Dear me, no.” She fluttered her hand as if to ward off such silliness. “I am much too rational for that. Although, if it did occur I suppose I would accept it. I am looking for a gentleman with whom I shall find it easy to live. After all, marriage is for life.”
Marc couldn’t deny that. “So it is.”
He wondered if he had been going about courting the wrong way. He liked Lady Aurelia, but was still drawn to Miss Featherton. He gave himself a mental shrug. There was only one way to find out.
* * *
It was no surprise that Georgie and the others had arrived in Croseton before the rest of the group. They had left first. “Do you know where the Cross and Crown is located?”
“My coachman does,” Frits replied. “One of his sisters married a man from here, and he comes to visit her.”
They stopped in front of a well-kept Tudor inn built of wattle and daub. The lower front windows were made of colored glass with windows so clean they sparkled in the early afternoon sun. Turley handed her down and she could see that the building had two floors and attics. “It is lovely.”
He placed her hand on his arm as they strolled toward the entrance. “I agree. The whole town seems to be in excellent condition.”
Georgie surveyed the other buildings. There was no faded or peeling paint on any of them. Each shop’s sign was in good repair. The pavements were clean as was the street. “I wonder how much of this is due to the fact that two families own it.”
“Quite a bit I’d say.” He turned as Frits and Adeline came up. “This is impressive.”
“That is just what I said,” Adeline commented. “I feel the need to help Littleton look as well maintained as Croseton obviously is.”
“It is almost like stepping back into time.” Georgie had seen many buildings that were centuries old. They even had some in her family. But she had never seen a whole town that appeared as if it had been suspended in time. “I almost expect to see men walking around in long coats and stockings.”
Adeline grinned. “And ladies in gowns with low waists.”
“And even lower necklines,” Frits said in a deep voice.
“Where is the market?” Turley quickly asked as if trying to change the subject.
“Mary said there is a field at the end of town.” Georgie stepped toward the street and found stands beyond the last building. “There it is.”
The others peered in the same direction.
“It is quite large,” Adeline said. “I would love to go down there now, but we did promise we would remain here until the others arrived.”
“In that event—” Turley started to the inn’s main entrance with Georgie in tow. “I’m for tasting the inn’s ale.”
“Excellent idea.” Frits smiled. “Would you ladies like tea?”
“I would like to try a sip of ale.” Despite having two brothers, or perhaps because of them, Georgie had never sampled ale.
“I would like tea.” Adeline tugged on her husband’s arm.
A large private parlor on the first floor had been reserved for the party. The landlord himself led them up a short flight of stairs, and Georgie now understood why the windows on one side of the building were taller. They had just finished their refreshments when the first carriage stopped at the inn.
She rose from her chair, causing Frits and Turley to jump up. “Shall we meet them in the yard?”
“Yes.” Turley took her hand and tucked it into the crook of his arm. “I am looking forward to the market, and if we let them in here the gentlemen will wish to have at least one drink.”
Once the other vehicles had deposited their passengers, Mary and Amanda with their husbands led the way to the market. When they arrived at the last building, Amanda announced, “We will meet back up at the inn in three hours. Although, if anyone becomes fatigued the landlord will be able to accommodate you.”
The party dispersed into the market. Georgie and Turley, by unspoken consent, went to the stands on the far side.
“Is there anything in particular you wish to purchase?” he asked.
“I think I shall buy some ribbons for my younger sister and something for Kit and Mary’s new baby.”
They passed a stand selling meat pies, and she was sorry she’d had so much to eat earlier.
Turley glanced at the pies as well and sighed. “Don’t you have a younger brother as well?”
“He is actually older than I am, but younger in that he is not yet on the Town.” She stopped at a stand carrying lace being sold by an older woman. “He is at Oxford preparing for a diplomatic career.”
Georgie picked up a length of the lace. “This looks as if it was made in Belgium.”