Chapter Thirteen
Annabelle was already wearing her traveling boots and pelisse when David arrived the next morning. She tied her bonnet beneath her chin, noting with a smile that he seemed positively relieved to see that she was still planning on leaving the house for once.
“We’ll take Cara with us,” Annabelle explained as David opened the front door for her. “After all, a young lady must be chaperoned at all times.”
“Yes,” he replied, nodding. “I know that from Marianne’s adventures. But why isn’t Lady Angelina coming?”
Annabelle sighed. “Poor Mama is out at the flower shops this morning, asking them not to deliver any more. She says the household cannot take it.”
David glanced around the foyer still filled with loads of flowers in various states of decay. “I wondered why the delivery line wasn’t as long this morning,” he replied with a laugh. “And I cannot say I blame your mother for wanting it to stop.” He helped Annabelle down the stairs, past a smattering of delivery boys holding flower vases, and out into the waiting coach. Annabelle’s maid followed them.
Not half an hour later, Annabelle and David were in Hyde Park riding atop his curricle, while Cara sat properly in the back, tending to her sewing. The vehicle was clearly new, and the lovely horses pulling the thing were spirited yet well-trained. Annabelle couldn’t remember the last time she’d ridden in such a fine vehicle. She directed David up a busy dirt road near the Serpentine until they came to a more private lane that led down to the water’s edge.
David expertly maneuvered the horses along the narrow path. “Stop here,” she called when they came to a spot where she knew they would have privacy to talk.
David brought the horses to a standstill, let the reins go slack, and turned to face her. “So, if I meet a lady I fancy at the ball, I should plan to ask her to go riding in the park the next day?”
Annabelle folded her gloved hands together in her lap. “Yes, well. First, you must ensure you’ve made her acquaintance outside of the ballroom. An introduction in the ballroom is fine for a dance, but to greet her on the street, you must pay her a call first and receive a proper introduction.”
He frowned. “You must be jesting.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “Do I look as if I’m jesting?”
“No.” He sighed. “Very well, so I pay her a call, get a formal introduction, and then I may ask if she’d like to go for a ride in the park?”
“Yes,” Annabelle replied. “A ride in the park, or to get an ice at Gunter’s, or perhaps you could invite her and her mother to the opera or the theater.”
David groaned. “I detest the opera.”
Annabelle laughed. “So do I. But it’s a highly approved outing. That is, of course, after you’ve received her parents’ approval. Then, she must be chaperoned at all times—and you must know, the papers will report upon it immediately.”
David’s brows shot up “What? Why would the papers possibly care?”
“The papers are quite attuned to the Season in London. There are entire pages set aside for gossip and innuendo. You’ve already been reported on extensively this Season. You and Marianne. Don’t you read the Times?”
David groaned again. “I read it. But Bell already warned me to steer clear of the gossip pages, lest I become tempted to find the authors of such pages and sock them in the jaw.”
Annabelle laughed. “Yes, well, perhaps that’s for the best, then. But let me assure you, yours and Marianne’s arrival in London has been nearly the biggest story this year, next to Lady Frances’s father, Baron Winfield, being arrested for treason.”
“Yes, I was there for that,” David replied. “Sad scene to see a traitor to his country.”
Annabelle leaned toward him. She’d forgotten that part of David’s rescue from the French prison camp involved Beau and Marianne capturing Baron Winfield. “Tell me, is it true that he and his mistress turned on each other at the end?”
David shook his head. “I seem to recall something like that, but honestly, I was so pleased to see Marianne and Bell, I don’t recall many of the details. I hadn’t eaten or slept in weeks.”
Annabelle gasped, clapping a gloved hand over her mouth. “Weeks?” She’d had no idea his experience had been that awful. She slowly lowered her hand back to her lap. “I’m sorry you had to go through such an ordeal.”
“Are you jesting?” David cracked a smile. “It was nothing compared to being forced to fit into London Society.”
Annabelle shook her head and promptly changed the subject. “Come. Help me down. We’ll go for a walk by the water.”
David glanced about. “Is that usually how it’s done…when riding in the park?”
“No,” Annabelle replied, with a sly smile. “But you said you wanted to get out of the drawing room, didn’t you? Besides, it’s only you and me. No one will be the wiser. Cara won’t say a word.”
David didn’t say another word, either. He hopped down from the bench and made his way over to her side of the curricle. He raised both arms to help her down.
Annabelle braced her hands on David’s shoulders as he lifted her off the seat and placed her gently on the grass. When it was done, she was awkwardly staring up at him, her hands still atop his broad shoulders. Even through her gloves, she could feel his coat was not padded. More than she could say for a variety of gentlemen whom she’d danced with through the years. She gulped and snatched her hands away as if they’d been burned.
Placing both hands firmly behind her back, she turned toward the small dirt path that led to the water’s edge. “This way,” she offered, taking off at a decent pace. David gamely followed.
They made their way down to the water and both silently walked along the bank for a few moments. Reeds and trees blocked their view across the entire expanse. They were in their own private spot, where spring daffodils had begun to bloom, and bright green grass was shooting up all over.
David stopped. Bracing his legs apart, his arms folded behind him, he stared off across the expanse, clearly lost in thought. Annabelle tentatively watched him from several paces away. He looked so confident and certain of himself. Like an army captain, about to give orders to a group of men. His jaw was rock hard, and his eyes had narrowed on the horizon. The fact that he was anxious about attending a silly ball remained unbelievable to her. David had been involved in the things that truly mattered. He’d stared death in the face. There was no way the ton would break him. He was too strong. She could sense it. He would do fine.
She gave him a few moments of privacy before walking over to stand next to him. “A penny for your thoughts, my lord,” she said softly.
He moved his hands on his hips, still staring out at the green water. “Honestly, I was thinking how much I’d like a cigar right now.”
Annabelle laughed. “You know I don’t normally smoke, don’t you? I’ve been meaning to tell you the truth on that score for days now.”
He arched a brow and smiled at her. “You could have fooled me after your performance in the Harrisons’ gardens. You seemed to know precisely what you were doing.”