Read Online Four In Hand by Stephanie Laurens - Free Book Online Page B

reining in his dappled grey, he dropped to the rear of the group, the better to keep the three younger girls in view. Caroline, riding by his side, stayed with him. She threw him a laughing glance but made no comment.
    As he had expected, they had not gone more than two hundred yards before their numbers were swelled by the appearance of Lord Tulloch and young Mr. Mitchell. But neither of these gentlemen seemed able to interrupt the rapport which, to Max’s experienced eye, was developing with alarming rapidity between Sarah Twinning and Darcy Hamilton. Despite his fears, he grudgingly admitted the Twinning sisters knew a trick or two. Arabella flirted outrageously but did so with all gentlemen, none being able to claim any special consideration. Lizzie attracted the quieter men and was happy to converse on the matters currently holding the interest of the ton . Her natural shyness and understated youth, combined with her undeniable beauty, was a heady tonic for these more sober gentlemen. As they ventured deeper into the Park, Max was relieved to find Sarah giving Darcy no opportunity to lead her apart. Gradually, his watchfulness relaxed. He turned to Caroline.
    “Have you enjoyed your first taste of life in London?”
    “Yes, thank you,” she replied, grey eyes smiling. “Your aunt has been wonderful. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
    Max’s brow clouded. As it happened, the last thing he wanted was her gratitude. Here he was, thinking along lines not grossly dissimilar from Darcy’s present preoccupation, and the woman chose to thank him. He glanced down at her as she rode beside him, her face free of any worry, thoroughly enjoying the moment. Her presence was oddly calming.
    “What plans to you have for the rest of the week?” he asked.
    Caroline was slightly surprised by his interest but replied readily. “We’ve been driving in the Park every afternoon except today. I expect we’ll continue to appear, although I rather think, from now on, it will be on horseback.” She shot him a measuring glance to see how he would take that. His face was slightly grim but he nodded in acceptance. “Last evening, we went to a small party given by Lady Mailing. Your aunt said there are a few more such gatherings in the next week which we should attend, to give ourselves confidence in society.”
    Max nodded again. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sarah avoid yet another of Darcy’s invitations to separate from the group. He saw the quick frown which showed fleetingly in his friend’s eyes. Serve him right if the woman drove him mad. But, he knew, Darcy was made of sterner stuff. The business of keeping his wards out of the arms of his friends was going to be deucedly tricky. Returning to contemplation of Miss Twinning’s delightful countenance, he asked, “Has Aunt Augusta got you vouchers for Almack’s yet?”
    “Yes. We met Lady Sefton and Lady Cowper on our first drive in the Park.”
    Appreciating his aunt’s strategy, Max grinned. “Trust Aunt Augusta.”
    Caroline returned his smile. “She’s been very good to us.”
    Thinking that the unexpected company of four lively young women must have been a shock to his aunt’s system, Max made a mental note to do anything in his power to please his aunt Benborough.
    They had taken a circuitous route through the Park and only now approached the fashionable precincts. The small group almost immediately swelled to what, to Max, were alarming proportions, with every available gentleman clamouring for an introduction to his beautiful wards. But, to his surprise, at a nod from Caroline, the girls obediently brought their mounts closer and refused every attempt to draw them further from his protective presence. To his astonishment, they all behaved with the utmost decorum, lightened, of course, by their natural liveliness but nevertheless repressively cool to any who imagined them easy targets. Despite his qualms, he was impressed. They continued in