them to the return of the young girls.
John could not resist teasing Sarah, with whom he had a brotherly relationship. “I think I’d rather face Napoleon’s legions again than an angry London mob. And only think of the shame if one failed—imagine having lost a battle to a ragtag gang of civilians armed mostly with staves and rocks. Ugh!”
“That is horrible. Why would the king’s troops have to do battle with the people of London?” Sarah’s knitted brow and fretful tone caused her father’s eyes to narrow with concern as he studied her face.
It was Jennifer who responded first. “The mob is hungry, and angry at the profligacy of the Regent. Only think how many could be fed on his extravagant architectural projects.”
“Very true, Jennifer.” The duke gave her an approving nod before turning to reassure his daughter. “I seriously doubt His Majesty’s troops could be overcome by such a mob. And I expect these reviews do much to remind the mob not to make the attempt. Doubtless that is their purpose, at least as much as to drill the troops, wouldn’t you say, John?”
Seeing that his little cousin was genuinely distressed, John hastened to reassure her. But after the ladies had departed, he turned, perplexed, to the duke.
“What was that all about? Thought Sarah was still wearing the willow for Allensby, yet here she is acting as if her true love were serving in the guards?”
“I don’t know, but I mean to find out,” the duke replied. “They were invited by a young man she met last year and his friend. Do you remember Lord Alexander Meade?”
John nodded. “Indeed I do, an attractive and personable young man.”
The perplexed duke mused, “I had no idea that anyone had made the least impression on her last year. Perhaps it is the other one. But she could hardly have formed a
tendre
for him in one meeting, could she have?”
“I wish I could relieve your mind and say no, Justin, but I believe I have contrived to do just that for Miss Silverton. Did you see how quickly she comprehended the significance of my political position? And how aware she is of the things going on here in the city? Beauty allied to intelligence. I confess I have always found it an enticing combination, perhaps because so rarely found.”
“I am beginning to think that tumbling head over heels in love at first sight runs in this family’s blood.” Harwood shook his head ruefully. “It is a dangerous business. Check on Lord Alexander Meade for me, will you? And the other one. I forget his name, but you’ll meet him tomorrow.”
“Absolutely.” John stood and stretched, a wistful smile twisting his lips. “I expect that by tomorrow Lady Cornwall will have asked the very same thing about me of whomever she trusts with her affairs.”
***
Deborah had no one to whom she could entrust her affairs but herself. She lay awake long into the night, pondering the events of the day, worrying over the three young men Jennifer had just met. She almost wished Sarah hadn’t spent the night, so that she could have spoken with her daughter about them right away.
She feared that each of the three in his own way was ineligible, and Jennifer must be warned. If only she could find a man like the Duke of Harwood for her daughter!
She curbed her impatience to confer with Jennifer, however. How could she regret Sarah’s visit, when the pert blonde was filling Jenny with practical information about dealing with the
ton.
Also, she was building Jenny’s self-confidence almost every second the two were together. No, she could be private with her daughter tomorrow.
Let the girls giggle together all night, Deborah smiled to herself, remembering the long, long ago days when she had been that carefree.
***
When the duke and his secretary arrived at the Cornwall town house the next day, the footman who answered the door, and the butler who sauntered out to see who had called, both struck him as unkempt and rather surly—that is,
John could not resist teasing Sarah, with whom he had a brotherly relationship. “I think I’d rather face Napoleon’s legions again than an angry London mob. And only think of the shame if one failed—imagine having lost a battle to a ragtag gang of civilians armed mostly with staves and rocks. Ugh!”
“That is horrible. Why would the king’s troops have to do battle with the people of London?” Sarah’s knitted brow and fretful tone caused her father’s eyes to narrow with concern as he studied her face.
It was Jennifer who responded first. “The mob is hungry, and angry at the profligacy of the Regent. Only think how many could be fed on his extravagant architectural projects.”
“Very true, Jennifer.” The duke gave her an approving nod before turning to reassure his daughter. “I seriously doubt His Majesty’s troops could be overcome by such a mob. And I expect these reviews do much to remind the mob not to make the attempt. Doubtless that is their purpose, at least as much as to drill the troops, wouldn’t you say, John?”
Seeing that his little cousin was genuinely distressed, John hastened to reassure her. But after the ladies had departed, he turned, perplexed, to the duke.
“What was that all about? Thought Sarah was still wearing the willow for Allensby, yet here she is acting as if her true love were serving in the guards?”
“I don’t know, but I mean to find out,” the duke replied. “They were invited by a young man she met last year and his friend. Do you remember Lord Alexander Meade?”
John nodded. “Indeed I do, an attractive and personable young man.”
The perplexed duke mused, “I had no idea that anyone had made the least impression on her last year. Perhaps it is the other one. But she could hardly have formed a
tendre
for him in one meeting, could she have?”
“I wish I could relieve your mind and say no, Justin, but I believe I have contrived to do just that for Miss Silverton. Did you see how quickly she comprehended the significance of my political position? And how aware she is of the things going on here in the city? Beauty allied to intelligence. I confess I have always found it an enticing combination, perhaps because so rarely found.”
“I am beginning to think that tumbling head over heels in love at first sight runs in this family’s blood.” Harwood shook his head ruefully. “It is a dangerous business. Check on Lord Alexander Meade for me, will you? And the other one. I forget his name, but you’ll meet him tomorrow.”
“Absolutely.” John stood and stretched, a wistful smile twisting his lips. “I expect that by tomorrow Lady Cornwall will have asked the very same thing about me of whomever she trusts with her affairs.”
***
Deborah had no one to whom she could entrust her affairs but herself. She lay awake long into the night, pondering the events of the day, worrying over the three young men Jennifer had just met. She almost wished Sarah hadn’t spent the night, so that she could have spoken with her daughter about them right away.
She feared that each of the three in his own way was ineligible, and Jennifer must be warned. If only she could find a man like the Duke of Harwood for her daughter!
She curbed her impatience to confer with Jennifer, however. How could she regret Sarah’s visit, when the pert blonde was filling Jenny with practical information about dealing with the
ton.
Also, she was building Jenny’s self-confidence almost every second the two were together. No, she could be private with her daughter tomorrow.
Let the girls giggle together all night, Deborah smiled to herself, remembering the long, long ago days when she had been that carefree.
***
When the duke and his secretary arrived at the Cornwall town house the next day, the footman who answered the door, and the butler who sauntered out to see who had called, both struck him as unkempt and rather surly—that is,
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