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Authors: Johanna Lindsey
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Grahame.
Chapter Eight
I f an order had been placed, the weather that morning couldn’t have been more perfect. It nearly tripled the amount of riders who were generally found in Hyde Park at such an early hour. Afternoons were the time for promenading, when every conceivable type of carriage could be seen making slow progress along the countrylike lanes. Mornings were reserved for the exercising of stock and body, when one didn’t usually encounter one’s acquaintances and so was not forced to stop repeatedly for conversation, as would happen in the afternoon.
Anthony Malory was resigned to giving up his customary hard gallop through the park that morning in favor of a brisk trot. Not that Reggie wasn’t game, but he doubted her frisky mare could keep up with his powerful stallion, and since she insisted on joining him, he was forced to keep to her pace.
After last night, he had his suspicions as to why she had invited herself along, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss the lady. But when Reggie slowed and reigned in, waving James and Jeremy on, he knew there would be no help for it. The little darling could be uncomfortably persevering at times.
“When I asked to ride with you this morning, I rather thought we would be alone,” Regina began with just the faintest degree of annoyance in her tone. “Jeremy I could understand wanting to come along with us, but Uncle James? He rarely rises before noon.”
Actually, Anthony had pulled brother and nephew out of bed, browbeating and cajoling them into joining him. That ploy hadn’t worked, however, to keep Reggie from her purpose. And blast James. He knew very well the only reason he was along was to keep the conversation impersonal, but there he trotted off, flashing Anthony an amused grin.
Anthony shrugged innocently. “What can I say? James has changed his habits considerably since he became a father. Hasn’t that scoundrel you married done the same?”
“Famous! Why is it you always attack Nicholas when your own behavior has been less than exemplary?” And she jumped right into it. “She’s half Scot, you know.”
He didn’t bother to ask who, but said indifferently. “Is she?”
“They’re known for terrible tempers.”
“All right, puss.” He sighed. “What’s on your mind that you feel obliged to warn me?”
Her brow wrinkled, blue eyes probing blue eyes of a like shade. “Are you interested in her, Tony?”
“Have I died and don’t know it?”
She laughed, unable to help it. “Yes, I suppose that was a silly question. Of course you’re interested—you and a few dozen others. I guess my next question should be, are you going to do anything about it?”
“That, my girl, is none of your business.”
His tone was gentle but firm, and Regina’s frown was back. “I know. But I thought you should learn a little something about her before you make up your mind to pursue her.”
“Is this to be a full history?” he asked dryly.
“Don’t be difficult, Tony. She’s come to London to get married.”
“I’ve already been told that appalling news by the lady herself.”
“You mean you’ve talked to her? When?”
“If you must know, last night in the garden.”
She gasped. “You didn’t—”
“I didn’t.”
Regina let out a sigh, but it was only temporary relief. If knowing Lady Roslynn was actively seeking marriage didn’t put him off, the poor woman was doomed.
“Perhaps you don’t realize how serious she is, Tony. She means to be married by the end of the month. No, you needn’t raise your brows. It’s not that. In fact, she might as well be sixteen for all the experience she has had of men.”
“Now that I won’t believe.”
“There, you see? You don’t know anything about her, and yet you’re contemplating disrupting her life. The truth is, that life has been extremely sheltered until now. She’s been tucked away with her grandfather in the Highlands ever since her parents died, and apparently
Chapter Eight
I f an order had been placed, the weather that morning couldn’t have been more perfect. It nearly tripled the amount of riders who were generally found in Hyde Park at such an early hour. Afternoons were the time for promenading, when every conceivable type of carriage could be seen making slow progress along the countrylike lanes. Mornings were reserved for the exercising of stock and body, when one didn’t usually encounter one’s acquaintances and so was not forced to stop repeatedly for conversation, as would happen in the afternoon.
Anthony Malory was resigned to giving up his customary hard gallop through the park that morning in favor of a brisk trot. Not that Reggie wasn’t game, but he doubted her frisky mare could keep up with his powerful stallion, and since she insisted on joining him, he was forced to keep to her pace.
After last night, he had his suspicions as to why she had invited herself along, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to discuss the lady. But when Reggie slowed and reigned in, waving James and Jeremy on, he knew there would be no help for it. The little darling could be uncomfortably persevering at times.
“When I asked to ride with you this morning, I rather thought we would be alone,” Regina began with just the faintest degree of annoyance in her tone. “Jeremy I could understand wanting to come along with us, but Uncle James? He rarely rises before noon.”
Actually, Anthony had pulled brother and nephew out of bed, browbeating and cajoling them into joining him. That ploy hadn’t worked, however, to keep Reggie from her purpose. And blast James. He knew very well the only reason he was along was to keep the conversation impersonal, but there he trotted off, flashing Anthony an amused grin.
Anthony shrugged innocently. “What can I say? James has changed his habits considerably since he became a father. Hasn’t that scoundrel you married done the same?”
“Famous! Why is it you always attack Nicholas when your own behavior has been less than exemplary?” And she jumped right into it. “She’s half Scot, you know.”
He didn’t bother to ask who, but said indifferently. “Is she?”
“They’re known for terrible tempers.”
“All right, puss.” He sighed. “What’s on your mind that you feel obliged to warn me?”
Her brow wrinkled, blue eyes probing blue eyes of a like shade. “Are you interested in her, Tony?”
“Have I died and don’t know it?”
She laughed, unable to help it. “Yes, I suppose that was a silly question. Of course you’re interested—you and a few dozen others. I guess my next question should be, are you going to do anything about it?”
“That, my girl, is none of your business.”
His tone was gentle but firm, and Regina’s frown was back. “I know. But I thought you should learn a little something about her before you make up your mind to pursue her.”
“Is this to be a full history?” he asked dryly.
“Don’t be difficult, Tony. She’s come to London to get married.”
“I’ve already been told that appalling news by the lady herself.”
“You mean you’ve talked to her? When?”
“If you must know, last night in the garden.”
She gasped. “You didn’t—”
“I didn’t.”
Regina let out a sigh, but it was only temporary relief. If knowing Lady Roslynn was actively seeking marriage didn’t put him off, the poor woman was doomed.
“Perhaps you don’t realize how serious she is, Tony. She means to be married by the end of the month. No, you needn’t raise your brows. It’s not that. In fact, she might as well be sixteen for all the experience she has had of men.”
“Now that I won’t believe.”
“There, you see? You don’t know anything about her, and yet you’re contemplating disrupting her life. The truth is, that life has been extremely sheltered until now. She’s been tucked away with her grandfather in the Highlands ever since her parents died, and apparently
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