The Season

The words came flooding out of her mouth before she had thought about just how insulting they would be, to both Penelope and to Gavin. Feeling color flood her cheeks, she bit the inside of her cheek, not knowing how to escape from the mess she had so effortlessly created. Instead, she sat quietly, waiting for him to speak, periodically lifting one gloved hand in greeting to one of the hundreds of people who seemed, suddenly, to be crowding around them.

It really wasn't her business, how Blackmoor felt about Penelope. So why did the idea that he enjoyed her company bother her so very much? She pushed the niggling voice to the back of her mind and tried to convince herself that her outburst was only borne of concerned friendship. After all , she didn't want Blackmoor making a decision he could very well regret.

She was his friend. She was concerned. Hence, concerned friendship.

She wished he would say something.

The statement had been offensive, certainly. well , more toward Penelope than to Blackmoor. She hadn't questioned his intelligence. No, I simply questioned the intelligence of the woman he was courting. She started at the thought. He wasn't courting her, was he? He couldn't be. If he were, he wouldn't have had the time to take Alex riding today. He certainly wouldn't have taken her here, to Rotten Row, where they were certain to be seen by anyone and everyone. Of course, no one here would actually believe that she and Blackmoor were a couple. She didn't even have a chaperone with her, for goodness sake. It was clear that they were more like siblings than anything else. all the more reason for her to have expressed her distaste for Penelope. Quite. She'd done the right thing. Even if it smarted a bit.

How was it that men could remain so stoically quiet when they wanted?

She stole a glance at him out of the corner of her eye. He was focused on the traffic around them, his jaw set firmly as he wielded the reins of the pair of lovely tan geldings pulling along the curricle. Gone was the teasing humor that had characterized their afternoon. He was not happy, this much was clear.

What remained to be seen was just how unhappy he was.

The silence was chipping away at her sanity. Truly.

And then, just when she thought he would never speak, he did.

"You do Penelope a discredit."

Of all the things he could have said, this was not the one she had wanted to hear. Guilt began to gnaw at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"You have not witnessed my interactions with Penelope. You have no grasp of her intellect and no understanding of our conversations. Have you?"

"I —" He held up a hand to stop her from speaking.

"Nay, Alexandra. No excuses. Have you any understanding of my relationship with Penelope?"

"No."

"Indeed. You have judged it — and her, I might add — wrongly. Were she here, you would owe her an apology."

Alex flushed, embarrassed, and blinked back the tears that had sprung to her eyes in response to his scolding. He was impassioned and filled with intense affront — all for Penelope's honor. She had no doubt that, were she anyone else, he would have delivered a scathing set-down. Instead, his tone revealed not anger with her opinions but disappointment in her voicing them. all at once, she was aware of his position, not as her friend but as a well -

bred gentleman, defending a woman's honor. And, for a fleeting moment, she couldn't help but envy Penelope just a little. How would it feel to have Blackmoor defend her?

"That said," he pressed on, deliberately ignoring her embarrassment, "you are right about most men. We are, of course, initially drawn to the immediate. To beauty, wealth, youth, what have you. Each of us has our own weakness. But without the rest — the intelligence, the wit, the humor — our attraction is short-lived. At least, mine is. And I am not alone. Of that I am certain."

He had moved past her criticism of Penelope deftly, without all owing for discussion, arguing his side of the debate with cool reason, conceding where necessary, and concluding with an unflappable, quiet certainty.

It was as though her insult had never been uttered. Of course, it had been, and she was going to have to apologize. She grimaced at the thought. She hated apologizing. She took a deep breath. "My apologies. I never meant to imply that Penelope's intellect was inferior."

He smiled, reaching out to tap her on her chin, "Of course you did, Minx. However, I appreciate that it has never been easy for you to apologize, and so I will accept this one without argument." She blushed, chastised, as his eyes narrowed on a point over her shoulder. "Besides, I am not overly fond of certain members of your legion of suitors."

Confused, Alex turned her head to follow his gaze and broke into a broad smile when she saw Lord Stanhope seated high on a beautiful black gelding riding next to the carriage. Stanhope tipped his hat and offered a greeting. "Lord Blackmoor, this is a stunning curricle. I should like one just like it for myself!" Turning to Alex, his voice dropped. "And you are doubly lucky — for you have found the only companion worthy of such transport. Lady Alexandra, as ever, it is a pleasure to see you." He all owed himself a lazy perusal of her attire before continuing, "You are particularly lovely this afternoon ... that color only makes you more beautiful."

Alex looked down at the dark blue riding habit she had donned for her outing, appreciating the rich texture of the fabric and the deep color against her bright skin, and she smiled warmly into Stanhope's glittering brown eyes. Taking in the cut of his dark coat, the perfect knot in his cravat, the tilt of his gleaming black hat, she replied, "Why, thank you, my lord. And you look rather dashing yourself!"

He leaned over with a conspiratorial, flirty whisper: "I took extra care in preparing for this outing, Lady Alexandra. One never knows when one might run into a lady of extraordinary beauty."

She laughed at his bald statement and replied with a shake of her head, "You're incorrigible!"

He joined her in her laughter and turned his attention to Blackmoor. "Your companion seems to think I'm rather more than incorrigible, my lady."

"Indeed," agreed Blackmoor, darkly, "it's not the first word I would use to describe you, Stanhope."

"Come now," Stanhope teased, "you've always enjoyed my exploits in the past, old chap." He turned back to Alex with a wide smile. "After all , what's wrong with a little bit of flirting between friends?"

Alex cut in before Blackmoor could speak, "There's nothing at all wrong with it, Freddie. It's my fault that Blackmoor is in such an ill humor. I'm afraid I've landed him there."

Stanhope responded with feigned shock, "Surely not! You couldn't possibly bring ill humor. shall I tell you why?"

"Please do!" Alex was beginning to really enjoy herself.

Stanhope leaned close. "Too pretty."

Blackmoor rolled his eyes in obvious irritation as Alex's laugh tinkled around them. "Stanhope, don't you have somewhere else to be? Perhaps someone else to ply with your charm and wit?"

His rudeness was undeniable, and Alex felt compelled to speak. "I rather enjoy Lord Stanhope's charm and wit. I find it quite refreshing, honestly."

Stanhope's face broke into a devastatingly handsome grin. «Well said, my lady. However, Lord Blackmoor did win your company this afternoon, and I should hate to take any more of your attention. That said, may I have your permission to call on you on Sunday for a similar excursion?" Reaching for her hand and waggling his eyebrows, he added, "I shall endeavor to be all propriety."

She couldn't control the giggle that escaped her at his silliness and she placed her hand in his, watching as he effortlessly bowed over it despite their awkward positions. "I should like that very much, my lord. Sunday it is."

Stanhope's "Capital" was lost as Blackmoor urged the curricle forward and Alex's hand was wrenched from the other man's grasp. She leaned out the side of the carriage to wave good-bye to her friend, then turned back to her companion. "That wasn't very nice.

Freddie didn't even get a chance to say his farewells."

"Didn't he? I thought he did

that while quite improperly asking you to spend Sunday afternoon with him while you were in the company of another gentleman."

"For goodness sake, Blackmoor, I don't know why it bothers you so much. After all , it's not as though you and I are actually on an outing."

He turned a surprised look on her and waved a hand to indicate their surroundings. "No? How is this not an outing?"

"You know very well what I mean. Certainly we are on an outing. But not in the way that most of these other couples are 'on an outing.' There, look there."

She pointed to a couple walking toward them on the other side of the Row, the eldest son of the Marquess of Budleigh and the youngest daughter of the Earl of Exeter. The young woman was looking at her companion with a look of starry-eyed adoration, and he appeared to be returning her attentions.

"They are courting and, to look at them, they might well be the first match of the season. A good one, too," she added, distracted for a moment by the twosome.

He spoke, shaking her from her reverie. "How does this relate to Stanhope's impropriety?"

"There was nothing improper about Stanhope's behavior, and you know it. You and I look nothing like those two. And everyone who sees us — especially Stanhope, who has been friends with us both for years — knows we're just out for a ride. Not out for a ride."

He looked at her, shaking his head in confusion. "Women truly are strange and unknowable creatures."

She smiled at him, color high on her cheeks. "Indeed. But your kind would not like us quite so much if we were all transparency."

After a few moments of thought, he nodded. "That much is true, Alex. That much is true." They rode along in silence for a few minutes before he pressed, "So, are you... intrigued ... by Stanhope?"

"Intrigued by him?"

"Indeed. Do you find him ..." he paused.

"Intriguing?" she teased.

He sent her an exasperated look.

"Lord Stanhope is a good friend and an even better companion. He is entertaining and interesting and intelligent and full of energy. I can think of few others with whom I would like to spend an afternoon. However, you know my opinion of marriage and all of its trappings. I'm not interested in it. Not with Freddie, nor with anyone else. And he knows that as well as anyone, I should think."

"I rather imagine that he's not looking for marriage either," Blackmoor replied drily.

"What does that mean?"

"Simply that men like Stanhope are not the marrying kind. At the risk of repeating our conversation from last night and engaging in an additional verbal battle, I caution you. I know Stanhope. He's rarely after something respectable. Which leaves your good reputation in the balance."

"I shan't repeat our argument, Blackmoor. I will simply remind you that Stanhope and I are friends. We have been for years. Just as you have been, I might remind you. Yes, he's a rake. Yes, he prides himself on his dastardly reputation. But you and I both know that he's more bark than bite, and that he is approximately as likely as you are to do damage to either me or my character." Her tone turned teasing. "If you're all owed to defend Penelope's honor, do I not deserve the same chance to defend Freddie?"

The noncommittal grunt he released was the closest he would come to admitting that Alex was right in this case, but when she heard it she knew she had won. For now.

All owing a few moments to pass, she turned and asked impishly, "Tel me, my lord, in all seriousness, when will I get a chance to drive this gig?"

He laughed before responding, "In all seriousness, my lady, not any time in the near future."

nine

Your mother allowed you to forgo an outing that would have brought you closer to marriage to go riding with Blackmoor?" Ella's eyes were enormous in their amazement.

One side of Alex's mouth turned up. "Indeed. When she asked me who I'd chosen, Gavin stepped in and convinced her it was all for the best because we would see a number of the men in question on our ride, and I could make 'an informed decision by the light of day as to who I would consider a potential husband.' She agreed without protest. It really was quite marvelous. What about you two? How did you fare on the morning after?" Alex looked from Ella to Vivi as they walked across Hyde Park meadow searching for the perfect spot to picnic in the midday sun.

Vivi spoke first. "I received callers all afternoon, which was as uninspiring as one would imagine, considering that both of my aunts swooped in to chaperone the entire event." Alex and Ella groaned in sympathy as Vivi went on. "Individually, they're tolerable, but as a pair, they're completely insufferable. They simpered over every eligible male who entered the house with a complete disregard for personality or motive. It appears all they're hoping for is a heartbeat. I've never been happier to see my father as I was when he came home and ended the whole fiasco."

"So you didn't receive a visit from The One, I'm guessing?" Ella asked drily.

Vivi laughed and shook her head. "I certainly hope not!" Pointing to a sunny rise in the meadow nearby, perfectly situated under an enormous oak, she suggested, "I think that looks like the perfect spot for a picnic."

Alex agreed, "And it's in a line of sight to the entrance to the park, which means Nick and Kit will find us easily."

The girls continued chatting happily as two footmen spread a large square of linen on the warm green grass and set stakes at its corners to anchor it in the spring breeze. One set a large wicker basket that he had carried from the carriage on the edge of the square, stood, and spoke. "My ladies, your picnic is ready."

Vivi turned with a smile. "Thank you, George. And you, John. This is lovely. There's no need for you to stand on ceremony ... please, enjoy this wonderful day." With short bows to the girls, the two footmen moved several yards off to join the girls' ladies' maids, who were acting as chaperones for the afternoon. The servants opened a second basket of food and began their own afternoon luncheon.

The girls had just settled down and started unpacking the picnic basket when they heard a loud noise from across the meadow and saw Nick and Kit running toward them with no regard for decorum. Alex shook her head, watching them. "Boys. A shilling says that Nick challenged Kit to a race."

Ella looked up from her task and grinned. "Kit will win, as always."

"And Nick will pout, as always." Vivi looked out across the meadow in the direction from which the boys had come. "It looks like someone else came with them ..." She squinted in the sunlight to make out the figure. "Is that Lord Stanhope?"

Alex shielded her eyes in the midmorning sun and attempted to make out the features on the young man in the distance. "It certainly is Stanhope.... I had better be careful," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Blackmoor thinks I'm in danger of spending too much time with him."

Ella settled onto the blanket and smoothed her skirts before beginning to unpack the luncheon from the basket. "Yet another double standard. Rakes are too dangerous as companions to women, but when there are other men nearby, they're perfectly acceptable ... as long as they have a title."

Vivi looked at her friend thoughtfully. "I think perhaps Stanhope is a rake willing to be reformed."

"If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting" — Alex stared wide-eyed at her friend —"your brain is obviously addled."

"Think what you will ." Vivi smiled smugly. "I wager I’ll be proven right before the afternoon is through."

A smart retort was left on the tip of Alex's tongue as Kit flew up the rise and nearly crashed into the massive oak. Turning quickly, he leaned back against the tree with his arms crossed and made a show of looking bored as Nick tore up behind him.

"Oh, Nick, you're here at last. We were just wondering what had happened to you."

Nick glared at his brother while he caught his breath. "I’ll get you next time — I didn't eat much of a breakfast today."

"Is that your excuse for all the other times you've lost to him in a footrace?" Alex said teasingly. "Really, Nick ... I should think

you'd have learned your lesson by now. He's faster than you."

Kit smirked at his brother. "See? Even our baby sister knows it."

Taking a glass of lemonade from Ella, Alex continued, "However, given the choice between speed and intelligence, I'd say you made away with the better part of that deal." Everyone laughed at Kit's narrowed eyes and, with a smile, Alex extended a plate of roasted quail to him as a peace offering.

"Did you bring Lord Stanhope with you?" asked Alex. "Or is it coincidence that he's heading in this direction?"

Nick shook his head. "Stanhope called on us this morning at Worthington House. After some conversation, he decided to join us."

Vivi looked straight at Alex and queried innocently, "Oh? He just stopped by Worthington House this morning? By chance?" Alex shot her friend a quelling look. Vivi popped a grape in her mouth and smiled around it. After swallowing, she continued, not looking away from her friend, "How interesting."

Stanhope heard the tail end of the conversation and spoke as he climbed the last few feet of the rise to the picnic blanket. "I hope you don't mind my intrusion, my ladies." Bowing low, he granted the girls one of his trademark lopsided grins, letting his gaze linger on Alex. "When I heard such a trio would be here, I couldn't resist tagging along."

"By all means, Lord Stanhope, there is plenty to be shared, including this lovely spot." Ella spoke from her perch on the corner of the blanket. She had extracted her journal and begun sketching the scenery that lay before them.

"Indeed." The tenor of Stanhope's voice deepened and he winked exaggeratedly at Alex, who couldn't contain her laughter at his obvious flirting. In return, he offered her another broad grin, and seated himself on the blanket, leaning back against the trunk of the oak and accepting an oat cake from a basket proffered by Vivi, who was struggling to keep her smug look unnoticed.

Alex rolled her eyes at her friend and turned so that Vivi wasn't in her direct line of sight. "Lord Stanhope, I seem to recall will saying that you have a talent for art. Is that still the case?"