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.
Al l 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 all owed 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.
Vi vi spoke first. "I received call ers 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. "Individual l y, 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
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.
Al l 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 all owed 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.
Vi vi spoke first. "I received call ers 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. "Individual l y, 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
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