park.”
“Do you live with your family?” Grandmama asked.
“No, ma’am. My three cousins, all girls, live with my mother.”
Lucy returned her attention to him but kept silent.
“You made no mention of your father,” Grandmama said.
“He died a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. Why do you not live with your mother?” Grandmama said.
“Grandmama, we should not pry.”
“It’s not a deep, dark secret,” he said. “My mother is strong-willed, and I find we get along better when we are not in each other’s pockets.”
“Ah,” Grandmama said. “Then you must be equally as strong-willed as your mother.”
He laughed. “Only when warranted, I assure you.”
“Are your cousins very young?” Grandmama asked.
“No, they range in age from nineteen to twenty-one.”
“None have married?” Grandmama asked.
“Not yet,” he said. “My mother is determined to find them all suitable husbands, but there’s no rush.”
Lucy figured his mother was equally anxious to pair him with a genteel young lady with a generous marriage portion. Then, remembering Grandmama’s rebuke about cynicism, she vowed to work on her attitude. There was nothing to be gained by viewing life with a negative perspective.
“Your mother must care very much for them,” Grandmama said.
“Yes, she took my cousins in when their parents died in a carriage accident.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Grandmama said.
“It happened long ago,” he said. “My mother is fond of the girls and so am I.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Grandmama said. “Have you always lived in London?”
“Only part of the year—during the spring season.”
“Grandmama,” Lucy said. “We should not press him.”
“I take no offense,” he said.
“Do you have business in London?” Grandmama asked.
“Yes, I do,” he said.
“What sort of business is it?” Grandmama said.
Lucy’s cheeks grew hot. “Really, we should not inquire about his business.”
He laughed. “Mrs. Longmore, have you and your granddaughter always lived in London?”
“Oh no. We hail from Westbury in the county of Wiltshire.”
“Ah, you must have visited Stonehenge.”
“No, we have not had the privilege,” Lucy said. “To be honest, the only journey we have ever undertaken was the one that led us to London. This is our home now.”
“I particularly thank you for the history of the park. It was quite diverting,” Grandmama said. “From all appearances, you’re a prosperous gentleman.”
“Many consider me lucky.”
“You needn’t be modest,” Lucy said. “Doubtless you have worked hard for your success.”
There was no hint of amusement in his expression when he met her gaze. “Three months ago, my uncle passed, and I inherited the property. His untimely death was completely unexpected. He was like a father to me.”
Lucy’s heart sank. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Far too many people offer congratulations on the inheritance.”
He took a deep breath as if steeling himself.
Earlier, he’d said he had something to tell her. “Is something wrong?” Lucy said.
“No, but I inherited more than property,” he said. “I inherited my uncle’s ducal title.”
The fine hairs at the nape of Lucy’s neck stiffened. She covered her mouth.
His eyes registered disappointment.
Surely he’d known his words would stun them. She set her hand in her lap. “Why did you not tell us sooner?” The moment the words popped out, she realized her tone held an accusation, but he ought to have told them when he’d requested an introduction to her grandmother.
His expression turned cold. “I made it clear I had something to tell you after we toured the park.”
Lucy curled her nails into her palms. “You concealed an important fact about yourself.” How dare he make himself agreeable and then announce he held one of the highest titles in the land as if it were an afterthought. “You misled us.”
“I did
“Do you live with your family?” Grandmama asked.
“No, ma’am. My three cousins, all girls, live with my mother.”
Lucy returned her attention to him but kept silent.
“You made no mention of your father,” Grandmama said.
“He died a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. Why do you not live with your mother?” Grandmama said.
“Grandmama, we should not pry.”
“It’s not a deep, dark secret,” he said. “My mother is strong-willed, and I find we get along better when we are not in each other’s pockets.”
“Ah,” Grandmama said. “Then you must be equally as strong-willed as your mother.”
He laughed. “Only when warranted, I assure you.”
“Are your cousins very young?” Grandmama asked.
“No, they range in age from nineteen to twenty-one.”
“None have married?” Grandmama asked.
“Not yet,” he said. “My mother is determined to find them all suitable husbands, but there’s no rush.”
Lucy figured his mother was equally anxious to pair him with a genteel young lady with a generous marriage portion. Then, remembering Grandmama’s rebuke about cynicism, she vowed to work on her attitude. There was nothing to be gained by viewing life with a negative perspective.
“Your mother must care very much for them,” Grandmama said.
“Yes, she took my cousins in when their parents died in a carriage accident.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Grandmama said.
“It happened long ago,” he said. “My mother is fond of the girls and so am I.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Grandmama said. “Have you always lived in London?”
“Only part of the year—during the spring season.”
“Grandmama,” Lucy said. “We should not press him.”
“I take no offense,” he said.
“Do you have business in London?” Grandmama asked.
“Yes, I do,” he said.
“What sort of business is it?” Grandmama said.
Lucy’s cheeks grew hot. “Really, we should not inquire about his business.”
He laughed. “Mrs. Longmore, have you and your granddaughter always lived in London?”
“Oh no. We hail from Westbury in the county of Wiltshire.”
“Ah, you must have visited Stonehenge.”
“No, we have not had the privilege,” Lucy said. “To be honest, the only journey we have ever undertaken was the one that led us to London. This is our home now.”
“I particularly thank you for the history of the park. It was quite diverting,” Grandmama said. “From all appearances, you’re a prosperous gentleman.”
“Many consider me lucky.”
“You needn’t be modest,” Lucy said. “Doubtless you have worked hard for your success.”
There was no hint of amusement in his expression when he met her gaze. “Three months ago, my uncle passed, and I inherited the property. His untimely death was completely unexpected. He was like a father to me.”
Lucy’s heart sank. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” he said. “Far too many people offer congratulations on the inheritance.”
He took a deep breath as if steeling himself.
Earlier, he’d said he had something to tell her. “Is something wrong?” Lucy said.
“No, but I inherited more than property,” he said. “I inherited my uncle’s ducal title.”
The fine hairs at the nape of Lucy’s neck stiffened. She covered her mouth.
His eyes registered disappointment.
Surely he’d known his words would stun them. She set her hand in her lap. “Why did you not tell us sooner?” The moment the words popped out, she realized her tone held an accusation, but he ought to have told them when he’d requested an introduction to her grandmother.
His expression turned cold. “I made it clear I had something to tell you after we toured the park.”
Lucy curled her nails into her palms. “You concealed an important fact about yourself.” How dare he make himself agreeable and then announce he held one of the highest titles in the land as if it were an afterthought. “You misled us.”
“I did
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