My Lady Mischief (12 page)

Then he escorted her back to Lady Prunella's side, where she was introduced to Mrs. Phillipa Cresswell and her daughter, Melinda. A dissatisfied look came over Lord Winnwood's face as he reluctantly escorted Melinda Cresswell into the next set.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Cresswell motioned her nephew, Sir Dudley Smythe, to her side. "Lady Prunella, Lady Althea, and Miss Rawlings. May I present my nephew, Sir Dudley Smythe." Mrs. Cresswell nodded at the handsome young gentleman who towered over them like a wolf amid a flock of sheep.

"Enchanted, Lady Althea." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.

His action appalled Thea. It was not the mode to do other than brush against a lady's hand. His lips were moist and she felt a desire to wipe his touch from her hand. "Thank you, Sir Dudley. You must excuse me, for I see my escort approaching to claim this dance."

She disengaged her hand from his clutch and turned, but Sir Dudley was not to be deterred. "I believe they intend to play a waltz this evening, my lady. Have you already been engaged for it?"

"No. I have not as yet received permission from the patronesses, Sir Dudley."

"Then, may it be my pleasure to sit it out with you?"

Thea was at a loss. She was not sure she liked this man, although with his dark good looks, he was certainly attractive, albeit narcissistic. Why should she avoid him? She nodded in acceptance.

*

Hart, when he arrived with Mack, was disgruntled to find that Thea was the belle of the night. She was surrounded by not just unlicked cubs and nabobs but several gentlemen of his own set as well. This did nothing to improve his temper. At last, deciding to take measures into his own hands, he commanded, "Come along, Mack." The orchestra had just struck up a waltz.

He weaved his way to Lady Prunella's group and bent to whisper in the ear of Lady Sefton. She smiled and took the arm of each of the young men. They walked directly to the throng surrounding Thea, where she was seated beside Sir Dudley and Miss Rawlings.

 
"Lady Althea and Miss Rawlings, may I present two gentlemen who wish to dance. You each have my permission." Lady Sefton nodded happily and shooed them onto the dance floor.

Thea hesitated as she watched Emma blush and allow Mr. McCormack to sweep her into the dance. She had no desire to repeat her waltz with Hart. But, seeing they had an interested audience, she realized refusing would create a scene. Besides, she didn't really care to sit out the dance with Sir Dudley.

When Hart swung her into the waltz and placed his palm upon her back, she thought her heart would cease its beat. The room suddenly became terribly hot and she searched for something to say. "You are quite fortunate, my lord."

"How is that?"

"My aunt had the foresight to hire a dancing master."

"Have you so quickly forgotten our previous waltz, Thea?"

She grinned as she deliberately stepped on his foot. Seeing that he intended to ignore her attempt to annoy him, she elected to concentrate upon a spot just below his chin. Then she blushed, becoming aware it was the very spot where she had snuggled when they'd had their first waltz.

"I've decided to revise my strategy, Thea."

"Indeed?" What new torture had the man now devised?

"Yes. I did not intend to accost you at our last meeting, you know. I will forthwith behave with perfect propriety. Now you need not fear me. What think you of my new plan?"

"It sounds very well, my lord. But how can I trust the word of a rake?"

"By making sure that a chaperone accompanies us whenever we are together. I am thinking of putting together a picnic to entertain you. In fact, if you'll bring along Miss Rawlings, I will endeavor to persuade Mack to come as well."

Thea's gaze fluttered to that twosome, who were caught up in the waltz. She frowned. Emma appeared to be enormously enjoying herself. Surely nothing more than friendship had sprung up between her and Mr. McCormack? Ever loyal, Emma would never dream of such a thing, but what of the American? "And who will chaperone them, my lord?"

"Why, we will, of course. If you would feel more comfortable, I can put together a small party. And I am sure Lady Prunella may be prevailed upon to accompany us."

"Thank you, my lord. It sounds lovely."

"Hart. Must I remind you forever?"

Thea peeped up at him. "No, Hart, only when you've fallen from my good graces."

The dance ended. After returning Thea to her chaperone, he spent the balance of the evening propped against the wall and glaring at her many suitors. He was not alone in this endeavor, for Lord Winnwood soon joined him.

*

On the day of the luncheon al fresco, Thea discovered that Hart had included at least twenty-five people in his invitation. In addition to Mr. McCormack, she was greeted by Lord Phillingim, with his mother, Lady Phillingim, and Lord Winnwood. Melinda and Mrs. Cresswell were also in attendance, accompanied by that lady's nephew, Sir Dudley.

Earlier, Hart had unhappily discovered the addition of Smythe and Winnwood to his party. Although he considered them little competition for Thea's favors, he would have preferred none. However, he put this thought aside and presented a cheerful face to his guests.

With considerable enthusiasm the party set off for Richmond Hill. Most of the young people rode on horseback; for those who preferred an easier trip, a traveling coach lumbered behind. After an invigorating ride through the green countryside, they found Lord Hartingfield's servants working industriously setting out tables.

"My lord, you have outdone yourself." Thea laughed. "All this for a picnic?"

"Is this not different from our last outing? I was hoping to impress you with my thoroughness and desire to please you, Thea. Do not tell me I have failed." Hart mugged a frown at her as he slowly helped her from the saddle.

Feeling rather breathless, she stepped out of his grasp and made use of her fan to cool her over-warm countenance.

"I've yet to meet your friend, Hart," a gentleman called out jovially as he strolled to join them. Hartingfield grinned widely at his friend, Lord Harburton, whose arm was possessively held by his intended, Lady Diane.

Once the introductions were performed, they turned to examine the preparations Hart had made. Food had been set out along a long table set with crystal and silver. Additional seating was available to allow more comfort for the older members of the party.

Before long, a rattle of hooves indicated the arrival of the traveling coach and their chaperones. As soon as Lady Prunella exited the coach, Thea darted to her side, followed closely by Hart.

"What think you of Lord Hartingfield's preparations, Aunt?"

"Well done, Hartingfield." Lady Prunella nodded at him with pleasure on her face.

"Thank you, Madam. It is my hope to please you. Might I have your permission to take your niece to see the view?" He turned to Thea. "I have a surprise in store for you."

She cast him a distrustful look as her aunt replied, "That sounds delightful, doesn't it, Thea?"

Thea made a great show of peering at a nearby grouping of trees. "I find the view right here quite lovely."

"Lydia and I plan a prolonged
tete-á-tete"
Lady Prunella's voice was filled with warning. "And you won't wish to miss Lord Hartingfield's surprise." She turned to Lady Phillingim. After seeing that Thea made no move, she turned back and flung out her hands in a shooing motion. "Run along."

Thea had no choice but allow Hart to take her arm. Emma and McCormack were ahead in the distance so they joined Lord Harburton and Lady Diane. The foursome strolled a short distance to see the view.

It was incredible. From the top of a rounded barrow, the countryside spread out below for miles around. The Thames wound softly through a mix of grand houses and thatched huts dotting the embankment.

For a moment Thea imagined she was a bird circling the skies, when a distant building caught her attention. "Why, it can't be." She pointed ahead. "That looks exactly like St. Paul's Cathedral!"

Hart laughed. "That is St. Paul's, Thea. And rumor has it that from this very place, King Henry VIII waited for the rocket announcing the death of Anne Boleyn." He didn't speak for several moments, caught up in the beauty of the panorama. "Do you like my surprise?"

How could she express in words how much she appreciated it? She met his gaze and smiled at him. His eyes reflected pleasure at the sight of her happiness and it was difficult to look away from him, despite the temptation of the view.

It was considerate of him to arrange an outing like this. Emma had thought to bring along their drawing implements, and, although Thea wasn't an accomplished artist, it would be entertaining to attempt sketching the view.

She was beginning to blush at Hart's intent gaze when Mack and Emma strolled over to join them. Lady Diane, Thea, and Emma leaned against an enormous elm tree. Harburton, Mack, and Hart stood talking in low voices.

"Isn't this heavenly?" Emma asked, but she looked at the men rather than the vista.

Lady Diane, too, watched the men. With a sigh she responded, "Yes, simply lovely."

Thea smiled at the two young women who were more interested in the men than in any scenery, no matter how breathtaking. "After our ride I'm famished." Thea raised her voice, "Hart? When will we dine?"

"Whenever you like, my lady." He offered his arm to her and called over his shoulder as they strolled, "Come everyone, we'd better eat before our charming companions become faint for lack of sustenance."

"I'm sure it hasn't yet reached that point." Thea wasn't sure whether to be amused that he wished to please her or annoyed by his joke at her expense. "I am, however, looking forward to discovering the delicacies you have arranged for us."

"Ah, so you aren't faint?" asked Hart teasingly. "If so, I can call for a footman to bring you a biscuit."

"Very amusing. I think I can safely make it the few steps back without need for reinforcement or a battalion of footmen prepared to carry me on the least provocation. However, if I may be so bold, I'm concerned because you, my lord, appear a bit peckish. I shall lend you my arm should you need support."

Hart laughed. "Thank you. How astute you are for noticing my feeble clues. I am reassured that I can count on you for my comfort."

It was in this merry mood that they returned to the picnic site. Thea saw that Melinda and Mrs. Cresswell were already seated at the head of the table where Hart would sit. Judging by Hart's raised brow, some rearranging of place cards had been done by the Cresswells.

When their group passed by Miss Cresswell, who had obviously set her cap at Lord Hartingfield, she looked pleased she'd found a way to separate him from Thea.

The lunch was delicious, although the most formal picnic Thea had ever attended. Throughout the meal, she kept a sharp eye on Hart at the far end of the table.

Miss Cresswell's actions were annoying. The young woman giggled constantly, batted her lashes at Hart continually, and drat if her hand wasn't always creeping over to cover his! Thea narrowed her eyes and glared at him. The cad appeared to be enraptured.

Determined to put him out of her mind, she looked to the gentlemen beside her for distraction. On her left sat Lord Winnwood, who persisted in sending her soulful looks, and on her right was Sir Dudley, who irritated her with inane flattery. In order to shorten the conversation with her tablemates, she ate far more than she should have and her limbs became heavy.

Sir Dudley leaned toward her, with an eye on their host as well. "Lord Hartingfield graciously provided blankets for his guests, Lady Althea. May I obtain one for you to sit upon while you sketch our enjoyable surroundings?"

Thea peeked at Hart. He loomed over Miss Cresswell and appeared to be getting quite an eyeful. What a cur! "An excellent suggestion, Sir Dudley." Perhaps he might be a possible spouse. His looks were such that any young lady might feel herself honored to have
caught his fancy. She would add his name to her list of eligibles.

She faced Lady Prunella, just across the table, and asked, "Aunt, may I?"

Aunt Prunella also glanced at the marquess, meeting his eye, before answering, "Very well, Thea. Don't wander too far."

Hart watched their departure with a worried look on his brow, and she turned her head to make a point of giving her undivided attention to Sir Dudley.

Taking up blanket and sketching materials, Sir Dudley shot a satisfied look at Mrs. Cresswell. He led Thea to a glade beside a small pond, perhaps a little farther away than called for by strict propriety.

He spread the blanket, then she took a seat and sorted through her drawing paper. After several minutes of complete silence, she looked up to find Lord Dudley examining his reflection in the pond. She watched as he reached a hand up to smooth his hair and adjust his cravat.

Once he seemed satisfied with his appearance, he joined her by the blanket to watch her sketch.

When a breeze blew up, mussing his hair, Thea half-expected him to go back to the pond to smooth it again. Then, to her relief, she heard Hart's voice.

"I am sure they wandered this way, Miss Rawlings."

"We are just behind the copse, Emma." Thea arose and watched as Hart, McCormack, and Emma rounded the shrubbery.

Hart studied Thea's welcoming expression. "I hope you have been enjoying the day." He saw her smile widen and felt it had been wise to come after her.

"Yes, very much, Lord Hartingfield. Your luncheon has been lovely." Thea placed her hand upon his outstretched arm as he helped her to rise.

Contrary to proper behavior, the Cresswells had brought Smythe along although he hadn't been invited. Hart couldn't help but worry about Thea being alone with such an obvious fortune hunter.

Hart led her a small distance from the others and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "He has not been bothering you, has he?"

"No." Thea peered at him for a moment. "Though I would remind you, I'm quite capable of dealing with him should the occasion arise."

"Good." His face was grim as he continued, "The popinjay wasn't invited. The man's on the lookout for an heiress. Watch out, Thea, he's wasted one fortune already and is on the make for another."