“Yes?”
“Would you care to promenade in the park? It’s quite pleasant today, and it seems a waste not to enjoy being outside.”
He watched as her eyes sparkled with delight. “I would like that very much. I must alert Beatrice, my maid. Would you excuse me for a moment?”
“Of course.”
He watched Miss Parker rush up the stairs until he heard a voice behind him.
“Lord Easton, do you require something?”
He turned around. “Lady Fletcher, I feel I should inform you that Fletcher has given me permission to court Miss Parker.”
“Oh, how delightful.”
“I’ve asked her to promenade with me today. I was going to ask if you’d care to join us?”
She shook her head. “Not today. I think it would be good for you two to chat privately.”
“You do?”
She nodded. “Yes, I do.”
Before he could ask her to elaborate, Miss Parker and her maid came down the stairs. “Lord Easton is taking me to Hyde Park,” she said to her sister.
“Yes, dearest. He told me. Have a lovely walk.”
Easton held out his arm, and Miss Parker slipped her hand in the crook of his elbow. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.”
They walked along the sidewalk with Beatrice following a few steps behind. It was still a bit early for most of thetonto be promenading, which suited Easton. He didn’t want to be interrupted every few minutes by acquaintances who wished to talk about this or that. He was on a mission today, and he wanted no distractions along the way.
They walked through the gate.
“May we see if the swans are here today?” Miss Parker asked.
“Of course.”
“Thank you. They’re usually over there,” she said, pointing to the far bank. Beatrice stayed back by the bench while they walked to the river’s edge.
When they first arrived at the bank, there was no sign of the swans, and Easton heard Miss Parker sigh. “I’m sorry they’re not here today. I do know how much you love seeing them.”
“They’re so majestic.”
“They are indeed.”
There were a myriad of ducks with their ducklings to watch, and Easton loved seeing the joy on Miss Parker’s face. It seemed fate was on his side, as a pair of swans landed on the Serpentine and glided toward them.
“They came!” Miss Parker squealed in delight.
“They did. Did you know that swans mate for life?”
“I did not.”
“Yes. Once they find their mate, they’re inseparable.”
Miss Parker giggled. “Do you think they have a marriage ceremony? You know, with the other swans watching.”