Wick’s jaw tightened. ‘Their second. The last time was nearly a decade ago.’
‘But your sisters would have been so young then... Still in the nursery.’
He nodded sharply. They had all been too young to be left in his care. ‘Despite having a menagerie on Animal Island, my father doesn’t believe in domesticating wild beasts. He only purchases animals that have already been taken out of their environment by travelling groups or wealthy peers. His trips to Africa, then and now, are to return the poor creatures to the wild. And my mother goes with him. Mostly because they do not like to be parted, but also because she’s hoping to find a new plants or herbs to use in her perfumes. She has her own perfume company and a shop on Bond Street. She blends the new scents herself.’
Lady Louisa gave him another dazzling grin. ‘I had no idea a lady could have her own business. How very thrilling!’
Wick tried not to return her smile, but his lips kept quirking upwards of their own volition. ‘It is not precisely favourable in the eyes of theton, but Mama comes from a trade background. Our maternal grandfather is one of the wealthiest tradesmen in England. There’s not a banker or a broker in London who doesn’t know his name. Or owe him money. I daresay we would all be shunned by society if Mama wasn’t such good friends with the Prince Regent. She blends a cologne just for him, and usually sends him a bottle every month. Before she went to Africa she delivered Prinny a whole case.’
Lady Louisa fluttered her eyelashes and her green eyes seemed to sparkle in the candlelight. ‘What a marvellous family you have, my lord.’
‘That’s not the exact word I would use to describe it,’ he said ruefully.
‘Oh, butIwould,’ she said. ‘I would...’
And he believed her. Lady Louisa seemed to fit perfectly into his crazy family. Perhaps a little too perfectly. Dancing with her had proved disastrous. Instead of curing him of his obsession with her, it had only stoked his passion. Talking with her... Touching her... He wanted her more than ever. Wanted her breathless and blushing in his arms. He imagined himself kissing her every freckle, one by one.
‘I think we had better call it a night,’ Mrs May said with a yawn. ‘Lady Louisa and I have a journey in the morning.’
Relieved by the housekeeper’s distraction, Wick left Lady Louisa’s side and offered his hand to Mrs May to help her to her feet.
‘You’re such a thoughtful man, my lord.’
He was thinking of Lady Louisa entirely too much.
He could hardly wait to be rid of her tomorrow.
Chapter Ten
Despite Lord Cheswick’s reassuring words the previous night, Louisa felt anxious about seeing her mother’s brother and his family. Her stomach roiled uncomfortably as the Marquess’s carriage ambled over the country roads. She patted her curls, hoping that her family would approve of her...that her Aunt and Uncle Laybourne would help her gain her fortune and have the debut her mother had always dreamed of for her.
Lady Frederica, Lady Becca and Lady Helen, with a new, smaller snake, had all offered to accompany her. But Mrs May had been firm, telling them that there was not enough room in the carriage and they must stay at home.
Lord Cheswick sat across from her. He looked awfully handsome. He was so tall, and his build so muscular. The whiskers down the side of his cheeks framed his strong jaw and chiselled cheeks, even when he was frowning. She couldn’t help but steal several glances at him. His mere presence gave her both strength and resolve.
She wished he could be one of her potential suitors, but he’d been quite adamant whilst they’d been dancing the night before that he would not. Yet he had pulled her close to him. His body had pressed against hers and everywhere they’d met she had burned with an unknown need. She had longed to touch his skin with her own. His lips with hers.
‘Are you quite well?’ he asked now.
Louisa could feel a blush growing from her neck into her face. She’d been caught staring at him.
How embarrassing!
‘Only a little nervous, my lord,’ she said, turning her gaze towards Mrs May. ‘I can only hope that my uncle’s family is as open and caring as your own.’
Mrs May’s eyes seemed to dance. She glanced from Louisa to Lord Cheswick and then back again. The housekeeper was clearly aware of Louisa’s attraction to the young Marquess. Louisa could only be glad that the kindly older woman could not see her most intimate thoughts.
‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘But hopefully without reptiles or camel leopards.’
‘Snakes are quite useful in the kitchens and in the cellar, my lord,’ Mrs May said matter-of-factly. ‘We have no problem with mice, thanks to Lady Helen’s pets.’
Lord Cheswick gave a shudder that Louisa assumed was revulsion. Despite adoring Helen, Louisa found she was not fond of snakes either.
Straightening her new gown, Louisa was glad that at least she would not be facing her mother’s brother in leftover curtain cloth. Mrs May had found her a gown that had once belonged to the Marquess’s oldest sister, the Duchess of Glastonbury, and had altered it cleverly to fit Louisa’s frame. The housekeeper had apologised that it was several years out of fashion, but to Louisa it was the finest piece of clothing she’d ever possessed.
The town of Sherborne looked as if it belonged in the medieval past. She loved the stone buildings, whitewashed cottages, and the impressive abbey with its pointed windows. Louisa had never been to a large town before, and she hadn’t realised how noisy they were. People, animals and carriages...all were going about their business. She was enjoying watching them from the window and was a little dismayed when the carriage came to a stop.
Lord Cheswick opened the door and assisted Louisa and Mrs May out. The Canon of Sherborne’s house was large, without being ostentatious, but it was small compared to Hampford Castle. When a servant opened the door, the Marquess handed the man his card. The butler blinked, before opening the door wider and ushering them all into a formal parlour. Louisa assumed that future dukes were not left waiting on the doorstep to see if the family was at home or not.