Millie glanced over her shoulder and found her brother-in-law Adrian.
“Nothing like that,” she replied hastily. “Morning calls are over, thank heavens.”
“I know.” Adrian grinned. “Why do you think I emerged from my study?”
She shared his conspiratorial smile. “Iknewyou were purposely staying away.”
“In my defense, no one who called this morning had any desire to seeme.” He studied her for a silent moment. “Feeling a little hemmed in, are you?”
“I don’t wish to appear ungrateful.” She hoped the look she gave him appeared properly demure, though she hadn’t Lenora’s gift for purposeful transformation.
“Please.” Adrian laughed out loud. “You don’t have to perform for me. When I married Eliza, I married her for herself, and I was well aware she would never abandon her sisters. Besides, if anyone should be grateful, it should be me, not you. You and your sisters have embraced mine as one of your own.”
“You may regret having Emily become an honorary Wainwright. Right now, the three of them are in there drawing pictures of—” She stopped herself. As personable as Adrian could be, he might not react well to the knowledge that both Lenora and Nettie had set their caps for two of his friends. “Well, their ideal beaus.”
He smirked. “Quelle horreur! And where is my wife?”
“With Mrs. Vane. Both of them equally flummoxed by pianos, garlands, and”—she waved her hand dramatically through the air—“light.”
“Whereas you…?”
“Are definitivelynot.”
“La pauvre.” Adrian nodded sympathetically. “I recognized that expression you had when I first came into the room. You’re itching to get out, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she confided, relieved someone understood and sympathized without her having to explain. How odd, from a man.
“Well, I have a meeting with my solicitors this afternoon, so I can’t ride with you. I can, however, take you over to Harbury’s on my way. Perhaps spending the afternoon with Cassie would be better than milling away your time at the window?”
Doubtful.
Heaven help her if, for instance, she showed up unannounced and caught the duke brushing her sister’s hair! On the other hand, any chance to be out-of-doors for a spell was too tempting to deny.
“Are you planning on taking the curricle?” she asked hopefully.
“I wasn’t.” He chuckled. “A mite cold out there today.” He shuddered. “But I will, if you wish.”
She grinned back at him. “I do wish! I will get my warmest coat and hat!”
She went upstairs, put on a fur-lined coat, hat, and her thickest gloves. Then, she returned. She met Adrian on the street, where the curricle was ready and waiting, with high steppers attached and already nodding impatiently, eager to show off their abilities.
The conveyance—purchased so Adrian could drive his new lady about the park—was a splendid piece of equipment. Well-sprung. A true beauty. And, though the temperature might be a tad low, the sun was bright.
Adrian helped her into the carriage before climbing up himself. He then arranged a fine blanket of lambskin over her legs.
“Thank you,” she said politely. “You’re very thoughtful.”
“Nice of you to say so.” He spared her a quick glance. “I haven’t always been.”
So she’d heard, but she couldn’t imagine he’d ever been as reclusive as people said. In fact, though she stood by her low opinion of most peers, she made an exception for him. He was—what term had Emily used?—bon homme. A good sort of fellow.
She ran her hand over the wool. “What a warm blanket this is!”
“Bought special for Eliza.” He took the reins from the groom. “Can’t have my wife’s feet get cold. Yours, either, for that matter.” He leaned forward. “Ready?”
Just beneath Adrian’s hat, Millie noticed a tell-tale tangle in the back of his locks. She harrumphed.
“Problem?” he queried.