Love Birds of Regent's Park Read Online Free PDF Page B

sure you’re right.”
    “ Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”
    A smile tugged at Lucy’s lips. Some things never changed.
    The carriage pulled up to the gate. The groom opened the carriage door and assisted the women out.
    She turned toward the driver. “Carlton, w ould you wait just down the lane a bit? We’ll be here for a little while.”
    “ Certainly, miss.”
    Anna grasped Lucy’s arm as they headed toward the gate. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves quieted as the carriage drew further away. If only Anna would give her some breathing room. There must be something to take her attention so Lucy might have a chance to converse again with Mr. Barrow.
    If he were even there.
    A deep voice from behind them startled her. “Ah, Miss Ashbrook. Lovely to see you here.”
    Lucy gasped in delight. He was there! A tug at her sleeve drew her attention away from the most arresting brown eyes she’d ever seen.
    Out of the corner of her mouth, Anna said, “Who is he? Why is he speaking to you?”
    A flicker of dismay settled in Lucy’s stomach. What Anna considered a whisper was always more of a thunderclap. So, of course, Mr. Barrow had to have heard the question.
    “ Pardon me, dear lady.” He stepped toward Anna. “I have indeed had the pleasure of meeting Miss Ashbrook. Yesterday, in fact. I also made the acquaintance of her unfortunate hat.”
    Anna’s eyes grew round. “What are you speaking of? Her hat?” She backed away as if Mr. Barrow meant her harm, dragging Lucy toward a bench. The very same bench where Lucy had first met him. Anna yanked her down and sat next to her.
    “ Lucy, the gall of that man. A laborer, speaking of your personal apparel. Insinuating that he is your acquaintance.”
    “ But… he is. You see—”
    “ What? You’ve engaged in conversation with him? Oh no, that will never do. Never at all. Your father would be livid.”
    “ But—”
    “Y ou need to meet and marry someone worthy of you. Why he’s just… just…”
    “ A very kind man.” As opposed to Conrad. Why oh why does Father seem intent upon marrying me off to that toad? She cared not a whit about titles and money. Marrying a common laborer such as Mr. Barrow would be vastly superior.
    Anna lowered her brows. “Surely you don’t have an interest in him?”
    “ You see—”
    “ Lucy! You cannot be serious.”
    “ Watch your voice, please. He can hear you.” Glancing toward Mr. Barrow, Lucy’s face flamed. Oh yes, he’d heard. With crossed arms and a gleeful smile on his face, he pointedly stared. At her. Well, there’d be no secret now that she’d been thinking about him since yesterday.
    Wait. Where is he going? Mr. Barrow, with his brown eyes, broad shoulders, and adorable dimple, turned and headed up the path toward a small outbuilding.
    Was that it? He’d overheard Anna’s words, surmised, albeit correctly , that Lucy had an interest in him and then left ?
    Fuming, Lucy faced Anna, determined not to give Mr. Barrow the courtesy of even glancing his direction. How rude. How gauche . Perhaps Anna was correct, and such a man was not fit company for her.
    And more to the point, if he —
    Steps pattered again on the path.
    No. I won’t look. I won’t! But her head seemed of its own volition to pivot until once again his brown eyes were in her line of sight. Who was that older man with him?
    The two men stopped in front of the bench. The other man smiled at Lucy, but when his gaze fell on Anna, his eyes lit up. Lucy’s glance at Anna showed her an identical expression on the older woman’s face. Looking from one to the other, Lucy shook her head. It was as if lightning had struck that very spot, drawing together two people who’d never before laid eyes on each other.
    And from their expre ssions, they liked what they observed. The man stood taller and straightened his shoulders. Anna adjusted her hat, even though it hadn’t needed it.
    The couple stared at each other, not blinking. Lucy had