Wanton Widows: Three Short Regency Romps Read Online Free PDF Page A

her hand in his said, “Lady Helena Tremoyne, will you
do me the honour of becoming my wife?” He smiled in his beguiling way.
    This time, she couldn’t help but return his
smile. “As soon as I have made my decision, I will inform you, but it may take
a week or two. Now we must get to know each other and to achieve that there are
some social events to which I would like you to accompany me.”
    “I am at your disposal, Lady Helena.” He
flashed another charming smile.
    “Good. Do you have a carriage?”
    “No.”
    “Never mind, I have two. This afternoon you
will accompany me in my landau for the circuit around Hyde Park, at the
fashionable hour.”
    “I will?” He looked bemused.
    “You shall. Please arrive promptly.” She held
the door open for him. “Goodbye for now.”
     
    At Hyde Park, Helena found herself sharing her
carriage with a popular man. Although he hadn’t been an acquaintance of hers,
he appeared to be one of almost everyone else in the park – many of them his
relations – although he was an only child of an only child. It was a far
different outcome from that achieved by many of her former suitors. They had
been shunned for being outright fortune-hunters.
    An hour later they escaped the crush of
vehicles. “Gunter’s, please,” Helena called to her driver.
    One notable suitor had accompanied her there
only to leave shortly afterwards, complaining that anywhere that was a venue
for the nursery set was not one for him. Helena had waved him on his way and
remained to enjoy her ice, unconcerned by the large number of children being
indulged by their kith and kin.
    Sir Hercules escorted her into the well-known
café, smiling to the left and right at paramours, parents, nursemaids and
children alike. He seated her, then ate his ice with finesse and patiently
waited as she savoured hers.
    Helena said, “Tomorrow, you will take me to
the British Museum. I particularly want to see the new Asante
artefacts .”
    “I will be delighted. I know the head curator,
so perhaps you would like a tour of the back rooms where the pieces too fragile
for display, are kept?” he asked matter-of-factly.
    She would enjoy that.
    Another suitor, Lord Nicholas Fothergill, had
taken half a dozen steps inside the museum and hastily reversed, claiming a
prior engagement. That had given Helena many hours of enjoyment amongst the
exhibitions, without any distraction from an uninterested companion, but Lord
Fothergill had joined the “Failed Suitors’ List”.
    Needless-to-say, her visit to the British
Museum with Sir Hercules was an outstanding success. From his extensive
travels, he had first-hand knowledge of the places from which many items had
arisen, and was an entertaining guide.
    The following afternoon they visited the Tower
of London and its zoo. Sir Hercules earned her undying admiration for resisting
the urge, which Earl Tamar had not, to run his walking stick along the bars of
the lions’ cage, causing anxiety and mayhem for the animals.
    In the afternoon, Helena took Sir Hercules
shopping with her on Bond Street. The outing was usually a particularly taxing
one for her suitors. She had returned from the fitting room of Madame Couturière’s
to find Lord Snodgrove touching up Madame’s assistant. He also had joined “The
List”. Sir Hercules not only politely ignored the serving staff, but actively
assisted her in the selection of dress designs for her new ball gowns. He remained in the running.
    “A picnic is a wonderful thing when the
weather holds good,” Helena said during the short journey to her Grosvenor
Square residence.
    “It is indeed. Are we to take one?” His voice
showed polite curiosity.
    “Tomorrow at Richmond.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “I look forward to
showing you the lovely river walk.” He assisted her from the carriage and
kissed her hand by way of farewell.
    “And I look forward to taking it.” She caught
herself daydreaming about walking arm-in-arm with Sir Hercules