Wanton Widows: Three Short Regency Romps Read Online Free PDF

beside the
river.
     
    The day dawned fine, but clouds scudded across
the sky threatening rain, as the carriage took them towards the park.
    They picnicked beside the river, watching
swans glide across the Thames. Sir Hercules stood and leant down to offer her
his hand. Helena placed her fingers in his grasp, and a tell-tale flicker of
attraction set her heart beating faster. Could this be the day that Sir
Hercules stopped behaving with perfect propriety and made some sort of advance,
like her other suitors?
    They walked along the riverbank until the
first fat drops of rain splattered on them. Sir Hercules took her hand and they
dashed for the tree line on the ridge above. He pulled her, panting, amongst
the trees, where the rain was lighter. The shelter of a full-leaved oak tree
gave a feeling of seclusion. Perhaps now he would kiss her?
    “Allow me,” he said, holding out his folded
handkerchief. He dabbed the raindrops from her face.
    She swayed closer. He pocketed the damp
handkerchief and offered her his arm. Oooh! He was ever the gentleman!
With her hopes unfulfilled, they hurried to the carriage. The picnic blanket
and the lunch had been packed away by the footmen. So, damp from the rain they
hastened into the carriage, to sit side-by-side regaining their breath.
    As the vehicle set forth, Helena gave her
usual direction, as though to a servant. “Dinner and a ball at Lord Lacey’s
home tomorrow.”
    “Would I care to accompany you? Yes, thank
you, Lady Helena, it would be an honour.” His tone was light but firm.
    She gave him a long look. Was his enthusiasm
for marriage to her flagging already? “There is no compulsion that you should
accompany me, except your desire to marry my money.” She was testing him after
all, and wanted to see what he would put up with for the prize. But suddenly
she realised how disappointed she would be if he failed.
    “Even if I were to be so lucky, I would want
to like you. Being ordered around does not assist that.”
    “Sir Hercules.” Such a silly name. “Do you
know how many men have sought to marry me for my money? You couldn’t, because I have lost count. Be grateful that I didn’t dismiss your proposal immediately.
So far you have been a good companion, but you may falter on the next few
tests.”
    “I am being tested?”
    “Of course you are! Isn’t that what courtship
is?”
    He paused as if to consider her question. “I
suppose so.”
    “Although you want my money from the marriage,
I want companionship. This is my only way of finding out if it is possible. My
future happiness depends upon this tenuous method of finding a companion. If I
appear abrupt, it is because that is part of my selection process.”
    He took her hand in his and kissed it, looking
up at her. “I see. Then I shall be delighted to accompany you to Lord Lacey’s
dinner and ball.”
    You’re a good actor. I could do much worse . “You behave like a gentleman at all times, not like the Viscount
Lovelace, who took the opportunity of our picnic to try to seduce me. My
footmen had to rescue me from his advances.” She shuddered at the memory and
Sir Hercules took her hand again and patted it gently.
     
    Sir Hercules dressed with his usual good taste
for Lord Lacey’s event … and looked marvellous. She received some envious looks
from the other ladies when they all assembled before dinner. He gave them
little attention, instead focusing on her. She watched him closely during the
dinner. He didn’t slurp his soup or eat off his knife like Lord Swindon, so she
relaxed her fears. To his dinner companions, herself and Lady Travener, he was
entertaining.
    At the ball that followed he solicited two
dance sets, writing his name in bold letters on her card for the waltz and dinner
dance. Then, with her permission, he sought other dancing partners and spent
the evening twirling his way through set after set. She did the same, while
keeping him under scrutiny.
    The waltz was announced and he