“Galyna.” The mare sidled over demanding attention as well.
“And is she calm?”
Alice almost dropped her jaw. How had he known that? “Your Latin must be excellent.”
Before he could answer, a group of ducks waddled up to them, and Alice quickly threw some of the breadcrumbs. One duck had been pushed out and decided St. Alban’s boots looked like a good meal. She threw some crumbs directly at the duck, and he went after the bread.
“That was close.” He stared down at his boots. “At least I wasn’t wearing tassels.”
Unable to help herself, Alice went into whoops as Lord St. Albans stared at her in confusion. “I am sorry.” She started laughing again. “Our friend’s husband used to wear tassels and a puppy got them.”
Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Not something I would wear around a puppy or a duck.”
“Alice, we should go. Eleanor did not follow us,” Madeline said.
“Yes. Of course.” The groom helped Madeline, and Lord St. Albans cupped his hand to help her mount.
It took very little time to reach Eleanor and Lord Montagu. She waved. “Has the Serpentine changed at all?”
“Nary a bit,” Lord St. Albans said. “However, I am indebted to the ladies for bringing bread for the ducks. They are an avaricious group.”
“We saved his boots.” Alice felt slightly smug about it.
Eleanor looked at her watch. “We must be going.”
The gentlemen fell in with them. Lord St. Albans rode next to Alice. “Now that the Season is begun, what do you have on your calendar?”
“I do not yet know. Grace, our eldest sister, makes all those decisions. I suppose we will find out soon.” She wondered if he would be at some of the same events. Georgie was right. He was amusing. “And you?”
Lord St. Albans sighed. “As with you, I am not quite sure. My mother is in charge of my social schedule this Season.”
He was looking for a wife. “We are attending Almack’s on Wednesday.”
He inclined his head. “I will be there as well and would be honored if you would stand up with me.”
“Alice,” Madeline said. “Lord Montagu has asked us all for a set.”
“Oh.” Alice had not been paying any attention at all to her sisters’ conversation. How odd. “That would be nice. Lord St. Albans has just requested a dance.”
He leaned forward and glanced at Eleanor and Madeline. “I would like to request sets from the two of you as well.”
“Delighted.” Eleanor inclined her head.
“A pleasure,” Madeline said.
When they reached the gate, St. Albans bowed. “I look forward to seeing you again. If not tomorrow morning, then at Almack’s.”
That was two sets Alice and her sisters would dance. She was looking forward to meeting more gentlemen. Perhaps one of them would be approved to waltz with her.
CHAPTER FIVE
After breaking his fast with Montagu and Lady Montagu and Giff schooled his friend on what was needed to attend Almack’s, he realized he had not informed his own mother that he wished to attend. He trusted she would have obtained vouchers, but it never hurt to ask. He hadn’t gone in years. He prayed she was awake. He’d learned at a young age never to disrupt her sleep her unless it was an emergency.
Taking the stairs two at a time, he strode down the corridor and knocked on Mamma’s parlor door.
“Enter.”
He opened the door and stepped into the room. His mother was sitting at a round table with various breakfast items on it. Chief of which was a bowl of porridge. “We do have vouchers for Almack’s, do we not?”
She covered her mouth as she yawned. “We do. I planned to attend even if you did not. However, I am pleased you have decided to take the bull by the horns.”
Giff was strongly reminded of the shaggy highland bull at his grandfather’s estate in Scotland. He’d thought it would be fun to see it up close and perhaps stroke it when it charged him. He’d barely made it over the fence. “That is an interesting way to put it.”
“At least there are not hidden alcoves or other places one can be compromised there.” Her tone betrayed how serious she was.
But compromised? Him? “I hadn’t thought of the possibility, but you are correct.”
She made a shooing motion with her hands. “We will discuss it more later. Leave me to my breakfast.”
“Yes, your grace.” He bowed.
“Out! Now!” Mamma wrinkled her nose as she sniffed.
Giff backed out of the door and closed it. His mother had given him something unexpected to consider. Corridors, dark gardens, even terraces were all places he had taken widows before, but where one could be compromised and made to wed a person one did not wish to marry. While he’d been congratulating himself on his status and looks, making it easy to find a wife, he had not thought how that also made him a target. His temptation to flirt with a lady might also cause trouble by raising expectations. Lady Alice had not seemed susceptible—that he didn’t understand at all—but some other young lady and her Mamma might decide he was about to make an offer. There was a fine line between merely social engagement and something more. He’d have to be careful. In fact, he’d have to change his conversation.
“My lord,” his valet said. “Yer bath is ready.”
“Thank you, Dunn.” Years ago, Giff had stopped wondering how personal servants knew exactly what one wanted and when.
