The duchess’s face was wreathed in smiles. “I am delighted to see you. I trust you are enjoying your ride?”
“I am.” Alice could not resist shooting St. Alban’s a grin. “His lordship has not attempted to hang on to the rail once.”
“Never let it be said I’m pudding-hearted,” St. Albans said.
“No, my dear,” the duchess said. “That you never were. Much to my consternation at times.”
Alice found herself wanting to hear about his mishaps as a child. Many times they told more about the person than their good behavior. Alice glanced behind her. “We must be moving on.”
Her grace opened her mouth to say something and stopped. “We will see you later, I am sure.”
“Will you be at the balloon ascension tomorrow?”
“I shall, indeed.” Her grace smiled. “I would not miss something so exciting.”
“Mamma, whose ball is it tomorrow evening?” St. Albans asked, sounding just like Matt.
Gentlemen never seemed to be able to keep track of a social calendar. “Lady Tuttle’s.”
“Ah yes. I remember now.” He turned to Alice. “Would you grant me the supper dance? I promise you I will not serve you lobster patties.”
Alice struggled not to laugh out loud. “Yes, you may have the set.”
“Just in time. Here come Hereford and Bury.”
Each of them asked for a dance as well, and Lord Bolingbrook rode up. “Lady Alice, may I have a set for the ball tomorrow?”
“You may. The third dance.” Soon her dances were filled. When they reached the gate, it occurred to her she had spent most of the day with St. Albans and was reluctant to leave his company. “Shall we go for ices?”
“That is a wonderful idea.” He smiled at her, and butterflies took up residence in her chest. That was in addition to the tingles. This was not good. “I’m looking forward to seeing what their special flavors are today.”
It was a warm day, and Gunter’s was already crowded. A harried waiter ran up to them. “Our flavors today are blueberry, melon, raspberry, and lavender.”
St. Albans glanced at her. “You pick first. Perhaps we can share.”
She was between two of the ices. “If you select the melon. I will have lavender.”
“Excellent. Lavender and melon,” he ordered. “This should be interesting.”
“I hope they both taste good.” Not that she thought they would not be. Gunter’s had wonderful ices.
“It is Gunter’s. I’m certain they will.” Alice had never noticed how much they thought alike. “Although, I am not particularly fond of the cheese ices.”
“I seem to remember Harry saying the same thing.” Alice wondered how he and Madeline were enjoying their honeymoon. It was sad Alice’s children would not be born around the same time as her sisters’ but wanting that too much had caused her to make the mistake with Normanby.
“Here they are.” St. Albans took the cups from the waiter, handed them to her, and paid the man. She gave him the melon and he ate a bite. “Very good. Try yours.”
She did, and it was excellent. “You should try this.”
He dipped his spoon into her ice and tasted it. “You’re right. It is much better than I thought it would be. Try the melon.”
She felt like a child again as they each ate some of the other’s ice. She had not shared like this in years. “We should do this more often.” Alice slapped her hand over her mouth. “I should not have said that.”
He looked at her in surprise. “I don’t know why not? I enjoy your company a great deal and would be happy to accompany you to Gunter’s anytime you desire.”
That was nice of him to say. “Thank you.”
She was not ready for the day to end. “Would you like to join us for dinner?”
“I would. What time should I present myself?”
“We dine at six-thirty. It used to be earlier, but it is hard to get back from the Park in time.”
“I must send for my kit.”
“There is no need. We do not dress when we are dining with the children.”
St. Albans tilted his head and stared at her. Did he not like the idea of being so informal? And why was she so tense? “What an excellent idea. I have often wondered why one must dress to have the evening meal with one’s family.”
She immediately relaxed. The prickles started again. What on earth did they mean? “We should go.”
They arrived at Worthington House and strolled into the hall. “Thorton, Lord St. Albans will be dining with us.”
“Yes, my lady. I shall inform her ladyship and Cook.” He glanced at St. Albans. “My lord, if you will follow me. I will show you where you can freshen yourself.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
