VANESSA STOOD AT THE parlor window waiting for the horses to be brought around so she and her sisters could go riding in Hyde Park. Kathleen was on the sofa behind her, going through all the invitations that had already come in. Her mother seemed so happy, so vibrant now that she was back in London.
Suddenly the very proper, punctilious butler entered and, trying his best to hide his annoyance, said, “Lord Bates has requested that yet another armoire be brought up to his bedroom. Would that be acceptable, Lady Blackburn?”
Kathleen didn’t even glance up from the invitations in her lap to say, “Of course, he can have the one in the empty bedroom on the third floor.”
Vanessa smiled, amused that Charley and Arlo hadn’t yet finished unpacking Charley’s wardrobe even though they’d all arrived yesterday. Mr. Rickles looked aggrieved, had likely hoped for a different answer, but then he wasn’t at all pleased with their houseguests after Monty had called him Pickles yesterday instead of Rickles, and Vanessa, at least, was sure Monty had done so deliberately because he couldn’t resist ribbing the stiff, stuffy butler.
Kathleen rose a few minutes later to join Vanessa at the window and remarked, “There are so many social events to attend, we’re all going to have a lovely time!” But then her expression turned aghast. “You cannot ride that beast in the park!”
Vanessa raised a brow at her mother, but Kathleen was still staring out the parlor window that faced the street where the horses had just been led. The twins hadn’t come downstairs yet to join them, which meant they could both, for the moment, speak their minds.
“Yes, I can,” Vanessa stated simply.
Kathleen swung about, her expression rife with anger. “It’s a draft horse!”
“This fine riding habit I’m wearing will suggest otherwise. And he’s a magnificent beauty. I won’t be surprised if I get a number of offers for him. He makes a fine placard for the breeding farm I intend to open one day.”
Kathleen humphed. “The Rathbans will never allow something that common. You will need to undertake more genteel hobbies.”
That was not what Vanessa wanted to hear! She was giving up everything else for this marriage, she wouldn’t give up the stable she wanted, too. “Then I may have to do some bargaining with Albert Rathban myself. As a wedding gift, he can promise me that I’ll have a place on his estate to further Snow’s line.”
“You’re going to make that ridiculous demand and risk losing his agreement to allow your father to return home?”
Kathleen almost looked panicked, so Vanessa assured her, “You misunderstand. I would never make it an ultimatum, Mother, or risk your bargain. I would merely make the suggestion, and only after the engagement is secure. But if it will relieve your mind, I suppose I could wait until after the marriage to mention it.”
Mollified, but still staring at Snow, Kathleen mentioned, “We have other, more suitable, horses.”
“But I love that one, have raised him from birth.”
Vanessa didn’t add that she’d helped with that birth, which would appall her mother. But she resented that Kathleen was treating her like a child she could control and was so insistent on curtailing yet another of her freedoms.
Hoping to drop the subject, she added, “We’ll be back in plenty of time to rest and prepare for the ball tonight.”
“Are you being deliberately obtuse to think that might be of concern at this moment? You are among the ton now, the people whose opinions matter. Even you must know that riding a draft horse in Hyde Park would be scandalous. I could have sworn you promised you would not misbehave in public and embarrass this family.”
Vanessa’s cheeks bloomed with color. She had indeed said that, and she did indeed get Kathleen’s point, but couldn’t her mother have reminded her of that to begin with instead of saying no and expecting that to work as it did on the twins? She hated it, but she was going to have to concede on this one thing.
“As fond as I am of Snow, as uniquely beautiful as he is, and I might add, I’ve never viewed him as a draft horse, he has never been an embarrassment to me. But you are quite right, Mother. He isn’t suitable for a lady’s mount in town.”
“Thank you for seeing reason.”
Vanessa felt a little choked up at having another chunk of her independence whittled away. “Excuse me while I request a new horse.”
She left the room and went outside to do that and also to give Snow a bit of petting. She whispered to him her apology and her promise to still visit him each day to attend to his grooming, then she told the groom holding Snow’s reins, “I’ll need a different mount, please.”
“I honestly didn’t think you would.”
She hadn’t actually looked at any of the three grooms but turned about now with a laugh, recognizing Monty’s voice. “What the devil are you doing dressed like a groom?”
“Because I’m part of your escort.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Charley isn’t the only one who can make sacrifices in exchange for our new lodgings.”
She laughed again. “So you’re going to be a groom for our entire stay in London?”
“Bite your tongue, I’m not subservient enough for that. And I was teasing. Your mother would never request payment for her kindness.”
“A tweed cap and jacket is not much of a disguise,” she pointed out.
“It’s not meant to be other than for your mother who might object to me escorting you. Voilà, a mere change of clothes and I can steal more time with you. How could I resist? And as it happens, I’ll be attending your ball tonight, too.”
“Really?”
He grinned. “Surprised? I just won’t be arriving with you, since that would point out to any interested parties where I’m abiding.”
It was a delightful turn, but she still had to mention, “I thought you were still in hiding.”
He shrugged. “Revealing myself might present a few personal pitfalls, but nothing I can’t handle. It was imperative that Charley change his appearance before we came here, and he’s done a fine job of it.”
“I’m still surprised that you would want to go. As a rake, I didn’t think you would favor balls and the like.”
“To be honest I never have, but I feel compelled to attend this one so I can console you after you meet your fiancé.”
She frowned at him. “That’s not nice.”
“Neither is he.”
“Do stop disparaging him. I’m sure I will find something about him to like, and if not, I shall cry.”
“Good,” he said without any sympathy. “Now I’ll find you a stodgy old mare to ride.”
She choked back another laugh. “Don’t you dare! She at least needs to be spry!”
The twins were coming down the stairs when she reentered the house, Layla in a white riding habit, Emily in a pink one, and both bubbling with excitement. This would be their first ride in a London park. Kathleen had never brought them to London with her, though as Kathleen had told her, she hadn’t come here often herself after William left the country.
“We will be another moment,” Vanessa said. “I’ve had to request a different horse.”
“A shame,” Layla said.
But Emily had the same thought as Kathleen. “I assumed you would know better than to ride the white one in London.”
“Yes, I merely forgot,” Vanessa replied, not wanting to acknowledge Emily’s supercilious tone, at least not now, since it would undoubtedly put her and her sister at odds for their ride. But she intended to get Emily alone one of these days to find out why she had turned so disagreeable toward her. It wasn’t constant, but from time to time she would make catty remarks to Vanessa for no reason—at least, no reason Vanessa could think of.
The twins didn’t notice Monty when they came outside, though they weren’t in the habit of paying attention to grooms. But on the short ride to the park, Vanessa laughed at herself when she recalled what she had originally thought of London, and what had turned her away from it—too much smoke and soot. This area of the town was utterly different, with beautiful, clean streets, not at all congested, exactly what she had imagined it would be like before she had turned away in disgust nearly three weeks ago. When her mother’s coach had entered the city yesterday afternoon, she had closed her eyes for a few minutes. But by the time they’d reached Grosvenor Square in the area of Mayfair where Kathleen’s new town house was located, she’d been utterly pleased with London—at least this part of it. Elegant homes, fancy carriages and coaches, well-dressed couples strolling the streets. No wonder Kathleen used to love coming here.
In the park, Monty surprised the twins with his presence and his attire. Emily was a little embarrassed that she hadn’t noticed him sooner, but Layla did question his disguise, to which he rejoined, “I didn’t want to scare away any young gentlemen who try to meet you today.”
Yet he stopped behaving like a groom and rode between the twins instead of behind them with the other two grooms. He kept up a steady banter with them, provoking giggles, laughs, even a few blushes. Vanessa began to feel neglected, riding on Layla’s other side, but it was just as well that he paid some attention to the twins. If he spoke with only her, they might wonder if there was more than friendship between her and Monty. There was; she just wasn’t sure exactly what it was—flirting, a mutual attraction that sometimes ran out of control, letting herself be led astray by a charming rake? And she’d been a little too bold and daring with him, but no more. She had an arranged marriage to take care of now that she was in London. But he was definitely amusing the twins. She loved how easily he could make those around him laugh.
But he did fall back when the gentlemen in the park started catching up to the girls to introduce themselves. Vanessa was greeted almost as an afterthought, which made her want to laugh because she’d been expecting it. The twins were a novelty, after all, identical and beautiful. None of the young men stayed long, but all expressed hope that they would meet again. And the twins were thrilled. They hadn’t even attended their first social event yet and they were already a success.