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“Toby, of course. As a kitten, he attached himself to my sister, and Toby is her constant companion. He tolerates me, but only angry hisses come from him when he is near anyone else. The fact that Toby has sat in your lap this entire teatime, looking as if he has been in the cream, is remarkable.”

Perry chuckled. “I do not think you can judge my character by Toby’s response to me.” He stroked the cat’s fur absently. “But my invitation stands. With or without Toby,” he added, smiling at Lady Dru.

She leaned over and plucked the cat from his lap. Rising, she said, “I will walk you to your horse, my lord. We should discuss our arrangements regarding tea at Lord Tilsbury’s.”

Lord Huntsberry offered Perry a hand. “Good to see you, Martindale. Do you plan to remain in the country?”

“I do. Even before I ventured off to war, I never went to town. I am firmly planted in Surrey, at least until next Season. I suppose I will have to choose a bride.”

“My sister will make her come-out next spring,” Lady Huntsberry said. “It will be good that the two of you know one another. She looked to Lady Dru. “Hopefully, Lord Martindale will sign your programme.”

“You are assuming I will go to town, Lucy. Remember, that might not be the case.”

He wondered what she might refer to. Tension filled the air. To break it, he said, “Again, thank you for your hospitality.”

Perry walked alongside Lady Dru. When they reached the steps leading down, she kissed Toby’s head and set the cat on his feet.

“Stay out of trouble,” she admonished as the cat bounded down the stairs and took off.

He offered his arm to her to assist her down the stairs. She kept her hand in the crook of his arm as they strolled toward the stables.

“Do you always talk to Toby?”

Laughing, she told him, “I talk to all animals. For the most part, I find them far more interesting than people. Con, my brother, has always teased me for doing so.”

“Where does your brother live?”

“Mostly, he is in town. He is best of friends with our cousin Val. They have been sharing rooms in town ever since they left university, but Val’s father died suddenly last spring, just before the start of the Season.

The mourning period prevented his sisters Lia and Tia from making their come-outs.

Since Val is now a duke, he has more important things to do than be idle with Con.

I am certain Val will come to town to find a bride when the Season starts up again next spring. ”

“So, your cousin will be there. I assume his sisters will also make their come-outs since theirs were delayed with their father’s passing. And you have your brother. You should enjoy your come-out, my lady.”

She stopped. “I may not make my come-out. Ever. Oh, I know it is what all girls are brought up to do. Go to town. Wear pretty gowns. Find a husband. Have his babes.” She sighed.

“If I may be candid, my lord, I will tell you I usually wear breeches most of the time. It is easier to ride and get around. I have no interest in spending months in town at boring social affairs, especially since I am a country girl at heart. I love my animals and riding and gardening. My mother is domineering, always trying to tell me what to do and how to think. I resent that. I cannot in good faith leave my father’s house, only to go to that of a husband who would be even more overbearing than Mama. ”

She gazed at him, determination in her eyes. “I may be out of step with Polite Society, but I have no desire to join the Marriage Mart.”

He looked at her, stunned by her pronouncement. “Is that even an option, my lady?”

She shrugged. “Probably not. I can see Mama dragging me by my hair to town, forcing me into fancy ballgowns and dictating whom I should wed. Lucy loves pretty gowns and was eager to make her come-out, but we are very different.”

“Did your mother choose Lord Huntsberry as her husband?” he asked, curious.

She laughed, and again the sound made him want to make her laugh even more.

“No. If Judson had not offered for Lucy, though, I believe Mama would have chosen a husband for her. Thank goodness that did not happen. Lucy and Judson are very much in love. At least Mama is pleased because he is a wealthy marquess.” She laughed.

“Mama probably has rewritten history, telling others she was the one who suggested Lucy wed Judson.”

Their gazes met. “If you think me odd, it is quite all right,” she assured him.

“I do not think you odd at all,” he said softly. “I believe you are a woman who knows her own mind and wants to write her own story. I admire that. I admire you, Lady Dru.”

The urge to kiss her had grown stronger, and Perry gave into it.

He took her face in his hands, cradling it gently, and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. An innocent kiss. Not one of passion or flaming desire. Merely a harmless, chaste kiss.

Breaking the kiss, he told her, “I hold you in high esteem, my lady. Hold to your convictions. If a Season—or marriage—is not for you, do not be forced into doing something you would forever regret.”

He dropped his hands. “I will come for you in my carriage on Wednesday at half-past three.”

With that, Perry strode off, feeling her eyes on him as he went to the stables. Inside, he claimed Zeus, leading the horse outside and mounting him. Glancing around, he did spy Lady Dru in the distance, close to the house.

He shouldn’t have kissed her. He knew that. But it was a sweet kiss, one of friendship. He hoped that they could be friends because she was a very interesting person.

Come Wednesday, he would know if there was the possibility they could be friends—or if Lady Drusilla Alington would outright reject him.