Page 9 of Her Honorable Viscount (Noble Pursuits #3)

CHAPTER 9

D ot had stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lord Mandrake without thinking.

He stiffened in her embrace, but just when she was about to pull away, he relaxed into her hold, his arms coming around her back, and he patted her shoulder slightly awkwardly.

She nearly laughed before releasing him, a flush stealing up her cheeks.

“I do appreciate everything you are doing. Truly,” she said, squeezing his hands. “I suppose we will be in touch about Lucy and Adelaide and Lady Carroway?”

“Yes,” he said, nodding his head. “I will send you a note about where you might find Adelaide, and perhaps you can discover Lucy’s whereabouts in the meantime.”

“Very well,” she said, her lips curling into a smile. He was so formal and staid, yet she was beginning to discover just what a complex man he was inside. “I look forward to it.”

And she did. She started up the stairs with a bounce in her step, and when she turned around to look back at him, she couldn’t help the smile that spread over her face.

Dot was enjoying spending time with Lord Mandrake far more than she should. He had made it clear that she could not be the woman she wanted to be and be with him.

So why was she starting to feel that it might be worth denying her true purpose if it meant she could have him?

It was damn confounding.

“Mail for you, my lady.”

Dot looked up from where she was perched in the small library, her heart rate increasing at the announcement.

She wasn’t sure if it was primarily due to the possibility that Lady Carroway could be contacting her again or if Lord Mandrake might be sending her a note.

She was hoping that he would. She had sent her lady’s maid to Lady Carroway’s this morning to inquire about Lucy and Mrs. Adams and had received an address from the same footman who had led her to Lucy. The women could be found in Soho, not far from Magda’s, fortunately. She planned to visit them this afternoon and tell them about Lord Mandrake’s offer. She didn’t think they would otherwise believe something so fortuitous could occur if they didn’t hear it directly from her.

In the meantime, she was curious about Adelaide and Mr. Redgrave. Adelaide was likely right – that Mr. Regrave would tire of her in time – yet, Dot’s romantic heart, one she hid, couldn’t help but root for the two of them and hope they could find a way forward together.

She lifted the note from the tray with trembling fingers and sighed in relief when she saw her name written across it in the broad, strong penmanship she recognized from the first message she had received, asking her to see Adelaide.

This was from Lord Mandrake.

She opened it with a smile as the butler walked away, her eyes skimming the words.

Lady Dot,

I write to inform you of Adelaide’s current whereabouts. She is presently staying at my residence with my brother. You are most welcome to arrange a visit to see her. It may be wise to bring a chaperone.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Mandrake

A little thrill ran through her at his salutation until she re-read the line above it. He wanted her to bring a chaperone so there was no uncertainty about them being alone together. He wouldn’t want to be forced to marry her.

She was still looking forward to seeing him again, especially after their last encounter. She had enjoyed her time with him and had been surprised at his lack of judgment upon others for a man with relatively rigid views.

She wondered how he felt about his brother and Adelaide staying at his house. She couldn’t imagine it would fit into his orderly life, but perhaps a little disruption would be good for him.

She was picturing him bouncing a baby on his knee – whether it was his brother’s or his own, she hadn’t entirely determined – when the door to the library opened and her sisters spilled in.

“Dot!” Henrietta exclaimed. “We are going to walk around Hyde Park. Would you like to join us?”

This might work in her favor. She could walk with her sisters, and then, on the way home, she could make an excuse and divert to Soho to visit Lucy and Mrs. Adams.

“I would love to,” she said, pushing back away from the desk.

“Truly?”

“Yes.”

Was it such a surprise that she would want to join her sisters for an outing? She supposed she had never been particularly excited about their endeavors, but they were usually fanciful.

“I will find my bonnet if you could wait?”

“Of course,” Henrietta said as Daphne came over and squeezed Dot’s hand tightly, making her feel guilty for having an ulterior purpose for this outing.

Soon enough, the eight of them, as Eliza had joined them, were walking through Hyde Park. Emerald lawns stretched beneath dappled sunlight, the Serpentine sparkling under a clear blue sky. Ladies and gentlemen strolled or rode along the paths, parasols and hats shielding them from the sun, while the air hummed with cheerful conversation, the scent of flowers, and the faint clop of horse hooves on the gravel.

It was beautiful, yet it also reminded Dot of the juxtaposition of this neighborhood compared to where she visited most of the women in her care. She considered what they would give to experience a day like this, wondering how she could help make that come to be for them.

It was likely a fruitless thought.

“What is on your mind?” Eliza asked, eyeing her knowingly.

“The day’s beauty,” Dot said, hoping it wasn’t a lie.

“That’s all?”

“What else would it be?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Eliza said, her brows lifting. “Perhaps thoughts of a certain tall, dark, handsome, though very stern, gentleman?”

“Do you mean Lord Mandrake?”

“Of course I do.” Eliza laughed. “Have you spoken to him?”

“I have,” Dot said, wondering how much to share with her sister-in-law. “He… knows about my occupation.”

“Does he now?” Eliza seemed surprised but also curious. “What did he have to say about it?”

“Exactly what I thought he would. He told me that he would overlook my past . I told him that my work was also very much a part of my present and future, and he agreed that a marriage between us would not be possible.”

She tried to keep the hurt out of her tone but couldn’t help it. She hated that he wouldn’t accept her – all of her. It was as though he was rejecting part of her very soul.

“I’m sorry, Dot,” Eliza said softly.

“No matter,” she said, trying to hide her feelings. “We agreed to be friends. He has even offered to help a couple of young women in my care who are in a trying situation.”

“He has?”

“Yes,” Dot said. “He is a better man than I thought he was. Even if he cannot overcome his opinion of me.”

He didn’t judge others – but he held higher standards for the woman he would marry.

She heard a voice call from across the river, followed by a shriek and a gale of laughter.

She turned to see a couple paddling a small rowboat just off the shore of the Serpentine. That, in itself, was nothing out of the ordinary. The Serpentine was a fine place for rowing, especially as a romantic outing for couples. What surprised her was the woman’s loud laughter that rang out over the water to reach the ears of the many people walking around the path.

Then the woman shouted at the man in glee, splashing water from the side of the boat toward him. He was laughing too until she launched herself toward him – and while he tried to catch her, the momentum proved too much, and they both went toppling over the side of the boat into the water.

“Oh dear,” Eliza said as Dot stood watching, captivated – until she realized who was in the water.

She knew those people. That was Edward’s brother, Mr. Redgrave, and Adelaide.

The rest of the ton was watching in shock as they paddled to the side of the river.

With no one else coming to their aid, Dot patted Eliza’s hand. “I’ll be right back.”

She hurried down toward the river, her sisters calling after her, but she couldn’t simply allow Lord Mandrake’s family to be looked down upon without anyone helping them, now, could she? She had offered Adelaide her help. She supposed this was a start, although she would have to explain to her the expectations for the future.

Dot stopped by the boats and oars, awaiting other boaters, taking an oar off the pile before heading to the side of the river.

“Adelaide!” she called out as she crouched down.

The woman was no longer laughing but sputtering now as Mr. Redgrave tried to help her to the riverbank. She obviously was not a strong swimmer, if she even knew how to swim.

“Adelaide, take hold of the oar!”

Adelaide met her eye, gratefulness filling her face, even as desperation was still present. She reached out, taking the offered paddle and pulling on it – so hard that Dot was set off balance and, despite her best efforts to stay upright, found herself being tugged forward. Just as she closed her eyes and prepared for the water to meet her, strong arms wrapped around her and held her firmly onshore.

“Easy,” came the voice in her ear, one that was becoming so safe and familiar it was almost like a caress. “I’ve got you.”

She relaxed into Lord Mandrake’s arms as he set her onto the bank behind them, taking the oar himself and pulling Adelaide to the shore.

Her clothing dripping with water, Adelaide crawled onto the bank, obviously exhausted, as Mr. Redgrave made it to shore.

Dot stole a look at Lord Mandrake, wondering if he would criticize his brother and his apparent bride, but instead, he held out a hand and helped Mr. Redgrave to his feet.

“Come,” he said. “I have a horse waiting. You can use it to help Adelaide home.”

“I’m sorry, Edward,” Mr. Redgrave said, looking around as the witnesses were still gaping, mouths open as they stared at the scene. “We got carried away.”

“I’m glad you are safe,” Lord Mandrake said. “But best get Adelaide home before she catches a chill. That’s the last thing we want.”

His tone carried the hint of “we will talk about this later,” but Dot still admired him for coming to his brother’s aid when he could have easily allowed him to deal with it himself.

They stood together as they watched Mr. Redgrave and Adelaide ride away.

“Well,” Dot said, placing her hands on her hips as she looked up at him. She wasn’t sure if she would ever become used to how tall he was. “That was… intriguing.”

His jaw was set tight as he nodded. “I told Michael that Hyde Park was not a good idea.”

“Because…”

“Because I felt that they would cause a scene of some sort. Adelaide just joined us yesterday. It will take some time for her to become used to the society she is, apparently, marrying into. To thrust her into such a situation was foolish.”

He shook his head with a sigh, and Dot could understand, although she wondered if he was perhaps being a little harsh.

“They will marry, then?”

“So they say. Michael tried to bring her into his apartment, but they were discovered, and soon after, they appeared on my doorstep. I have told him multiple times that he is always welcome at my house, and he has finally taken me up on it.” He turned to her, lifting a brow. “It seems I will require more help after all if Mrs. Adams and Lucy would like to join our household.”

“Your brother is planning to stay, then?”

“He says one day at a time,” Lord Mandrake said, and Dot couldn’t help but laugh at the sadness on his face.

“You are not a man who takes things one day at a time, are you?”

“No,” he said. “I prefer to know what is coming.”

“Well, Lord Mandrake, I do not suppose that will be possible. Not with a family in your household. Especially once the baby joins you.”

“How do you do it?” he asked, tilting his head as he looked at her. “I am sure you must never know what to expect. How do you manage?”

“By embracing the moment,” she said. “I have found that while it is possible to live in the past or the future, Lord Mandrake, you will only truly enjoy your life if you live in the present.”

He nodded, studying her closely. “That is… enlightening.”

She smiled at him and realized that, once again, they had drawn closer to one another. Close enough that if she leaned forward, stood on her tiptoes, she just might?—

“Dot?”

Hearing the voice behind her, she started as she suddenly remembered just where she was. She stepped backward so quickly that she nearly tripped over her feet. She tried to right herself but stumbled, almost falling into the Serpentine – but he was there… again, an arm wrapping around her back.

As he pulled her upright, she wondered if he would always be there to catch her.

And what to do about the fact that she liked it so much.