Page 15 of The Baron’s Perfect Match (Twist of Fate #1)
J acob could have hugged Miss Mia for suggesting a stroll in Hyde Park. Miss Parker wasn’t welcoming his conversational attempts, and he would have had to take his leave. Now he had a chance to spend more time with her.
When she placed her fingers on his sleeve, he felt a sudden jolt travel up his arm. That was odd. He’d never experienced anything like it while escorting a woman before, but he rather liked the effect Miss Parker had on him. Now, if he could get her to smile, he would be a happy man.
As they walked along the path, Jacob felt such a sense of pride at having Miss Parker beside him.
Her beauty captivated him, but it was her kindness that drew him in the most. The way she talked to and treated her sisters with such love was wonderful to witness.
He wondered if he’d finally found the one special person he could spend his life with.
But was that a problem ?
He was her guardian, and he didn’t know if it was possible to court her.
There was no legal bar he was aware of—he was unmarried and so was she, and they weren’t blood relatives, but would the ton accept such a courtship?
He’d have to ask Mr. Haggerty if he knew of any restrictions that would prevent him from courting her.
However, those questions could wait for another day.
He didn’t want to think about any problems at the moment, especially since he was enjoying himself immensely just strolling with her.
He’d never really thought about promenading before.
In New York, everyone always seemed to be in a hurry to be somewhere, but here in Hyde Park, people were enjoying the sunshine and conversations with friends and acquaintances.
It was a new experience for him, and much to his surprise, he was beginning to like London.
He hadn’t thought about the newspaper at all since he arrived.
Somehow, since being introduced to Miss Parker, he’d had no thoughts at all of New York or how things were going while he was gone, which was odd because he’d done nothing but eat, sleep, and breathe the newspaper business for the past five years.
He wasn’t too worried, though, because Henry was a good businessman and would see to it that the paper continued to thrive.
He was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of a female voice calling out to them.
“Miss Parker, is that you?” asked an older woman in a deep-purple day dress and bonnet to match.
“Someone you know?” Jacob asked before the woman closed the distance between them .
“Yes. She was an acquaintance of my late mother. Lady Whitestone, lovely to see you today,” Audrey said with a slight grin.
“My dear girl, how much you’ve grown. You’re the image of your dear departed Mama.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”
Neither Lady Whitestone nor her friend Lady Nestle moved on down the path as Audrey had hoped.
She and Lady Nestle were notorious gossipers and the last people she’d hoped to see today in the park.
She had a bad feeling about this, although courtesy dictated that she introduce the baron.
“Lord Fletcher, may I make known to you Lady Whitestone and Lady Nestle. Ladies, may I introduce Lord Fletcher?”
Lord Fletcher bowed to the women. “Lady Whitestone, Lady Nestle, a pleasure to meet you both.”
“So you’re the new Lord Fletcher,” Lady Whitestone said, looking him over from head to toe. “I’ve never seen you before, my lord. Are you new to London?”
“Indeed. I only arrived a few days ago.”
A couple of the other strolling matrons paused a few steps away to listen to the conversation. It seemed that the new Lord Fletcher had already become a hot topic among the aristocracy.
“Oh, that’s interesting. Where do you hail from, my lord?” Lady Whitestone asked. “I can’t quite place your accent.”
“New York City.”
Jacob felt Audrey stiffen beside him. Had he said something wrong? He glanced at her, but she kept her eyes facing forward.
Lady Whitestone frowned. “Oh, I see. You’re American.”
“I am indeed.”
Lady Whitestone looked like she’d smelled a pile of manure. She grabbed her friend’s arm and began to move away. “ Good day, Lord Fletcher, Miss Parker.”
Once the ladies had moved on, Jacob asked, “What has you upset? Did I say something wrong, Miss Parker?”
Audrey shook her head. “No. You were the perfect gentleman, but those two ladies love to gossip. The fact that you’re an American will be all over the ton within the hour.”
“Well, I cannot hide the fact that I’m American. Is that such a bad thing?”
“Of course not, my lord. It’s only that I’m sure most of the ton expected an Englishman to inherit the title. As you can imagine, there’s quite a bias in Society regarding Americans.”
“It’s foolish to be biased against a whole nation, and I would hope they should take each man on his merits. I certainly try to be a good person and treat everyone with respect. I work hard and pay my workers a good wage.”
“That’s it exactly. You work. That’s what will be frowned upon, as well as the fact that you’re an American. The aristocracy does not work, and more than likely, you will be shunned.”
“Well, it seems unreasonable to dislike someone because they work hard and are fair-minded.”
“Lord Fletcher, I’m afraid I cannot explain it to you any clearer. I fear you will never understand what I’m trying to tell you about the ton .”
“Miss Parker, I understand fully what you’re saying. I just don’t agree that people should be judged for the simple fact that they work for a living instead of being judged by their character.”
“I never said it was fair, my lord. It is the way of the aristocracy, I’m afraid. Now, shall we go find my sisters?” Audrey asked, walking ahead.
“Of course.” Jacob could feel the difference in Miss Parker’s behavior toward him after the two women moved along.
Just when he’d thought he was beginning to connect with her, a gossiping matron had ruined their walk.
He could tell by Miss Parker’s blank stare that she worried about what the gossips would say regarding him and how it would affect her and her sisters.
It didn’t take long for them to find Grace and Mia. They could hear Mia’s squeals when the swans made an appearance.
“Lord Fletcher, come here!” Mia called out. “The swans are here.”
Jacob and Audrey made their way to the riverbank, where a pair of swans glided by. “They’re quite beautiful,” he said.
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Audrey stepped away from Lord Fletcher when he went to look at the swans with Mia. Grace was by her side in an instant.
“What’s wrong? I can tell by your face that something happened,” Grace said.
“We met Lady Whitestone and Lady Nestle a few moments ago,” Audrey explained.
“I see, but why are you upset over that? Surely you knew we would run into people we know.”
“I didn’t expect to meet the most notorious gossipmongers of the ton on the first day we are out with the baron.”
“It can’t be that bad. Did you introduce Lord Fletcher and walk on?”
“I tried to, but he’s very polite and answered Lady Whitestone’s questions.”
“Oh dear. What questions?”
“About where he’s from.”
“Well, he cannot hide the fact that he’s an American. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“It will be much worse when the ton finds out he owns a newspaper business and works as a journalist.”
Grace sighed. “Oh, I see your dilemma now. Society will never accept him if he continues to work.”
“Exactly. I tried to explain it to him, but I don’t think he really understands what an issue that is. He wants to be judged on his character, and I commend him for that, but we both know that’s not how Society thinks.”
“Do you think it will end up in the scandal sheets?”
“I have no doubt that Lady Whitestone will be crowing with satisfaction that she was the first one to uncover where he hails from.”
“Audrey, you cannot fuss over this. It was bound to happen sooner or later, given his accent. Let’s not spoil such a pleasant day. We haven’t been to Hyde Park in years, and I’ve missed it. You know how much I love nature. Can we not just enjoy our time here?”
“Of course. You’re right. No sense worrying over things we cannot control. Let’s join Mia and Lord Fletcher.”
Grace slipped her arm inside her sister’s elbow, and the two walked over to the baron and Mia.
Audrey made sure to walk with Grace for the rest of their time at the park.
She knew it was unfair to be upset with Lord Fletcher, but she was worried about what the scandal sheets would say tomorrow regarding him and if it would affect their standing in Society.
It was selfish, she knew, but their good standing was the only thing they had left of their family’s legacy.
When the hackney dropped them back at Gracechurch Street, Audrey didn’t invite Lord Fletcher inside. She needed time to consider the possible ramifications and whether she could mitigate them in some way.
She sincerely hoped the scandal sheets wouldn’t be as bad as she was afraid they might.