‘Charles.’ Her lips thinned.
Rhys rose. ‘Lady Westleigh happened upon me and was gracious enough to invite me into the drawing room.’
‘Yes, well.’ Westleigh wiped his brow. ‘Thank you, Honoria. You may leave. This does not concern you.’
She remained in her seat. ‘Mr Rhysdale has no objection to my presence.’
Westleigh tossed him a scathing look. ‘It is a matter of business, Honoria. You would find it tedious.’
She smiled at him. ‘Oh, since it also involves Ned and Hugh, as I understand, I doubt I should find it tedious. You know that nothing about my sons is trivial to me.’
‘Did you think you could conceal the whole from Lady Westleigh?’ Rhys asked him. ‘I do not see how, unless you decided to go back on your word. Which is why I am here. To determine once and for all if you intend to keep to the bargain your sons made on your behalf.’
The butler brought in the tea tray, halting the conversation at that point. He placed the tray on the table in front of Lady Westleigh. ‘Thank you, Mason,’ she said.
The butler bowed and turned to leave, but she called him back. ‘Mason? If Hugh is about, tell him to join us, please.’
The man bowed again. ‘As you wish, my lady.’
When he left the room and closed the door behind him, Lord Westleigh spoke again. ‘We do not need Hugh here.’
‘I would not talk behind his back,’ his wife countered. ‘I would invite Ned, as well, but he went out a little while ago.’
Rhys realised his revenge upon his father was certainly going to hurt his wife, which suddenly gave Rhys no pleasure. Still, it was better than the complete financial ruin of the family.
‘Shall we wait for Hugh?’ Rhys asked the lady.
‘I would prefer it,’ she said. ‘Do sit, Mr Rhysdale. How do you take your tea?’
‘No cream. No sugar.’
Ned was surprised at the modest accommodations Miss Gale had on Half Moon Street. He’d expected something grander—not that it mattered to him. She just looked as if she belonged in luxury, protected from any discomfort or stress.
Not that he could provide her such a setting at the moment. He really had no business courting her, except that he could not bear it if her heart went to another.
He sounded the knocker and was admitted by the butler who announced him.
He entered the drawing room where Miss Gale sat with her stepmother and grandmother.
Also present was Luther Parminter, the new Baron Gale.
He bowed to the ladies.
The grandmother frowned in an unwelcoming manner, but Lady Gale extended her hand. ‘How nice of you to call, Neddington.’
He glanced to where Miss Gale was seated with the baron. ‘Am I interrupting a family visit? Do forgive me.’
‘Nonsense,’ the young Lady Gale said. ‘You are welcome here. Join us.’ She gestured to a chair near Miss Gale. ‘Shall I pour you some tea?’
‘I’ll not trouble you.’ He bowed to Miss Gale.
She sat in a pool of sunlight from the window, her hair shining like spun gold. Her skin was flawless and her eyes sparkling and clear as a cloudless sky.
She robbed him of speech.
He glanced from her to Luther, whom he’d known in school. ‘Gale.’
‘Neddington,’ Luther said without expression.
Ned was distressed to see him here. Was he courting Miss Gale? Most people liked to keep their wealth and property in the family. Lady Cowdlin said Miss Gale’s dowry was a generous one. Was that why Luther was here?
Still, if she had a large dowry, why did she live in such economy?
‘I hope you are well today, sir,’ she murmured to him.
‘Very well, miss,’ he responded.
‘Hmmph,’ the Dowager Lady Gale broke in. ‘Our cousin Luther was telling us about Gale House and its people. And the news from the village. We have always made it a point to concern ourselves with the needs of the people, you know.’
Ned turned to Gale. ‘I hope you found the people at Gale House in a good situation.’
‘Of course,’ Luther snapped.
The man was as happy to see Ned here as Ned was to see him. It depressed Ned that he might have a rival. Ned had so little to offer, how could he compete?
His family’s partnership with Rhysdale must reap its hoped-for benefits. It all depended upon his father.
Ned could hardly abide the presence of his father these days; he was so angry with the man. His father was being stubborn about Rhysdale and could ruin everything. They’d be worse off than before.
Then there would be no use in pursuing Miss Gale at all.
They chatted about the ball the night before. At one point Luther pulled out his timepiece and examined it.
A few minutes later, Luther stood. ‘I must take my leave.’ He bowed to Miss Gale, her stepmother and grandmother. ‘Ladies, it has been a pleasure.’ He tossed an unhappy glare at Ned.
After he left, Miss Gale asked Ned about the weather.
It gave him courage. ‘I wonder if you would like to take a turn in the park this afternoon, Miss Gale. I would consider it an honour to drive you in my curricle.’ He turned to her stepmother. ‘With your permission, ma’am.’
Lady Gale smiled. ‘If Adele wishes.’
‘Oh, I do!’ she cried. ‘I mean, I would like that very much, my lord.’
Miss Gale’s grandmother frowned.
He rose. ‘Then I shall return at four.’ A good three hours. How would he be able to pass that much time knowing he would have her company all to himself?
And with everyone else crowding Hyde Park during the fashionable hour.
Ned took his leave, his heart soaring.
‘What is this?’ Hugh entered the Westleigh town house drawing room. ‘Rhysdale, what are you doing here?’
Rhys was accustomed to Hugh’s brashness. He had always been so.
Rhys straightened and glanced at each of them. ‘I will not prevaricate. I came to get what is due me. I fulfilled my part of our bargain and—’ he turned to Lord Westleigh ‘—you, sir, have not fulfilled yours. I am done being trifled with.’
‘See
