extra week.”
The flash of outrage on Nicole’s face vanished quickly, but his intense study of her did not allow it to pass unnoticed. She still doubted that he had a grandmother at all!
“My lord, I would be honored to drive out with you today. However, I find the crush of carriages during the five o’clock hour puts quite a damper on the excursion.” She seemed to be bored. “I have come to wonder why anyone actually calls it a drive?”
The chit was being impertinent, and he could not wait to see where it led!
“Perhaps if we go a little earlier, we might truly enjoy it. Oh dear, I should not be putting you out so,” she said, though he did not think her sorry in the least. “I am imposing—please forgive me. Perhaps we may go another time.”
The impudent minx was actually giving him another set-down! She acted as though she did not care a jot whether she was seen driving in his curricle at the fashionable hour! Now he knew why he could not forget her. She was original and quite able to handle herself … and him!
Two could play at such a game, he thought. “Six o’clock would be better for me, my lady. It will be a little cooler then as well.” At her barely perceptible acquiescence, he rose. “Thank you for your time this morning, I look forward to this afternoon.” He bowed, and turned toward the door.
Nicole’s mother stopped him in the doorway. “Perhaps, my lord, since you will be driving with Nicky so late, you would care to stay and have supper with us afterward? I know it would be unusual,” she said in a small stammer, “however, it is our ‘at home’ night, and you would be very welcome. We are quite informal on such evenings. We would not expect you to change from your driving clothes.”
Devlin’s instinct was to give a cool denial and stop any pretensions early. But he was intrigued by the beautiful Nicole and decided to withhold presupposition at least until after the drive. He could always “remember” a prior engagement if it became necessary.
Lord Devlin shocked Nicole by saying, “I would be charmed, Lady Beaumont.” As he walked out the door he said, “Lady Nicole, my carriage will call for you at six.”
Several hours later, the usually composed Nicole was in a state of high fidgets. Drat the man! she thought. She stamped her foot in vexation. Why could he not have taken the hint to go away? His appearance had upset her entire notion of priority!
And what was her mother about, inviting him to dinner? He was a famous Corinthian! He did not do “at homes” with a countrified family he had seen only twice. It must be so unusual that it amused him to accept. He was likely ruing the day he had ever expressed an interest in calling on them.
It was too late now, however. She only hoped it would not prove too embarrassing and that he would allow them to get through the last few weeks of the Season in relative obscurity. With his standing in Society, he had the power to make them the laughingstock of London. Home looked even more tempting!
Nicole finally settled on a russet driving gown and Stella chose a matching spencer and hat. Her dress was very simple, and she tied her hair in a loose chignon at her nape to keep it from blowing during the drive. She was in the foyer pulling on her gloves when a knock sounded at the front door. Geeves bowed gracefully. “Your lordship.”
Devlin came to Nicole immediately and raised her gloved hand to his lips in a swift kiss. He did not hold it overlong and she complimented him on his promptness.
“On the contrary,” he said in a teasing tone, “I believe my groom will like you immensely. He will be amazed that he will not have to keep the horses standing. I have sometimes driven ladies who are not known for being ready beforehand.”
“My lord, do not be absurd. I do understand the importance of a late entrance at a ball when just the right dramatic flair must be achieved,” she said, raising her nose to highlight her words. “But even I know better than to make a famous Corinthian keep his horses waiting!” She smiled, hoping he found her diverting in return. “You will note my astute awareness that you are a famous Corinthian. It is new knowledge, I will admit. I was not previously aware there was a specific title for such a sportsman before I came to London, but I am now cognizant of how important your horses must be to you.” Nicole finished her absurd greeting by taking his arm and asking, “Do you not then normally drive out with intelligent women, my lord?”
Devlin laughed aloud at Lady Nicole’s teasing while trying to reconcile it with her attitude of cool pride earlier in the morning. He must remember to expect the unexpected from this fascinating woman. But all he said was, “You would be surprised, my dear, very surprised.”
As they took the first step out of doors, Nicole begged his patience for one moment. “My lord, may I let my mother know what time you envision returning for supper?”
“If you are up to it, my lady, I propose that instead of going to the park where we might still run the risk of congested pathways, we take a leisurely drive through London. I daresay we should not be much more than an hour or so. I brought my curricle rather than my phaeton so we could converse easily. In my curricle, I may pay more attention to my companion than to my driving.”
“I would enjoy a drive through Town very much,” she said. Nicole then turned to the butler and said, “Geeves, would you let my mother know an hour or so for dinner, and would you please let Toby know we are ready to leave.”
Lord Devlin was confused. “Toby?” he asked. “Is there someone else joining us? It may cause us to be overcrowded.”
Who the deuce was Toby? he asked himself. He was trying hard not to show his vexation. He had truly been looking forward to this time alone with her, and now it was being ruined by someone he had never heard of.
“Oh dear, I am so sorry, my lord! Toby is my servant. Actually, more than a servant to me—he goes with me whenever I leave the house. He will ride in the back with your groom if that is acceptable, and I assure you he will not crowd us or inconvenience us in any way.”
He was not pleased. “I have apparently given you some cause for concern if you feel the need to provide your own chaperon,” Lord Devlin said coolly. “Let me put you at ease, my lady. I am not in the habit of seducing young ladies of Quality in broad daylight.”
She put her hand on his arm and said softly, “Forgive me, my lord, I had no intention of making you angry. Toby is not for propriety, and I am sorry if I gave you that impression. You see, I was in an … accident two years ago and Toby serves as my personal servant whenever I am out, in the event any special need should arise.” She took her hand off his arm and turned away, red and flushed. “I have come to take Toby so much for granted that I sometimes forget to inform others when making plans. I will certainly understand if you wish to cry off from the drive.”
Suddenly, Devlin felt like the worst cad. Why had he jumped to such conclusions without any basis? Why had it made him so angry that she might be bringing someone else? And why, after she explained about the accident, did he still resent the servant? He wanted to meet any special needs that might arise, though he had no idea what those might be.
These were new emotions for him, and it piqued his curiosity even more. He had been intrigued at the outset, anxious to know her better, and this was his opportunity.
“Lady Nicole, if we are to be friends as I hope, you may as well know now that I have a terror of a temper and it does not require much provocation. It is I who owe you an apology for jumping to conclusions, and I beg your forgiveness.
