The Season

nine

"Your mother allowed you to forgo an outing that would have brought you closer to marriage to go riding with Blackmoor?" Ella's eyes were enormous in their amazement.

One side of Alex's mouth turned up. "Indeed. When she asked me who I'd chosen, Gavin stepped in and convinced her it was all for the best because we would see a number of the men in question on our ride, and I could make 'an informed decision by the light of day as to who I would consider a potential husband.' She agreed without protest. It really was quite marvelous. What about you two? How did you fare on the morning after?" Alex looked from Ella to Vivi as they walked across Hyde Park meadow searching for the perfect spot to picnic in the midday sun.

Vivi spoke first. "I received callers all afternoon, which was as uninspiring as one would imagine, considering that both of my aunts swooped in to chaperone the entire event." Alex and Ella groaned in sympathy as Vivi went on. "Individually, they're tolerable, but as a pair, they're completely insufferable. They simpered over every eligible male who entered the house with a complete disregard for personality or motive. It appears all they're hoping for is a heartbeat. I've never been happier to see my father as I was when he came home and ended the whole fiasco."

"So you didn't receive a visit from The One, I'm guessing?" Ella asked drily.

Vivi laughed and shook her head. "I certainly hope not!" Pointing to a sunny rise in the meadow nearby, perfectly situated under an enormous oak, she suggested, "I think that looks like the perfect spot for a picnic."

Alex agreed, "And it's in a line of sight to the entrance to the park, which means Nick and Kit will find us easily."

The girls continued chatting happily as two footmen spread a large square of linen on the warm green grass and set stakes at its corners to anchor it in the spring breeze. One set a large wicker basket that he had carried from the carriage on the edge of the square, stood, and spoke. "My ladies, your picnic is ready."

Vivi turned with a smile. "Thank you, George. And you, John. This is lovely. There's no need for you to stand on ceremony... please, enjoy this wonderful day." With short bows to the girls, the two footmen moved several yards off to join the girls' ladies' maids, who were acting as chaperones for the afternoon. The servants opened a second basket of food and began their own afternoon luncheon.

The girls had just settled down and started unpacking the picnic basket when they heard a loud noise from across the meadow and saw Nick and Kit running toward them with no regard for decorum. Alex shook her head, watching them. "Boys. A shilling says that Nick challenged Kit to a race."

Ella looked up from her task and grinned. "Kit will win, as always."

"And Nick will pout, as always." Vivi looked out across the meadow in the direction from which the boys had come. "It looks like someone else came with them..." She squinted in the sunlight to make out the figure. "Is that Lord Stanhope?"

Alex shielded her eyes in the midmorning sun and attempted to make out the features on the young man in the distance. "It certainly is Stanhope.... I had better be careful," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Blackmoor thinks I'm in danger of spending too much time with him."

Ella settled onto the blanket and smoothed her skirts before beginning to unpack the luncheon from the basket. "Yet another double standard. Rakes are too dangerous as companions to women, but when there are other men nearby, they're perfectly acceptable... as long as they have a title."

Vivi looked at her friend thoughtfully. "I think perhaps Stanhope is a rake willing to be reformed."

"If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting" — Alex stared wide-eyed at her friend —"your brain is obviously addled."

"Think what you will." Vivi smiled smugly. "I wager I’ll be proven right before the afternoon is through."

A smart retort was left on the tip of Alex's tongue as Kit flew up the rise and nearly crashed into the massive oak. Turning quickly, he leaned back against the tree with his arms crossed and made a show of looking bored as Nick tore up behind him.

"Oh, Nick, you're here at last. We were just wondering what had happened to you."

Nick glared at his brother while he caught his breath. "I’ll get you next time — I didn't eat much of a breakfast today."

"Is that your excuse for all the other times you've lost to him in a footrace?" Alex said teasingly. "Really, Nick... I should think you'd have learned your lesson by now. He's faster than you."

Kit smirked at his brother. "See? Even our baby sister knows it."

Taking a glass of lemonade from Ella, Alex continued, "However, given the choice between speed and intelligence, I'd say you made away with the better part of that deal." Everyone laughed at Kit's narrowed eyes and, with a smile, Alex extended a plate of roasted quail to him as a peace offering.

"Did you bring Lord Stanhope with you?" asked Alex. "Or is it coincidence that he's heading in this direction?"

Nick shook his head. "Stanhope called on us this morning at Worthington House. After some conversation, he decided to join us."

Vivi looked straight at Alex and queried innocently, "Oh? He just stopped by Worthington House this morning? By chance?" Alex shot her friend a quelling look. Vivi popped a grape in her mouth and smiled around it. After swallowing, she continued, not looking away from her friend, "How interesting."

Stanhope heard the tail end of the conversation and spoke as he climbed the last few feet of the rise to the picnic blanket. "I hope you don't mind my intrusion, my ladies." Bowing low, he granted the girls one of his trademark lopsided grins, letting his gaze linger on Alex. "When I heard such a trio would be here, I couldn't resist tagging along."

"By all means, Lord Stanhope, there is plenty to be shared, including this lovely spot." Ella spoke from her perch on the corner of the blanket. She had extracted her journal and begun sketching the scenery that lay before them.

"Indeed." The tenor of Stanhope's voice deepened and he winked exaggeratedly at Alex, who couldn't contain her laughter at his obvious flirting. In return, he offered her another broad grin, and seated himself on the blanket, leaning back against the trunk of the oak and accepting an oat cake from a basket proffered by Vivi, who was struggling to keep her smug look unnoticed.

Alex rolled her eyes at her friend and turned so that Vivi wasn't in her direct line of sight. "Lord Stanhope, I seem to recall will saying that you have a talent for art. Is that still the case?"

Stanhope shook his head. "To be honest, Lady Stafford, it's been years since I've had a hand in artistry of any kind. I'm sorry to disappoint." Redirecting his gaze to Ella, he continued, "But Lady Eleanor, I see that you are quite the accomplished artist. Would you be willing to show us the contents of your sketchbook?"

Ella looked up from her work, appearing not a little like a doe caught unawares by a hunter. After clearing her throat daintily, something that her friends knew she did to gain time to think of a proper response, she seemed to realize that Stanhope was not the type of person to take no for an answer. Add to that Nick's encouraging, "Lady Eleanor is too modest — she has a remarkable eye for charcoal drawings," and she knew she couldn't escape.

Flipping to the front of her sketchbook, Ella quickly turned the pages, past landscapes and still life drawings, saying, "It's all quite boring, actually...."

When she reached a page in the book that held a stunning portrait of Alex, Stanhope spoke quietly, "That's not at all boring." Vivi coughed into her hand; Alex shot her an exasperated glance.

"May I?" He reached for the sketchbook, which Ella turned over reluctantly.

Looking down at the drawing, Stanhope spoke, his voice thick with appreciation. "It's a remarkable likeness, Lady Eleanor. You've captured movement and life here — something that is virtually impossible for most who try their hand at being artists." Smiling at Ella, he continued, "Now I understand why I rarely see you without paper and pencil."

He continued to flip through the sketchbook, pointing out places where Ella had drawn a perfect line, or shaded a figure just so. The two were soon deep in conversation about Ella's art, and his compliments were so heartfelt that Alex had no doubt that Freddie Stanhope was far less of a rake than he let on.

Even Nick and Kit were distracted from their discussion of the new curricle that had just passed the group; they appeared slightly dumbfounded at the earnestness of their friend. Alex couldn't resist saying, "You see? It wouldn't hurt the two of you to take some interest in something other than horses, hunting, and cards. Perhaps you should consider taking up a pursuit or two which are slightly more cultured?"

Vivi spoke up, laughing at Alex, "At the risk of betraying our friendship, Alex, it's not as though you've been consumed by artistic tendencies yourself."

Alex smiled broadly. "On the contrary... I'm just not good at them, so I leave them to you and Ella. Instead, I endeavor to be an excellent champion of the arts. I think I'm quite a success at that."

Stanhope looked up from his appreciation of Ella's work and smiled back at her. "Champions are certainly as important as the artists themselves, Lady Alexandra."

She laughed. "Thank you, Lord Stanhope, you're very kind, although I’ll admit I'm not sure I believe you." Her response brought a rich laugh from him, reminding her of how much she had always enjoyed his company.

He moved closer, replying with a gleam in his rich brown eyes, "Then I shall have to attempt to convince you."

Vivi cleared her throat delicately and made a production of speaking brightly to Ella across the picnic, "Ella, you should try your hand at drawing a collection of figures... perhaps Nick and Kit and I should be your subjects this afternoon?" With a graceful movement, she settled herself nearer the Worthington brothers, conveniently upwind of Alex and Lord Stanhope, and produced a deck of cards. "It's not the most masculine of games, my lords, but may I tempt you into a round of whist?"

And, with that, Vivi had redirected everyone's attention away from Alex and Stanhope, who were now left alone on their patch of linen. Nick noticed and said with a mock threat in his voice, "I've got my eye on you, Stanhope.... Remember, you flirt with my only sister."

Stanhope nodded at Nick with feigned seriousness and replied, "I wouldn't dare be inappropriate, Lord Farrow."

His use of Nick's seldom used title amused the group, and he turned a wide grin on Alex as laughter floated across the green.

"Your reputation is quite impressive, my lord," Alex spoke quietly, referencing Nick's jest, her tone half teasing. "I confess, growing up with you, I wouldn't have expected it."

"I could play as though I do not understand your inference, my lady, but that would be a silly pretense. I assume you're referring to my notoriety as a rake? You shouldn't believe everything you hear gossiped about in ball rooms."

"Oh, no need to worry, my lord. I don't."

"No?"

"Not remotely. Considering my memories of you from our shared childhood, I find it quite difficult to believe you a danger either to me or to my reputation."

He chuckled and replied quietly, "Be careful, my lady. There's a fine line between complimenting a gentleman and wounding his ego."

Impishly, she smiled up at him. "My apologies, Lord Stanhope. Of course, I meant that I don't believe you pose a threat to either my reputation or to me at this particular moment. I would certainly think twice before all owing you the chance to escort me somewhere where your notorious wickedness could be unleashed, however."

With a loud laugh that caused the other four members of their party to look over, he flashed her an admiring glance. "Much better, and exactly what I imagine the elderly ladies of the ton would want you to think. After all, if the rumors are to be believed, I eat young ladies fresh on the marriage mart for breakfast."

"Ah, well, then, I am safe from you. I am not 'on the marriage mart.'"

"Oh, you aren't?" His reply was laced with interest.

She shook her head with a smile, "No. I'm not. I'm not interested in marriage."

One of his eyebrows cocked. "You're not?"

"No. When you were seventeen, were you thinking about marriage?"

His response was filled with humor. "Certainly not."

"Aha!" She pointed at him with emphasis. "You see? That answer proves my point! You think it's completely unfathomable that a boy of seventeen even think about marriage!"

"Yes. I do."

"So why should I be thinking about it?"

"An excellent question."

His frank response surprised her and she pulled back to assess him. "You really mean that."

"To be sure. I've never understood the expectation that women and men should adhere to different rules and protocols when it comes to courtship and marriage. I say, stay unattached as long as you like. From the marriages I've witnessed in the course of my life, the institution isn't quite what it's cracked up to be anyway." Leaning closer, he wriggled his eyebrows in mock villainy and continued, "I shouldn't like to see you married off too soon, anyway, my lady."

The extreme flirtation inspired a burst of laughter from Alex, which forced Stanhope to chuckle himself and to offer, "Well, what did you expect? I have a reputation to keep up!"

Alex's eyes twinkled with humor, and she grinned broadly. "Why, Frederick, Lord Stanhope. You're a fraud!"

He leaned close to her ear and spoke in a voice too quiet to be overheard by their neighbors, "Shhh. Don't let that get around. 'Twil ruin me."

So thoroughly had Alex been enjoying their banter that she hadn't noticed the approach of two newcomers to their idylic afternoon. Looking up from Lord Stanhope, she noticed that they had arrived just as she had burst into laughter, and her humor died in her throat. There, standing at the edge of the linen square, gazing down with expressions that could only be described as, respectively, bored uninterest and supreme aggravation, were Penelope Grayson and Gavin, Lord Blackmoor.

From his place on the linen blanket, Lord Stanhope, curious about Alex's sudden change in demeanor, followed the direction of her gaze and, as proper etiquette demanded, immediately stood to greet Penelope and Blackmoor, along with the already standing Nick and Kit. "Lady Penelope, as always, it is a pleasure to see you. You've only made this pleasant afternoon more lovely."

One of Alex's eyebrows shot up.

"Thank you, my lord. I admit that I was skeptical about a walk in the park. I prefer to ride, but the day is bright and sunny, if on the cool side. I hope I do not catch a chill."

At this, Alex rolled her eyes, only to be caught by Blackmoor, whose gaze sharpened. Pretending not to notice, Alex smoothed her skirts and looked over at Ella, who had stopped sketching to send an Is she serious? look in Alex's direction.

"You must join us!" Nick exclaimed. "What luck that we would meet!" With a resigned sigh, Alex stood to move closer to Ella — secretly afraid that the expanse of linen that had been unoccupied would be filled with the odious Penelope, and Alex would be forced to ruin a perfectly charming afternoon by interacting with the unpleasant young woman.

Before she could move, however, Blackmoor intercepted her, speaking quietly while bowing low over her hand. "Lady Alexandra, I trust that you don't object to our company for the afternoon. I would hate to ruin your outing." Their gazes met and Alex noted the warning in his grey eyes; she knew he was daring her to say something negative about his arrival with Penelope, and she stiffened, wishing she could wipe the expression from his face without causing a scene that would be discussed in London ball rooms for years. Of course, she didn't. In a feat of good manners that rivaled those of Queen Charlotte herself, Alex plastered a smile on her lips and spoke brightly, albeit through her teeth, "Certainly not, my lord. I cannot think of two more welcome additions to our little gathering." Removing her hand forcefuly from his grasp, she continued, "I think I shall take a walk — I do so enjoy them... especially in the cool air." Her remark, designed to underscore the ridiculousness of his companion, hit home and his eyes narrowed at her boldness.

Vivi, who had overheard their conversation, stood and offered, "I should like to join you, Alex. I would benefit from a turn about the green."

Ella spoke from her perch on the blanket, "I shall come, too!"

And with that, the three were off, walking down their little hill and onto the greensward. Alex set the pace, her long legs eating up the ground as she marched away from the group, Ella and Vivi rushing to catch up.

"It's utterly remarkable how a perfectly pleasant afternoon can be ruined by the arrival of one unpleasant person."

Vivi spoke drily, "Are we talking about Penelope? Or Blackmoor?"

"If we keep going at this pace," said Ella, "I'm not going to be talking much at all... I’ll need all the breath I have just to keep from swooning for lack of air."

Alex slowed her strides. "We're talking about both! Though, to be fair, she's always unpleasant. What befuddles me is that he seems to be becoming unpleasant himself... as he becomes more and more enamored of her!"

"With all due respect, Alex, you seem slightly more than befuddled. You seem..." Vivi paused, searching for the word.

"Furious," Ella supplied frankly.

"I'm not furious," Alex said in frustration, "but besides not understanding what he sees in her... I simply find it unbelievable that he would think he could speak to me as if I were a child! It makes me..." She stopped, at a loss for words.

"Furious?" Ella offered.

Alex threw her a glare. "Irritated."

"Blackmoor seems just as chivalrous as always to me," said Vivi. "Although, considering his prior warnings to you about Stanhope, it wouldn't surprise me if he were slightly unnerved by the portrait the two of you were making."

"It would serve him right!" Then, forgetting her ire momentarily, Alex turned to Vivi. "What portrait? We were simply enjoying our afternoon. Stanhope has been a perfect gentleman."

"That may well be the case, Alex, but the two of you did appear rather..." Vivi let her sentence trail off. "Cozy." This, again, from Ella.

"Must you finish all her sentences?" Alex gave Ella an exasperated look.

Ella smiled brightly. "It's a particular skill."

"Stanhope and I were not 'cozy.' We were having a perfectly harmless conversation until Blackmoor appeared with that awful..."

"Penelope." In the pause that followed her addition, Ella looked innocently at Alex, a twinkle in her cornflower-blue eyes.

Unable to be angry with her friend, Alex chuckled and wagged a finger in warning. "Ella. You tread on thin ice."

"Ah, but you must admit, my ability to exasperate is part of my charm."

"You have charm?"

Vivi answered with laughter in her voice, "A very small amount. If you blink, you might miss it."

"Oh!" Ella cried out in mock offense, and the three laughed together.

Alex smiled and continued, "I suppose I shouldn't let them mar an otherwise lovely day. I shall rise above it."

Vivi nodded. "Very generous of you."

"Thank you. I rather thought so."

Ella spoke, squinting at a figure approaching them. "Is that Baron Montgrave? It is! Vivi, you have to meet him. He's got some fascinating tales — you're going to just adore him."

"Well, considering your eagerness to reacquaint yourself with him... I find I am quite eager myself." Vivi looked toward the tall Frenchman and continued, "If what you both say of the baron is true, he's bound to be the most interesting part of the afternoon."

Alex spoke under her breath as the baron drew near, "That's not saying much, considering the recent less than scintil ating addition of Penelope to the afternoon."

Ella turned back at Alex's sarcasm. "As your friend, I feel I must tell you that you're becoming obsessed."

"I am not obsessed! I simply —"

"Baron Montgrave!" Ella spoke cheerfully as the Frenchman reached them. "What a pleasure to see you!

You've rescued us from an afternoon filled with repetitive conversation!"

Standing slightly behind her friend, Alex poked Ella in the back none too lightly and over her quiet "Ow!" pasted a smile on her face to rival her friend's.

"Indeed, my lord, you are well met."

Bowing deeply, the baron returned the girls' smiles. "Surely it is you who have rescued me, my ladies. Fortune appears to have smiled upon me to have provided me with such elegant company."

Alex turned to Vivi. "My lord, may I introduce our dear friend Lady Vivian Markwell? Lady Vivian, I present the Baron Montgrave."

"Enchantée." The baron bowed low over Vivian's hand. "I know your father well and have heard him speak of you with great pride. It is an honor to meet you finally."

Vivi fell into a deep curtsy and met the baron's warm gaze. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lord. What brings you to this meadow by the Serpentine today?"

"One can never have too many afternoon walks in the beautiful weather. That is something I learned in the country and I am loathe to forget it now in the bustle of the city."

Alex smiled. "Well said, Baron. I imagine that, after a lifetime in France, you must find us rather soggy."

With a chuckle, the baron nodded in agreement as Ella spoke. "We were taking advantage of this lovely weather ourselves, as it happens. Would you care to join our little party, my lord?" She extended her hand to indicate the cluster of young people up on the knoll.

Following her gaze, the baron shook his head to decline gracefully. "Thank you, no, my ladies. I fear I would ruin such a youthful outing."

"Nonsense!" Alex's unladylike outburst drew startled looks from all three of her companions. Looking at her friends, she lowered her voice defensively,

"Well, it is."

"What Lady Alexandra means to say, my lord," Vivi offered, unable to hide a wide, amused grin, "is that you are more than welcome at our little gathering; we would very much enjoy your company."

Laughter came to Alex's eye and she interjected, "Isn't that what I said?"

The baron laughed again and spoke warmly, "Certainly, my lady, that is what I heard." Offering an arm, he continued, "May I escort you back to your party, although I regret I will not join you?"

Alex took the aging Frenchman's arm and spoke in a conspiratorial tone, "Thank you, my lord — both for the escort and for your failure to mention my bad behavior. I assure you, my parents have done their best and all discernible flaws are entirely my own."

"And I assure you, Lady Alexandra, I have seen none of these flaws that you speak of. Surely, they do not exist."

Alex laughed. "My family — particularly my brothers — would disagree with you on that point, Baron." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "No matter what you say, you are a welcome addition to our little world — mine especially."

"I shall happily defend you to your brothers, Lady Alexandra. Being a brother myself, I am sure I speak their language well. There are four, are there not?"

Alex shook her head with a quick laugh. "Thankfully, no. I've only three brothers — three too many, it seems some days."

"Of course... I do not know why I thought there were four."

"You are not alone. It sometimes feels that way. Lord Blackmoor and they are thick as thieves, which explains his constant presence and the confusion about the number of Stafford siblings."

The baron stilled, looking at Alex quizzically. "Lord Blackmoor, you say — friends with your brothers?"

"That is correct."

"Ah, that is interesting."

"Is it? After seventeen years of their combined company, good sir, I'm afraid I find it rather more tiresome than interesting."

He chuckled good-naturedly at her response and continued, more seriously, "If I may, how is the new, young earl faring with the loss of his father?"

It was a common enough question, one that Alex had heard a number of times. She answered without thinking,

"Well enough, I think. He does not speak of it much, and he seems to have — matured — if that makes sense. Our families have always been very close and I was well aware of how important his relationship with his father was to Lord Blackmoor." Alex's voice had softened and her gaze, of its own accord, had moved to Gavin up on the knoll, smiling at something Kit was saying. She couldn't help thinking that even his smile was subdued in comparison to that of a year ago. "I am filled with sorrow for the pain he must feel."

She trailed off, realizing that Ella and Vivi were both looking at her with surprised expressions. She was sharing too much with this little-known companion — too much about Blackmoor, but more importantly, too much of her own emotions. Young English ladies were not supposed to have such opinions and thoughts. They were not supposed to speak so freely. Looking at the Frenchman, Alex couldn't help but notice his obvious discomfort with the situation — he was looking slightly desperate to escape.

With an inner sigh, Alex changed tack, a wry smile on her face. "I fear, my lord, you are too easy to speak with. I should not share so much of my thinking. I must be boring you."

"Not at all, my lady." The Frenchman looked distractedly into the distance, lost in thought. "The elder earl was a fine man — a great hero. I'm sorry to hear of his loss."

"You are not alone. He was much revered by those who knew him well."

"May I ask...?" The question hung in the air between them, the normaly poised baron seeming uncertain of the proper etiquette in this particular situation.

Alex took pity on him and did not wait for him to finish his query. She knew what he was asking. With a tiny nod, she spoke. "It was an accident — the earl was thrown from his horse at the Blackmoor estate. He fell to his death." Without thinking, she continued, "One almost cannot believe that it was an accident." She waved a hand in dismissal at his surprised look. "It's silly, of course. The earl had few, if any, enemies."

Alex couldn't help but notice that the old man had gone white as a sheet. "Baron, are you all right?" She looked back with alarm toward Vivi and Ella.

"I am quite well, yes, my lady. Unfortunately, the hour grows late, and I must regretfully take my leave." Bowing low to the trio of girls, he made quick work of his farewell and hurried off, as though he couldn't get away fast enough.

His abrupt decision to depart underscored his obvious discomfort with Alex's frank conversation. She watched his speedy exit across the greensward, feeling slightly sorry for herself and, with a sigh, turned back toward the little group on the hill.

Hearing Penelope's giggles and the boys' laughter, she had a sudden desire to be far away from there, far away from that place that required so much effort, so much thought. She found herself exhausted by the entire charade of this first week in society. She had always known it would be a struggle to be the perfect company — to say all the proper things without appearing too opinionated, too frank, too much herself — but now, watching her friends and her brothers laugh and joke together, all so seamlessly integrated into their roles as members of London society, she couldn't help but wonder if there was something wrong with her.

She watched as Blackmoor leaned in to say something just out of earshot to Penelope, and felt a flash of irritation as she responded with a well-practiced demure smile and shy dip of her head. Ugh. Yes. Alex had definitely had enough of society for today.

She caught Stanhope's eye and, gallant as ever, he stood and moved toward her. "Are you unwell, Lady Alexandra?"

She couldn't stop herself from looking past his broad shoulders, from meeting Blackmoor's unreadable gaze as he looked up from his cards, distracted for a moment. A warning flashed ever so briefly in his grey eyes — gone so quickly that Alex might have imagined it.

She ignored it anyway and replied, "Not at all, my lord. Just a slight headache. I think I shall return home, and by tonight, I should be right as rain. Would you mind very much escorting me to Worthington House? I wouldn't like to ruin the afternoon for everyone else."