Alice nodded and continued to examine the gown. Lydia took one last look in the mirror and left the room. A footman stood at the end of the corridor and directed her to the patio.
A gathering of about twenty people mingled there, conversing in small groups and sipping from teacups. Lydia made her way to a table along the balustrade covered with tea, small sandwiches, fruit and cheese. Another smaller table held fruit tarts and petit fours.
She filled her plate and poured a cup of tea. A footman approached her and offered to carry her things to a table. She thanked him and followed the man to a table with two open seats.
Miss Evermore and Mr. James Williams sat side-by-side. They had recently become betrothed. They didn’t seem too happy, but Lydia had heard that it was a match arranged by their parents. Such an old-fashioned notion. She smiled to herself imagining the conversation between her and Father should he ever suggest such a thing.
“Felicitations on your engagement,” Lydia said.
They both thanked her in such a way that she felt as though she was insulting them. Deciding to move onto more pleasant matters, she said, “I am so looking forward to this party. Have you heard what entertainments have been arranged?”
Miss Evermore finally smiled. “Yes. There will be boats available for the lake, a picnic, a trip into the village, and I believe Lady Louisa also mentioned parlor games and an evening of musical entertainment.”
Everything the young lady mentioned was common to house parties. But since Lydia had never been to one at the Battenberg estate, she’d hoped for something different.
“Do you know if the stables will be made available to the guests?” she asked.
Mr. Williams spoke up. “Yes. That was mentioned.”
Lydia loved to ride, but there were few places in Town that she could do so. There was always Rotten Row in Hyde Park, but ladies generally rode in carriages there, or strolled. Few rode horses and if they did, it was at such a sedate pace it didn’t seem worth her while.
She made plans to visit the stables after tea and see which horse she would like to ride.
A female gasp and murmering caught her attention. “He did come,” she heard someone whisper. She didn’t have to turn around to know Dante had arrived.
Damn him for being so elusive that everywhere he went he caused a scene. That, combined with his known charm and good looks would again have the women heading in his direction.
“Good afternoon, Miss Sanford.” Dante’s deep voice rolled over her as he took the seat alongside her, sitting sideways on the chair so he faced her.
She nodded and held out her hand. “Mr. Rose. A pleasure.”
To her annoyance, he laughed. Didn’t the man know how to behave in Polite Society? Even though they had appeared together at various events, they were not betrothed, so a certain amount of formality must be preserved.
“I agree, Miss Sanford. It is always a pleasure to see you.”
Lydia glanced over at Miss Evermore and Mr. Williams who both sat gaping at them. “Mr. Rose, may I present Miss Evermore and her betrothed, Mr. Williams.”
Dante nodded. “Williams. Miss Evermore, a pleasure.”
The couple nodded and mumbled a greeting.
“I am a bit hungry. Walk with me while I fill my plate,” he said, noticing her plate was empty.
They strolled to the table, being stopped by friends and the usual ladies looking for Dante’s attention. He was polite to everyone, but kept her arm linked with his as they made their way across the patio.
“The Ambassador’s carriage was just arriving as I walked to the front door.” Dante let go of her arm and began to fill a plate. “I have high hopes that we will be able to single out his contact here. With five days for them to connect and spend time together, we should be able to finish this assignment.”
The disappointment that always overwhelmed her when thinking of their assignment ending felt as though a cloud passed over the sun. She hated to admit it, but she enjoyed Dante’s company. He was funny, charming, thoughtful, and kissed like no one she’d ever kissed before.
But then, didn’t all the ladies think so? He would most likely return to his rakish ways once they said their goodbyes.
Well, she had a fine, happy life before she ever laid eyes on Mr. Dante Rose, and she would continue to have one after he was gone.
Maybe.
Dante found it bit disconcerting that when he stepped onto the patio his eyes quickly sought out Lydia. Like a magnet, he focused immediately on her sitting with another couple.
Before he could be stopped by other guests, he strolled to the table and took the chair next to her. Each time he saw her, it was if he was seeing her for the first time. Lydia was a beautiful woman, but her beauty also shone from within, with intelligence, wit, and courage.