“Do you like her?”
“She’s agreeable.”
“Bah.” She kicked a rock and shoved her hands inside her mantle.
“Juney. I must take a wife.” And he had few choices, but June didn’t know that. He sighed. “Yes, I quite like her.” Not a lie, just not an answer to June’s actual question.
“I think you should ask Lady Emma for help.”
“Help with what?” He glanced over his shoulder. Seven women of a variety of ages streamed out behind him like a parade of velvet and ribbons set to the tune of happy chattering. Lady Emma walked at the very back alongside Felicity, her head bent toward the younger girl, her expression serious as Felicity’s lips flew fast and animated.
He choked a grin away. Felicity talked more quickly than anyone he’d ever met. Hopefully, Lady Emma could listen just as quickly.
“Samuuuueeeel.” June dragged her feet and hung her arms.
“Juuuun-eeeey.”
She slapped his arm. “Let Lady Emma help. You already like her.”
“Like her?” He may have said that a bit too loudly. “Like her? I barely know her.” There. A more reasonable tone that time.
“You were teasing each other earlier. Do not pretend otherwise. I saw it.”
“We were being polite.”
“You do not tease. Anyone.”
“I tease you.” He knocked his elbow into her arms, tilting her sideways for one step.
“But no one else. Ever. Until this morning. Until Lady Emma.”
He shrugged. “She has sisters. I have sisters. We commiserate.”
“Hm.”
“I do not need a matchmaker, Juney.” He inserted just enough discipline into the words that she might actually heed them. “I’ve already found my match.”
“Then let me meet the widow.” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.
“You will. Soon, no doubt.”
“By meet, I meaninterrogate.”
He allowed himself a chuckle. “No doubt. You’d terrify her within an inch of her life, little beetle, and discover every one of her secrets.” But no need. He already knew everything that mattered about her—he couldn’t ruin her through marriage, through possible scandal in every opened book.
June stuck her tongue out, and after looking about, Samuel stuck his tongue out in return. She laughed, then hurried across the street and into the park.
“Be careful!” Samuel roared. June raised her hand and waved. She’d heard him. Whether she obeyed him was another matter. She’d have to tame her ways soon. Felt like a needle carving up his heart in slow, tiny slices.
He must focus on the target. Yes. He was already enjoying his sisters and already ignoring Lady Emma. Now to find Lady Huxley. He slowed down as he searched the park in either direction as far as he could see. The ladies of his party meandered toward the most crowded bit of the park, Felicity surreptitiously pointing at various people. Variousmen. LadyEmma turned wherever Felicity pointed, considered, then pulled a tiny book and pencil from her reticule and bent over to scribble tiny notes.
What did she write there? How much would it differ from his old, abandoned observations? Curiosity felt like an itch at the back of his neck he could not reach because of his cursed cravat.
“Your Grace!” The voice swung him around. Lady Huxley hurried his way. “You were looking for me, I hope.”
“We had an engagement to meet here. Naturally.”
“You have a large party with you today,” she said. “I thought this would be a more intimate outing.”
