“Oh, Miss Hamlin!” Mrs. Platt said with a welcoming smile. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I didn’t mean to intrude.” Ashley gestured at the flowerbeds that were being planted. “I just…”
“What if Wendy, Susan, Alice, and Carol here give you a little tour, and we see how much they remember of their lessons?”
The girls curtsied and took turns pointing out each of the plants they were growing, between the four of them listing the medicinal and culinary uses, along with giving the Latin and common names. In the distance Ashley heard the peaceful, muted roar of the surf as the tide came in. More girls came out onto the steps of theport cochereto watch the proceedings. By the time they got all the way around the front garden, the sun was beginning to set.
“I don’t wish to keep you any longer,” Ashley said, raising her voice to be heard above the sound of thundering hooves. Goodness, was this noise something they routinely had to deal with, located so close to an inn? “Tomorrow we can—” She broke off as a coach and six came to an abrupt stop in front of the school, harnesses jangling, blocking the street.
And not just any coach and six. The most elegant coach she had ever clapped eyes on, with so much gilt trim glinting in the setting sun she was almost blinded. Each horse was more stunning than the last, with not one but three men riding postilion.
Two grooms occupied the jump seat at the back. Four riders in full military uniform halted just behind the coach, the horses stamping their hooves.
Aunt Eunice gasped. “Is that the royal crest on the door?”
“Are you expecting visitors?” Ashley said faintly.
Mrs. Platt shook her head.
Behind them the girls were chattering, wondering who could possibly be in such a fancy coach. Could it be the king himself? Perhaps the prince was on his way from one pleasure house to another, but what could possibly bring His Majesty or His Highness to Bognor? And stop at the school?
One of the grooms jumped down. Before he could reach the coach door, it flew open and the occupant stepped out.
Ashley held her hand over her heart that threatened to pound right out of her chest. “David?”
Chapter 20
Ravencroft got his bearings on the ground, tugged his waistcoat into place, and gave his head a little toss to flip his hair out of his eyes as he looked around.
Aunt Eunice gasped again.
Ashley was incapable of gasping, as she couldn’t draw air. Couldn’t move a muscle if her life depended on it.
David spotted her. He broke into a huge grin and strode toward her.
His smile faltered as he got closer, perhaps uncertain of his welcome. He stopped directly in front of Ashley, giving a nod of acknowledgment that included Aunt Eunice, Mrs. Platt, and all the girls avidly watching. His tongue darted out to lick his lips before he drew breath to speak. “His Highness extends his apologies and hopes you’ll forgive him.”
Of all the words she’d been waiting and hoping to hear from David, these weren’t them. “I beg your pardon? The prince asksmyforgiveness?” She blinked. “The prince.”
David nodded.
Ashley looked beyond David to the coach. Definitely looked like it belonged to the royal family. Each of the smartly uniformed outriders, grooms, and postilions looked back at her.
She stared at David. “Why?” So many questions swirled through her brain, she couldn’t string together more than one syllable.
David’s cheeks flushed pink though he didn’t break eye contact with her. “For abducting me when I was about to propose to you.”
Beside her, Aunt Eunice muffled a startled exclamation, her hand over her mouth.
David noted their audience, everyone unabashedly eavesdropping, and held out his left arm. “Walk with me?”
Ashley glanced at Aunt Eunice, who made shooing motions. Ashley tucked her arm through David’s and they strolled to a row of mulberry bushes on the far side of the garden.
Moving her feet apparently freed her tongue. “I’ve been worried about you. And angry. And worried.”
“I’m so sorry, honey.” He held both of her hands in his. “The prince sent his equerries, a lieutenant colonel and a major, to summon me for a command performance. I didn’t have a chance to speak to anyone before they practically carried me out of Mansfield’s townhouse.”
She remembered how he’d arrived that night. “The way Fairfax and Westbrook carried you in?”
