…
Brice returned mid-morning on Friday, but he didn’t have the papers Stephan had been expecting from his solicitor. Stephan tried not to show his disappointment as Brice stepped aboard theLady.If Tisdale had told Caroline the truth about a potential warrant for Stephan’s arrest, he needed to know what information his solicitor had uncovered.
“Did anyone know why the mail coach was delayed?”
Brice shook his head. “When I got to Crawley, Eric was already waiting for it. Neither of us had run into Flannery, either.”
“He may not have stopped at the coaching inn because he wanted to intercept the post before it got there,” Stephan said.
“You are assuming he—or Tisdale—would have known you were expecting a report,” Brice answered. “That is kind of a long shot.”
“True, but I find it odd that Captain Flannery would take leave so close to the regatta.”
“Well, the sea trials are finished. If there were anything that still needed to be done to prepare for the race, Prinny would not be hosting a lawn party this afternoon.” Brice shrugged. “But if Flannery was sent on that errand, Eric will be right behind him. He decided to ride north to find the coach while I returned here.”
“Ah, good. That relieves a burden,” Stephan replied and then told Brice what had transpired yesterday, although he left out the best part—finishing with Lockwood’s proposal to secure a blank special license.
“Strange that Lockwood is taking such an interest in a marriage license for Caroline,” Brice said. “Why would he concern himself about whom she marries?”
“I have no idea,” Stephan answered, “but I applied for my own special license first thing this morning. And it has my name on it.”
Brice eyed him. “I assume Caroline knows of this?”
“Knows and approves.” Stephan couldn’t help grinning. “She said yes.”
“Then I guess congratulations are in order.”
Stephan tilted his head to study Brice. “You do not sound overly happy for my fortune.”
“It is not that. I am glad that the charade turned out to be serious for both you and Caroline. It is just…” Brice let his voice trail off.
“Just what?”
“Nothing really. It is just that…I have lost my two best friends to marriage within the last few months.” Brice gave Stephan an apprehensive look. “You are not planning to sail off somewhere like Alex did, are you?”
“I suspect Caroline will be content to stay in Kent. We have not discussed the details yet.” Stephan gave him a speculative look. “Maybe it is time for you to find a wife.”
Brice gave a shudder. “No thanks. I am still enjoying being a rake. In fact, the reason I did not return last night was because there was a friendly barmaid at the inn. A very friendly one.”
“Probably a couple of months ago I would have enjoyed that kind of escapade,” Stephan answered, “but things change once you meet the right someone. You will see.”
“Let us hope that does not happen for a long, long time.” He grinned suddenly. “If I remember correctly, Lady Lockwood’s lady’s maid is quite friendly, too. I may have to remake my acquaintance of her this afternoon.”
Stephan shook his head. “I doubt you will have the chance. Prinny’s scheduled a round ofpaille-maillefor the lawn party. You will be paired up with someone.”
Brice groaned. “Lord preserve me from having to listen to some debutante’s idle, never-stopping chatter about bonnets and ribbons and such.”
Stephan almost felt sorry for his plight. The only thing worse than listening to an endless stream of trivia—and pretending to be paying attention—was having the inevitable, hovering mama join in the conversation.
As it turned out, he needn’t have been concerned. Lady Lockwood, with Miss Sarah Vincent in tow, approached them with such alacrity the minute they entered the Pavilion’s garden area that Stephan suspected she had been lying in wait.
Lady Lockwood smiled coyly at Brice. “You are absolutely the most perfect person to teach my American niece the game ofpaille-maille.”
“I—”
“If memory serves,” Vanessa went on, “you were quite the champion last summer at the Lindfords’ country party.” She lowered her lashes and looked at Brice through them. “You drove that ball into the arch with minimal strokes.”
The way she emphasized the words, loading them with sexual innuendo, made Stephan blink, and even Brice’s face turned a bit pink. The countess had let it be known on more than one occasion that she would welcome Brice into her bed. Luckily, the American girl didn’t seem to catch on.