Chapter7
There was indeed a river of people flowing past the front of the inn.A few sat in carriages and several rode on horseback, but most were on foot.Singly, in pairs, in groups—it didn’t seem to matter.Strangers exchanged smiles and fell into step beside each other, excited about… well,something, apparently.
Donovan and Geoffrey waited for an opening, then stepped into the crowd and let the current sweep them along.
“What is happening?”the duke enquired of a woman on his left as he and Geoffrey strode along with the crowd.
The woman stared at Donovan as though he had just admitted to never having heard of the King of England.“Why, it’s the grand unveiling!”
“Nothing’s veiled,” muttered the seventeen or eighteen-year-old daughter at her side.“They’re flowers.Plants need sun.”
“Rhubarb is sweeter without sun,” countered the girl’s younger brother.
“Not everyone is a budding Royal Botanist,” the girl snapped.
“‘Budding’.”The boy elbowed his sister in the ribs.“Splendid play on words, poetess.”
The mother ignored them both.“Today is the jubilee celebration marking fifty years of successful matchmaking—”
“‘Jubilee’means‘fifty years’,” said the girl.“And not everyone makes a match.”
“Well, you might have if—” began her brother.
“It’s the botanical gardens,” the mother said to Donovan more loudly, trying to be heard over her bickering children.“As grand as Versailles—”
“Four hundred hectares arehalfas many as Versailles,” said her daughter.
“But still impressive,” put in the boy.“A hundred times the size of Vauxhall Gardens.”
“Threehundred times the size,” his sister corrected.
“You’re proving my point,” her brother said smugly.
“At the center of which,” their mother continued, “is England’s largest hedgerow labyrinth, which hides several dozen enclaves containing follies, ponds, piazzas, Chinese temples…”
“Two hundred times as unsavory as Vauxhall Gardens’ Dark Walk,” the boy said with sparkling eyes.
“I’m not allowed in without Mother,” his sister confirmed bitterly.
“Butno onewill bother with the labyrinth until after the May King and Queen are crowned,” said their mother.“That grand unveiling is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.”
“I’ve been waiting for lemon ices,” said the boy.
“I prefer raspberry,” said the girl.
“I see,” said Donovan, with a glance at his valet.“Thank you.”
“There’s an orchestra every afternoon and dancing every night,” the mother added.“You really cannot miss any of the festivities.”
“We wouldn’t dream of it,” said Geoffrey with a straight face.
Donovan nodded.“He came here specifically for the crowning of the May Queen.”
“It could have been my Permelia,” said the mother, nudging her daughter crossly.“If she would haveaccepteda certain gentleman’s offer last year at this time.”
“Oh dear,” said Geoffrey.“Is the May Queen already spoken for?”
“Pity,” said the duke, and shook his head sorrowfully.
