"Heaven forbid," his friend assured him. "I would not like the task of taming that little bundle of vanity and mischief, Fairfax. Though she does have something to be vain about, I will admit.A decidedly shapely body, for example."
"Most," Fairfax agreed. "Do you not itch to see it without the encumbrance of clothing, Sedge? And touch it?"
"If she were a different class of female,"Sedgeworthsaid, "I might be tempted to think along those lines, Fairfax. But there is no point in even teasing one's mind with such thoughts of a lady. Unless one has the intention of leading her to the altar, that is. And frankly, I consider a leg shackle far too high a price to pay merely for the pleasure of putting a female in my bed."
Fairfax laughed. "You must have an iron will, Sedge," he said. "You will not consider marriage to a lady, yet you are too high-principled to take a mistress or to hire yourself a whore. Tell me, when was the last time you had a woman?"
"That is not a pertinent question, Fairfax," his friend said in some discomfort. "A man has to have some secrets even from his friends."
Yes, he does, Fairfax thought. Sedge took for granted that the purpose of their visit to the Jamieson house was to call on Miss Jamieson. And Fairfax was content to let him think so. He wanted to keep quite silent about his interest in Miss Matthews until he knew her a little better and had made up his mind whether he was really serious about his idea of marrying her or not. He certainly did not want his companion's teasing on the matter.
When they were shown into Sir Alfred Jamieson's drawing room a few minutes later, they found it already crowded. Mrs. and Miss Crawley were there, and three young gentlemen, all seated close to Honor. Mr.Fafordwas standing at the opposite side of the fireplace, apparently taking his leave of Jane. He crossed the room while the two newcomers were still greeting Lady Jamieson, and stood talking with them for a few minutes before leaving.
Fairfax was pleased to find that there was no empty seat close to Miss Jamieson, while a chair had quite conveniently been vacated next to Miss Matthews. It would therefore not look at all suspicious for him to stroll across the room and sit next to her. He did so whileSedgeworthaccepted a seat close to a smiling Miss Crawley.
"May I?" Fairfax said, indicating the empty chair.
"Of course, my lord," Jane said, looking up wide-eyed into his face. And then she added in some confusion, "I do beg your pardon. I thought you would go to the other side of the room."
"It seems a little crowded in that direction," he said. "I notice that Miss Jamieson does not lack for admirers."
"She has taken very well," Jane agreed. She bent her head over the needlepoint she had picked up when Mr.Fafordleft.
Fairfax watched her for a while. "This is another example of that very worthless life you lead, nodoubt,MissMatthews," he said. "You do the most delicate work. Would you like me to hold my quizzing glass between your eyes and the needle so that you can see what you are doing?"
She looked up and laughed at him. "Very definitely not, my lord," she said. "I should also be able to see the mistakes I am making."
She really was quite pretty when she laughed, Fairfax thought. And her laughter held genuine amusement. It was not the artificial tinkle that so many ladies affected. The flush on her cheeks was becoming too. She was looking down at her work again.
"Will you drive with me in the park later?" he asked. "I have been reminded since my arrival that it is obligatory to do so at least once a week when one is in town."
She looked up at him again with wide, startled eyes. "I am honored, my lord," she said, "but I am afraid I cannot. I already have an engagement."
WithFaford, no doubt, Fairfax thought. Was he going to have a rival for her affections? He was going to have to make up his mind fairly soon, orFafordwas going to be offering for her. And she would doubtless accept. Miss Matthews was not a young woman. She was not likely to turn down an eligible suitor.
"Ah, of course," he said. "I might have known I would be too late.Perhaps some other time."
"I would like that," she said.
The conversation in the room soon became general. Honor was seated beside Prudence Crawley and had been whispering excitedly with her for several minutes. She clapped her hands, looking around the room with flushed and animated face.
"Listen, everyone," she said. "I am going to have a picnic next week and everyone is to come.Prue'sgreat-aunt lives in Richmond next to the River Thames. It will be the perfect site, andPruesays her great-aunt will be delighted to let us use the grounds. How does Tuesday next sound?"
There was a buzz of enthusiasm from Honor's three admirers. Prudence cast her mother a guilty look. Honor avoided her mother's eyes, though Lady Jamieson was smiling indulgently and nodding her head.
"My lord?"Honor asked, turning the full force of her charm on the viscount.
He kept his face grave though he was laughing inside. This was the picnic she had mentioned on the spur of the moment the evening before. All for his benefit, he guessed. Perhaps it was conceited of him to think so, but really the little chit was most transparent in her designs. She was taken with him. Well, a picnic might be the ideal setting for that kiss he planned to steal sometime within the next couple of months.
"It would be my pleasure, Miss Jamieson," he said.
"Mr.Sedgeworth?" she asked.
He bowed and accepted.
"And Max and Peter andAmbiewill come, of course," Honor said carelessly, her eye passing over her trio of admirers. "Jane will make all the food arrangements with Cook, will you not, Jane? I have no head for such matters. And you are so good at organizing."
"Whom else are you going to invite?" Prudence asked. "You must be sure to have equal numbers, Honor."
