“In other words, the conversation was a failure,” Nicholas said.
Kevin watched how the fire created orange ghost flames in the wine in his glass. “She would not listen to reason.”
His cousins remained silent for a stretch. He knew what that meant. They didn’t approve. Now he would have to listen to them explain how and why they didn’t approve, like two fussy aunts.
“I in no way insulted her,” he felt some obligation to say, because Chase might report to Minerva the substance of the meeting. He didn’t really think Minerva would make his life miserable, but if she truly put her mind to it, he suspected the potential was there.
“You also in no way flattered her,” Chase said.
“Not true.” He had called her beautiful, hadn’t he? Not that he would tell these two that. It had slipped out, surprising them both, the result of how very aware he was of her beauty even while he negotiated with her. That had put him at an unfair disadvantage. He would have come away with that document signed if not for the way her appearance and presence interfered with his clear thinking.
“In fact, I implied she was a very levelheaded, smart woman.” He was stretching with that, but since he had not said that she was half-witted, ruled by emotions, or stupid, he had in fact implied the opposite.
“That is good to know,” Chase said with some relief.
Hell, Chase had been charged by Minerva with finding out what had transpired.
Nicholas stretched out his legs. “‘Implied’ may not have been enough. It doesn’t sound as if it ended well, and she apparently left abruptly, much irritated. You should make amends. Stop scowling at the idea. You are attached at the hip to this woman unless you can buy out her share, which you cannot afford to do. You need to find a road forward. A friendship will smooth the path, while mutual vexation will make it very rocky and perhaps impassable.”
“He is right,” Chase said. “If it were anyone but yourself, and if it did not involve that enterprise and your bitterness over Uncle’s bequest to this woman, you would see the truth of it at once.”
Kevin grudgingly acknowledged that Nicholas made some sense. “I suppose I can call on her in Richmond and suggest we try to accommodate each other’s interests.”
“No need to journey there,” Chase said. “She is remaining as our guest for a spell and will be looking for a home in London.”
That was not welcome news. He had assumed she would at least be out of the way. “Then I will call on her at your house.”
Nicholas turned to Chase. “What is he facing? What do you think of her?”
“I think she is no one’s fool. Also, it bears mentioning that she is attractive. Wouldn’t you agree, Kevin?”
Kevin nodded indifferently, like a man who had not really noticed but now, upon it being mentioned, had to agree.
“Is she now,” Nicholas said with interest. “How attractive? Middling attractive or very attractive?”
“As a married man I should not notice . . .” Chase said. “However, the word that entered my mind on first seeing her, was . . . luscious.”
Kevin kept his expression impassive.
Nicholas grinned. “Well, that should make being friendly all the easier, Cousin.”
“Enough about me,” Kevin said, eager to change the subject now. “I’ve been wondering something, Nicholas. As an unmarried duke not anywhere near your dotage, you should be a much-pursued fox among the husband hunters this Season. Being in mourning spared you the worst of it last year, but this is a new day. How do you plan to get through the next few months without some girl’s mama nailing your tail to her wall?”
* * *
Rosamund checked the long list of errands she had made for herself. She had chosen the most pressing for today’s outing. She needed to find her own place to live and had a meeting with a man in the afternoon for that purpose. She could not impose indefinitely on her hosts’ generosity.
First, however, she would browse the best shopping streets. She checked her bonnet in the looking glass, smoothed the bodice of her crimson pelisse, and picked up her gloves and reticule. Accepting that her appearance was the best she could muster, she descended to the reception hall.
The servant on duty bowed. “Would you like me to call for a carriage? I was instructed to have a groom drive you in the cabriolet if you should desire to go out.”
“I think I will walk, thank you.”
“But I was instructed . . .”
The poor young man worried about disobeying a command, one that she had not requested be given. She did not want a groom beside her in a cabriolet, waiting impatiently when she left the carriage to do what she needed to do. Her errand was better accomplished on foot anyway.
“If you have the cabriolet brought around, I will drive the lady.”
She turned toward the voice. “Oh. It is you.”
Kevin Radnor made a faint bow.
“What are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you to come down.”
“I be thinking we have spent enough time in each other’s company this week, do you not agree?”
“I agree that I was not gracious or friendly, if that is what you mean.”
His admission made her pause. Men usually did not admit to being wrong. That he did so disarmed her.
“You will not find me errands of any interest to you. Most will be better done on foot.”
“Then I will drive you to where you must walk.”
The butler had already sent for the carriage. She could think of no way to get rid of Mr. Radnor without being ungracious and unfriendly herself. She did not object when he accompanied her outside.
“That is a very attractive bonnet,” he said.
He was only flattering her, but she touched its brim and could not stop a small smile.
“Is it one of yours?”
“I always wear me own creations.”
“The colors suit your ensemble, and you. Do you design like that with your patrons as well?”
“I do.” She launched into an explanation of how different faces required different shaped brims, and some women looked lovely with thin ties under the chin while others were flattered by broad ones. He seemed to be paying attention, but as the carriage pulled up in front of them she wondered if he was truly listening.
“I have it in me mind to go to Oxford Street,” she said. “To see if there be shops to let.”
He got the horse moving. “You intend to open a shop in London?”
“Possibly.”
“What about your shop in Richmond?”
“I may keep that one too. It all depends on what I learn in the next few days.”
“Chase said you think to live here in Town.”
“That also depends on what I learn.” She would have to remember that those two were cousins, and Chase would probably tell Kevin most anything he wanted to know.
“Shouldn’t you be looking at homes to let instead of shops?”
She wondered if he was going to offer unwelcome advice all day. “First I am going to look at some shops, if that be acceptable to you.”
He turned onto Oxford Street and stopped the carriage. He tied up the reins, passed a boy a coin to watch the conveyance, then helped her down.
“Thank you, I can manage now,” she said hopefully. “I will hire a hackney to get meself back.”