Page 75 of My Fair Lord

“Mr Blake, or should I say Lord Telford, what a coincidence meeting you here!”

Her eyes gleamed and Ned couldn’t help but smile in response.

“I saw you were speaking to somebody so didn’t want to intrude,” Ned explained. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“Not at all.” Florence held her hand out and he kissed it, lingering with his lips on the soft leather of her gloves only a breath longer than he should have done. If she noticed, she let it pass unremarked. He said hello to Dottie who smiled back bashfully.

“Shall we walk to the park as it’s a fine afternoon?” Florence asked. “Dottie and I went visiting this morning and it took an hour to cross town and I’ve really had enough of the streetcars.”

“I’m yours to command,” Ned said. He wondered if she would mention who she had been speaking to, but she just called for Dottie, slipped her arm through Ned’s, and led him in the direction of Central Park with Dottie following at a discreet pace behind.

The park was as busy as everywhere in the city appeared to be and Ned was glad of the opportunity to study the map of the sights. They chose a direction and walked along the pathways until they reached the lower Bethesda Terrace. Standing beside the fountain of the Angel of the Waters were a row of open carriages, waiting to take visitors on rides. They were open-topped two- or four-seaters, with the driver sitting on a raised cab at the front. As they watched, a young couple dashed up, laughing in delight. The man picked his companion up by the waist and lifted her into the carriage while she squealed. He climbed beside her and spoke to the driver who touched the horse with the tip of his whip and moved away as the couple snuggled close to each other.

“Shall we do that?” Ned asked. “Take a ride, I mean. The park is so much bigger than I expected and I don’t want to miss anything.”

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Florence said. “I have so much to tell you. We should definitely drive as far as Belvedere Castle. It looks like something my brother-in-law would live in if he kept on altering Goreswarth Chase, and I want to tell you everything I’ve learned since I met my father again.”

Ned eyed the vehicles. “It doesn’t look very private,” he said. “Are you sure you want to tell me about that there?”

“It isn’t as scandalous as I expected it to be.” Florence flashed him a grin. “In any case, the drivers are paid well not to listen to whatever goes on in the back. Or to look, for that matter. Dottie, we’re going for a drive. You’ll be fine waiting here, won’t you.”

It wasn’t really a question because Florence didn’t wait for an answer before walking towards the carriages. Ned gave Dottie ten cents and told her to buy an ice cream from the nearby stand, then followed Florence.

The carriage driver welcomed them aboard. The carriage made its way down the winding paths. The soft, leisurely clip-clopping of the horse’s hooves against the pavement provided a gentle rhythm as they made their way around the carriage drive. It was soothing and the warm sunshine was a welcome escape from the bustling city streets.

Ned leaned back against the leather seat, feeling relaxed and at peace. The sound of the horse’s breathing and the gentle creaking of the carriage added to the serene atmosphere. He took a deep breath, enjoying the moment with Florence by his side. The driver kept his head facing determinedly forward, as Florence had said he would. Presumably one who got a reputation for not being discreet wouldn’t stay in business very long. He was sorely tempted to put his arm around Florence as the young lover had done to his lady, but that was a dangerous path to let his mind stray down.

Fortunately, he was prevented from any further musing in that direction because Florence turned to him almost immediately and clutched his hands.

“Daddy is absolutely furious. He gathered us all together within an hour of arriving and told us my brother is going to marry a widow.”

“Not the adventuress from the ship?” Ned asked in astonishment. “I thought she was intent on the viscount.”

Florence laughed. “No, not Mrs Carmine, but a different one. Its amazes me how many widows there must be out there looking for new husbands.”

“Well, women tend to outlive their husbands and must find something to do with their time,” Ned said wryly. “Do you need me to intervene? If the widow is an adventuress, I’m sure she could be persuaded to give your brother up if the price is right, or I could pretend to seduce her and then he will see what sort of woman she is.”

To his astonishment, Florence shook her head vehemently.

“No, I don’t want them breaking up at all. Mrs Ashbourne is a neighbour of ours and she is a perfectly lovely woman. I’ll be proud to call her my sister. She’s probably richer than Ashley if it comes to it and she’s infinitely more sensible.”

She slumped back, shaking her head.

“Besides, even if she wasn’t, she obviously makes Ashley happy. I don’t see why he should be denied the chance of love just because of our father’s ridiculous notions. At least one of us should be able to marry for love.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Ned said gently.

“And while we’re on the subject,” Florence said, sitting forward, “you must refuse to help track down the newspaper heir and his countess if Lord Griggs asks you again. I don’t approve of their eloping, but clearly they felt they had no choice and I don’t think you should play a part in forcing them to part if they really love each other.”

“You don’t approve?” Ned asked. He’d already made up his mind not to take the commission for that very reason. Florence opposing their romance was unexpected though.

“Running away is a cowardly thing to do,” Florence said firmly. “The man clearly had responsibilities and he ran away from them. What sort of man does that?”

Ned swallowed.

“Would you do it if there was a man you loved?”

Florence looked out across the park. Ned held his breath.