Page 97 of How to Wed a Courtesan

‘Forgive me, my lord.’ Edmonds appeared between them with a missive on a salver. ‘There is a message for you.’

Evander took it and thanked him. He scanned the missive and scoffed.

‘What is it?’ Lottie asked.

‘It would appear Lord Huffsby would like to offer me a place in the mining investment once more, claiming it will be just as lucrative once it’s been cleared out.’ Evander refolded the note and tossed it carelessly onto the table. ‘It appears my “considerable business acumen” would be of great value to their operation.’

It was not the last letter to come. On and on they arrived, from various lords and ladies who had slid snide glances in Lottie’s direction or never bothered to speak with her, now offering invitations to soirees and balls. Lady Stetton even came by to see the Dowager Countess of Westix, who claimed she was otherwise engaged and would not be available for tea.

The fashionable hour came upon them quickly, and both Lottie and Evander dressed in their finest—Lottie in a stunning blue silk dress trimmed with delicate white lace and a bonnet with several ribbon forget-me-nots adorning the band of blue running along its sides. This time they did not take the carriage. Instead, Lottie took Evander’s arm and they ambled along the slow path lining the Serpentine.

‘Lady Westix,’ called a cheerful, familiar voice from Lottie’s side.

She turned to find Alice, with a tall, handsome blond-haired gentleman at her side. One sleeve of his fine jacket hung empty and pinned to his shoulder.

George.

‘Forgive me for having not welcomed you back to London,’ Alice said with a wide smile. ‘George and I...’ She looked at him and bit her lower lip excitedly. ‘We’ve married.’

‘That’s such wonderful news,’ Lottie exclaimed.

An ecstatic Alice made the proper introductions to George.

‘I’ve heard very agreeable things about you,’ Lottie said to Alice’s new husband—a very handsome young man who couldn’t keep his gaze from wandering towards his new wife.

He flushed. ‘As I have about you, Lady Westix.’

‘Felicitations on your union,’ Evander said. ‘I must say, love reclaimed is even more blissful the second time around.’ His hand gently squeezed Lottie with affection.

‘On that we can agree,’ George replied. ‘Especially when the one you love is so persistent in ensuring you know they care for you and how much they value you.’

‘It takes a special person to be so determined,’ Lottie said.

‘And a considerable amount of love,’ Alice finished.

‘We truly are so happy for you,’ Lottie said.

‘As I am for you.’ Alice edged slightly closer to Lottie. ‘When I read the article this morning, I planned to come to Hyde Park with the hope of seeing you. I thought you might be persuaded to do it.’ Her gaze slid to Evander.

He held up his hands in surrender. ‘I couldn’t help myself.’

After a fond farewell, Alice and her new, happy husband departed, still smiling at one another.

‘Did I mention we received an invitation just before we left this afternoon?’ Evander asked.

Lottie cast him a wary look. ‘Which one?’

There had been, oh, so very many. Especially in comparison to the few they received upon their union.

‘From the Dowager Countess of Dalton,’ he replied nonchalantly. ‘For Rawley and Caroline’s wedding.’

Lottie gasped and looked up at him. ‘You are cruel to have kept that from me.’

‘I feared if I told you before we left you’d insist on going to Dalton Place at that very moment to speak with Lady Caroline.’ He gave her a knowing look.

Lottie chortled at that. ‘You know me far too well.’

‘Which is why I love you so dearly.’