Page 45 of Just a Little Daring

14th April 1841, The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton.

Vivien’s maid looked at her rather suspiciously when she rose far earlier than expected but, other than that, it was easy enough to be ready to go walking when Evie called for her at the appointed hour. After reassuring her parents that Evie’s maid was going too and they were only strolling in the Pleasure Gardens as the morning was so lovely, she was free.

“Do they not approve of Mr Lane-Fox?” Evie asked her as they walked back through the hotel.

“I think they approve,” Vivien admitted. “But that doesn’t mean they don’t worry, and with everything so up in the air I want to wait until I’m certain he means to court me. If they knew, they would have made Ash come, or Mama would have come, and it would have been far too awkward. I just want him to myself for a bit before things become official.”

“To make certain he won’t cry off again?” Evie said, with rather too much blunt honesty, though Viv could hardly deny it.

“Yes, I suppose so. It would be completely mortifying, and I don’t think my heart can stand another disappointment. I am a little afraid to get my hopes up in case he’s changed his mind again. Seeing me with Blackstone obviously shook him, but….” Vivien shrugged. “Ah, well, we’ll see.”

Evie took her arm. “I like him. He seems a good man. I’m sure he would not encourage you to hope if he wasn’t certain.”

Vivien nodded. She believed that too, but still, her nerves were all a jangle.

“Oh, look, there’s Louis,” Evie said brightly, as an elegant figure appeared at the top of the stairs. “He’s such a dear man to help us. He loathes getting up early, you know.”

Vivien studied Evie, curious to understand what was between her and the comte. She knew Evie considered the man as much a friend as she did Vivien or Aisling, perhaps more so, and yet.… What did the comte feel about this? It was certainly an unusual situation, not to mention scandalous if anyone outside of her friends discovered it.

“Good morning, ladies. I take it all is well?” the comte said, smiling warmly at Evie, who agreed that it was. “I shall perform my duty as commanded, then. If you will excuse me, we shall meet you in the park in, say, twenty minutes?”

“Oh, are you coming too?” Evie asked, brightening.

The comte returned a narrow-eyed gaze. “You do not seriously mean to say you made me awaken at this unholy hour without thinking of offering me the salve of accompanying you on your walk?”

Evie laughed, shaking her head. “It never occurred to me you would wish to, but I shall be pleased for your company, as I always am.”

“Hmmm,” the comte replied darkly, and went away to retrieve August.

“I think you hurt his feelings,” Vivien said, though Evie frowned at her words.

“Don’t be silly. He was only teasing. It’s just his way.”

Vivien shrugged and let it go, but was not entirely convinced Evie had that right.

The morning was beautiful, warm and blessed with a vivid blue sky, and Mr Ireland’s Pleasure Garden was splendid in all its spring glory. Spread over ten acres of land, the area comprised a spacious lawn for cricket, and dedicated spaces for other manly exercises, which were separated from the gardens.

The gardens themselves included shrubberies, meandering walks, a bowling green and promenades adorned with tea-boxes. Opposite was a canal with a bridge, which led to a Gothic castle with a battery mounted with six cannons. Beyond this stood a maze.

By the time the two men had reached the park, Vivien was in a dither of anticipation. August’s expression was enough to banish any lingering butterflies and chase away her doubts. He smiled at her, his eyes warm and full of certainty, and Vivien knew he would not change his mind again.

“Miss Anson,” he said, sounding as though he felt a little breathless, too. He bowed politely to her. “How fortuitous to meet you on this glorious morning. The comte and I were just taking a little stroll to clear our heads after last night’s entertainments.”

“A coincidence indeed,” Vivien agreed for the benefit of Evie’s maid, who was lingering at a discreet distance but was still within earshot.

“Oh, Vivien, shall we try the maze?” Evie asked, gesturing towards the dark square of high hedges. “It’s usually dreadfully busy, but there’s no one about at this hour.”

“Oh, but Miss Knight,” Evie’s maid protested. “It’s not really proper, what with two fine gentlemen beside you and no chaperone.”

“But we have a chaperone, for you’ll be there too, Rachel,” Evie replied calmly.

The woman took a breath and shook her head, her expression regretful but determined. “No. Sorry to be difficult, miss, but I’d rather not. I got lost in one of those dratted labyrinth things when I was a girl. In there for hours, I was. I won’t do that again, if you please.”

“Oh,” Evie said, her face falling. “No, of course you must not if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“There is no one about,” the comte said, looking around them at the acres of deserted gardens. “I think perhaps it is not so dreadful a risk. If anyone comes, you may say you have only just exited, having become separated from the rest of the party,” he suggested to the maid.

Evie beamed at the comte and turned to Vivien, who nodded her agreement at once.