Page 40 of A Bachelor’s Lessons in Love

“Trust,” he murmured to himself. The word hung heavily in the air. It had been neither a challenge nor a plea when the word had fallen from her lips. No. Felicity’s request was simple.

He stood, pacing to the window, where the view of his gardens brought little comfort. Even though the roses had put out new growth, they remained without blooms. Roses made one exercise a great deal of patience, a thing he had thought he possessed in abundance before Felicity and Daphne entered his life.

How was he to reconcile what Felicity asked for and still keep Daphne safe?

His thoughts wandered back to Pamela. How different things might have been if there was better oversight; had his parents cared what he did, had they kept watch over him. And here was Felicity, sharing the pains of past regrets with him yet still standing resiliently, still willing to support her niece with all she had.

Resting his forehead against the cool pane of glass, Edward closed his eyes and wondered once again why Anthony had chosen him as guardian to his child…and why he could not seem to dismiss thoughts of Felicity Price’s soft smile, even in the midst of one of their disagreements.

Chapter Thirteen

HYDE PARK, APRIL 8, 1817

With the observation of Easter the Sunday previous, London came alive at last as spring reached her pinnacle. Nowhere was this more evident than in Hyde Park, where Felicity took in everything around her with quiet appreciation. The grasses were as green as ever, the trees had new growth in vibrant hues, and flowers peeked out of carefully manicured garden beds.

Felicity, along with the Colonel and Daphne, were attending part in a picnic arranged by the Normans. Mr. Norman seemed disposed to like Edward—Felicity had tried but failed to think of him as Halstead since their conversation in his study. Miss Norman had befriended Daphne. The outing suited everyone involved, including Mr. and Miss Montague, who were once again chatting amiably with Daphne.

“I have always liked the park away from Rotten Row,” Mrs. Norman said, sipping delicately at her tea. Felicity sat on one side of the lady, Mr. Norman on the other, and Edward beside that gentleman. “There is so much more to this place than the crowds all vying to be seen in their slow promenade.”

“Such as the ducks,” Edward said, gesturing to the water glimmering before them.

The group looked over. The Serpentine boasted its usual swans, geese, and ducks, but if one knew where to look they would find nesting spots tucked here and there in the park.

Felicity shaded her eyes to better look across the pond where a few couples rowed about in small boats, rented out on fine days, her eyes seeing more than was before her. “My father brought me here years ago, to hunt for nests. We never disturbed them, of course, but it was always great fun to poke about in the weeds to find them.”

Mr. Norman chuckled before making his own observation. “In a few more weeks, the water will be full of goslings, signets, and ducklings. All of them driving their parents to distraction.” He nudged Edward with his elbow. “You are getting a fine taste of that yourself, Halstead. Guardianship of a young lady is no small thing.”

Felicity adjusted the corner of the blanket nearest her, somehow resisting the desire to watch Edward respond to that particular comment. Instead she glanced toward the other picnic blanket, a few yards away, where the younger people were enjoying their tea and sandwiches. Daphne’s laughter sounded sweetly from where she sat between Miss Norman and Miss Montague, prompting a smile from her aunt.

“I am fortunate that I am not alone in the work of caring for a young lady,” Edward said, tempting Felicity to turn her attention back to their conversation. “Lord Blackstone advised me to think of ladies as I would think of geese.”

“Oh, that man.” Mrs. Norman sounded more amused than annoyed. “Every time my husband comes home from the club, it seems he has another wild tale to tell. What do you think of Lord Blackstone, Miss Price?”

Felicity looked up, meeting the woman’s curious gaze with raised eyebrows. As she was more chaperone than guest, she had not expected to be brought into the conversation properly. She had whiled away the first quarter hour of the picnic reading a book which now lay open beside her on the blanket—yet Mrs. Norman had invited her to contribute several times already. The other woman was closer to forty than Felicity was, with just the barest of lines showing around her eyes and a cheery disposition that made her think the woman a pleasant person.

“I am afraid I have not heard much about him,” Felicity admitted. “I know only that he founded and patronizes the club where Colonel Halstead is a member.” She glanced at Edward to find him watching her, his eyes bright with amusement.

He inclined his head. “I suppose I have not spoken of him often—he is a rather peculiar man, to say the least.”

Mr. Norman leaned back on his hands, an easy smile on his face. “Peculiar is a mild word for it. Have you made peace with his eccentricities yet, Colonel, or has Lord Blackstone’s fondness for taxidermy made you regret joining our unusual club?”

Edward’s low chuckle made something inside Felicity squirm, though certainly not unpleasantly. She tried to direct her attention away again, to the more youthful members of the party, when he spoke.

“The giraffe in the billiard room was quite a surprise.”

A laugh escaped her as she turned toward him. “A giraffe? Colonel, that cannot be true.” She looked at Mr. Norman, expecting him to deny such a thing. She had seen a live giraffe once, at the Tower Menagerie. The creature had stood marvelously high, the entire of one being found in a billiard room⁠—

“Well. Not an entire giraffe,” Mr. Norman said with a broad grin. “Just the neck up.”

Felicity started to shake her head, unable to help looking at Edward with wide eyes. “I should very much like to know why a man would look at a giraffe and decide its final resting place ought to be inside a gentleman’s club, billiard room or otherwise.”

The corners of Edward’s mouth twitched upward. “Perhaps I will have the pleasure of introducing you to Lord Blackstone soon. I have heard rumor of his hosting a gathering at his home for club members and their families.” He sat up, leaning slightly in her direction as though to impart a secret. “You ought to know, Miss Price, that Lord Blackstone claims all his specimens died of natural causes.”

Mr. Norman chuckled. “A most convenient truth, if I have ever heard one.”

Edward laughed again. “Who do you think provides him with all these creatures, offering such reassurances to him?” He shook his head. “I cannot fault him for wishing to believe such things. He seems a good man in every respect.”

“Indeed.” Mr. Norman moved closer to his wife, stealing a biscuit from her plate while she playfully swatted at his hand. “He is a good sort, from all I know of him—and particular about the men who join his club.”