keeping them in the dark over what had occurred in the garden last night.
The orchid was removed and the tightness in Dorothea’s chest eased. If only it were as easy to remove the memory of the time she spent in Lord Rosen’s company.
Dorothea took a fortifying sip of her now lukewarm chocolate and reached for another bouquet. Soon the remainder of the flowers and cards were sorted through. Vases were fetched and, with Dorothea’s permission, Lady Meredith instructed which bouquets were to be placed in which rooms.
Dorothea requested that the primroses from Major Roddington be placed in her bedchamber. She saved Sir Perry’s latest poem also, intending to enclose it along with the next letter she sent her sister Emma. She suspected the younger girl would find it similarly absurd and amusing.
“That felt a bit like Christmas morning, did it not?” Lady Meredith asked after the table had been cleared of all the foliage. “So many delightful surprises.”
“It was fun,” Dorothea agreed, though her heart harbored a beat of disappointment. There had been nothing from Lord Atwood.
“I received three invitations requesting my company on a carriage ride this afternoon, but I would like to go on the picnic with Major Roddington,” Dorothea said. “May I, Lord Dardington?”
Once again, the marquess slowly lowered the newspaper he was holding. “I am not acquainted with a Major Roddington.”
“I met him last night at the ball,” Dorothea replied hastily. “He was most charming.”
“Humph.” The paper rattled as it was snapped back into place, once more concealing Lord Dardington’s features.
“The weather seems ideal for an outing in the park,” Lady Meredith said. “I believe it would be a splendid day for Dorothea to have her picnic with the major.”
Lord Dardington dropped his paper onto the table and glared at his wife. “We know nothing about him. Who is he? Who are his people? How did he even get an invitation to the ball if we are not acquainted with him?”
Dorothea shook her head and shrugged helplessly. “Lord Atwood introduced us, therefore I assume they are friends. As for the rest, I don’t really know.”
The marquess gestured toward both women with a wave of his hand. “Honestly! You cannot possibly expect me to give you permission to drive out with this man when you know so little about him.”
Lady Meredith pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. “That is the point of the outing, Trevor, to give Dorothea and the major an opportunity to become better acquainted.”
“They can do that in our drawing room,” the marquess grumbled. “Surrounded by a proper group of chaperones and other callers.”
Lady Meredith muttered something under her breath. Dorothea’s stomach dipped with disappointment. It would have been lovely to get away from the house for part of the afternoon. Plus the outing would provide the perfect distraction from her brooding over Lord Atwood.
“A picnic in a public park in the middle of the afternoon is a perfectly respectable outing and a very reasonable request.” Lady Meredith eyed her husband shrewdly. “And as I recall, just last night you promised me that you would strive to be fair and reasonable regarding Dorothea’s gentlemen callers.”
A muscle clenched in Lord Dardington’s jaw. He lifted his coffee cup, took a long sip, then replaced the delicate china cup back in the saucer. Lady Meredith smiled at him serenely.
“If she goes with him, she will need a far more substantial chaperone than her maid,” the marquess finally said.
Dorothea’s stomach tumbled again. Oh, dear. Was the marquess going to assign himself to the task of chaperoning her? If that were the case, she might as well stay home.
“I will gladly undertake that duty and our daughters will accompany me,” Lady Meredith answered. “You know how much they enjoy going on picnics.”
“You and the girls?” Lord Dardington drummed his fingers on the table. “How will you all fit in his carriage?”
Dorothea was thinking the exact same thing. Though she appreciated Lady Meredith’s efforts to assist her, this was not the result she had hoped to achieve. Major Roddington had struck her as an even-tempered, pleasant man, but she worried at his reaction when he discovered their picnic would now include four additional people. Three of them little girls.
“I would never dream of being so rude as to foist myself and our daughters upon the poor man.” Lady Meredith cleared her throat. “Dorothea will ride out with the major when he comes to call. The girls and I will either follow behind them or perhaps arrive beforehand at the park at an agreed-upon location.
“Riding in our own carriage is a necessity, since the girls will insist upon bringing along their favorite books and dolls and Cook will no doubt pack a lunch with all their favorite foods in quantities far more appropriate to feeding Wellington’s army than three youngsters.”
It was a reasonable compromise. One that Lord Dardington should not find objectionable, but Dorothea knew that he might. She held her breath tensely as she awaited his answer.
“You may send word to Roddington that you would be delighted to accept his invitation,” Lord Dardington finally said. “Though be certain to include the new details required for you to participate in the outing. I vow, only a man with honorable intentions would agree to have Lady Meredith and my darling daughters so near.”
Dorothea felt the smile well up from her heart. “Thank you, my lord. If you will excuse me, I shall write to him immediately.”
“Don’t forget about the other gentlemen,” Lady Meredith chided gently.
Other gentlemen? Dorothea stared blankly at Lady Meredith.
“Major Roddington was not the only man who sent you flowers and invitations,” Lady Meredith added.
Of course. Dorothea blushed. Her head was truly fuzzy this morning. A combination of a late night and…well, it didn’t bear too close thinking as to what else had her rattled.
“You are right, Lady Meredith. This will be the perfect time to also compose notes of acknowledgment and thanks to the others who were so kind to me.”
With a final smile, Dorothea quit the room. The remainder of the morning passed swiftly, and at the appointed hour Major Roddington promptly presented himself. He smiled with genuine warmth when she greeted him, and she noted with a sense of satisfaction how his eyes lit up with appreciation as he took in her fashionable ensemble.
“You look lovely, Miss Ellingham.”
“Thank you.”
Dorothea lowered her chin and smiled, glad that she had taken the extra time to make a special effort with her appearance. The deep blue shade of her muslin gown set off the blue in her eyes, and the matching hat she wore looked best with a section of her blond curls trailing down to her shoulders.
The major held his own against Lord Dardington as the marquess quizzed him sharply about the planned outing. After what seemed like an eternity to Dorothea, they were finally able to escape from the house. Her eyes lightened with interest when she caught sight of the handsome phaeton waiting at the curb.
“No need to look so impressed, Miss Ellingham,” the major said with a grin. “The carriage is on loan.”
“You must be a very good friend if you were allowed to borrow such prime equipment,” Dorothea replied, knowing such a fine rig and impressive cattle could not be rented from a stable.
“Though I have not known him long, the Marquess of Atwood has proven to be an amiable and generous man.”
Dorothea’s foot stumbled as she lifted it onto the carriage step and she nearly lost her balance. Had she heard correctly? Had he really said the Marquess of Atwood?
“My, yes, Lord Atwood is generous,” she said, her face warming with embarrassment. Good heavens, who would have ever thought the marquess and the major would be such close friends. It was surprising, for they seemed very different in personality and circumstance.
As usual, the London streets were crowded and the carriage horses, though well trained, were eager to run. It was necessary for the major to keep his concentration on the spirited horses, but Dorothea did not mind the lack of conversation. She spent the time enjoying the view and the fresh air and admiring his skill as he tightly held the reins and expertly negotiated them through the streets.
Within the hour they safely arrived at Banberry Park, a charming enclave on the outskirts of Town. There were
