Hattie laughed, the sound of her merriment as sparkling as cool water on this muggy day.
More idle conversation and laughter ended with Guy and Hattie lying on the blanket, watching the clouds shift from one form to another as they moved slowly overhead. Guy reached out to lace fingers with her, palms nestled together. Hattie pointed at a swan-cloud sailing across the blue sky. Guy found a terrier like the one his Aunt Sylvia used to own. Warmth, peace, and pure happiness flowed through him like the sweet nectar of wine except a thousand times better.
“Everyone should enjoy a day like this at least once in their lives,” Hattie said.
“At least once a day in my opinion,” Guy suggested.
“Poor Miss Pruett, I hope she enjoyed at least a little happiness with her beau before he abandoned her.”
“The landlord attempted to hold me accountable for James’s debt simply because I asked about him.” Guy recalled the fellow’s anger. “I paid the poor man, for why should he have to suffer loss of income?”
“If James remains in London, he is staying away from Miss Pruett.” Hattie sighed. “It seems impossible to stop this steam engine of a marriage bearing down on her. I cannot think of any way to help her escape a union with Lord Bellamy.”
Guy rolled to his side to look at her. “Lord Alfred Bellamy?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“Not well, but I know of him. He is not a good man. There are rumors about certain proclivities. He is said to be abusive to females.” He could not tell a lady the specifics about very young prostitutes left with bruises or even broken bones according to the whispers. “Also, he owes money all over town. His estate has been ruined due to his gambling. I’m surprised Miss Pruett’s father hasn’t heard of Bellamy’s financial woes, which are fairly well known. The other is a darker and better kept secret.”
Hattie bolted upright. “From what little I know of Mr. Pruett, he is a businessman who prizes money above all else. I’m certain he is interested in elevating his family by allying himself with a duke, but not a destitute one. He might not be aware of the gossip.”
“More than gossip. I’m sure of it.” Guy sat too. “The Pruetts would gain no advantage and tie their fortune to a fellow who will drain them—unless they are willing to cut off their daughter along with him.”
“I must let Mrs. Pruett know right away, before an engagement is made official and becomes harder to break.” Hattie rose and shook out her bedraggled skirt.
Guy felt the lovely, leisurely afternoon slipping away and tried to stop it. “It is Sunday? Wouldn’t tomorrow be soon enough?”
“After what you have told me, especially the part about Bellamy abusing women, I must do everything in my power to protect Miss Pruett from an awful fate.” She packed the remains of their picnic in the hamper and shooed him off the blanket so she could fold it.
Guy strapped the hamper on his bicycle, then held Hattie’s cycle steady as she got on it. He made sure she had her balance before letting go. Drearily disappointed, he pedaled slowly behind her until they reached the parked truck.
On the drive back to London, Hattie plied him with more questions about Lord Bellamy and Guy answered as best he could. At length, she said, “I’m sorry to have cut our day short. I would be happy to accompany you on another ride some time if you’d like.”
“I would like. Also, I have tickets for The Girls of Gottenberg at the Gaiety for next weekend. I hear the show is quite charming. Might I take you?”
“I should love to attend the theater, but I fear being seen with you. Perhaps a more private venue might be better.”
Guy pictured a very private venue, the pair of them waltzing in his drawing room to phonograph music and canoodling on the sofa. “I will take you anyplace you’d like to go.”
At the shop, he unloaded Hattie’s cycle – despite her repeated protest that she couldn’t accept such an extravagant gift – and rolled it down the alley to the side door. Inside, he kissed her, savoring her lips and the shape of her hips beneath his hands before reluctantly pulling away.
“Goodbye, Hattie. I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
“Goodbye… Guy.” It was the first time she’d said his name and the sound of it was as precious as if she had praised him. “Thank you for the wonderful day.”
He left with a spring in his step and singing softly “You look sweet, upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.”
Chapter Twelve
After changing from her muddy clothing, Hattie sent a carefully-worded letter to Mrs. Pruett couched in terms that should not arouse suspicion if anyone else read it.
That item you requested has arrived. Might I bring it to you today as I believe your need is rather urgent? Tomorrow might be too late.
She sent the cryptic missive by messenger, paying the lad extra for a Sunday delivery. Then she nervously awaited a reply. She risked much by becoming so deeply involved in the Pruetts’ affair. Her concern for Jennifer’s future would appear to cross the line to inappropriate.
While she awaited a reply, she scrubbed at the mud stains on her skirt and thought about the wonderful day spent with Guy. Riding the bicycle, she’d felt like a caged bird set free, powerful and joyous. The hike through the wilderness, sharing the misery of mud
