Lady Fairweather’s mouth turned down in a distinct pout. Suddenly Tobias was quite happy to avoid a promenade with the lady and her daughter. The only thing worse than an immature bride was an overbearing mother.
“I am sure we’ll see each other again soon,” Tobias said smoothly. “Perhaps the weather will improve, and we’ll be able to take a turn around the park.”
“I do long for warm days in the park,” Miss Fairweather said. “I love when the trees blossom in spring.”
“I’ll look forward to seeing you there, Miss Fairweather.” Tobias bowed again. “Lady Fairweather.”
He started walking with Miss Wingate once more, increasing their pace to leave the museum. “Are you really tired?”
She kept her gaze trained forward. “Somewhat.”
“Is there something wrong with what I said about you liking the maps? I noticed you tensed when I mentioned it to Rowntree. In fact, I noticed you were tense around him in general.”
“I think I was a trifle nervous.”
Tobias chose his words carefully, lest he increase her discomfort. “He seems interested in perhaps courting you.”
She stumbled, as if her toe caught something. Tobias reached around her with his free hand to steady her, his fingers clasping her waist.
“All right?” he asked.
“Yes, just a bump in the floor or something.”
Something being this discussion perhaps? “Is there anything you’d like to say?”
She glanced over at him, her eyes slightly narrowed. “You seem interested in Mr. Rowntree courting me. His library sounded ‘magnificent’? ‘Large’ and ‘many’ are relative terms. They are hardly ‘magnificent.’”
“I was simply making conversation.” He frowned. “Do you not like Mr. Rowntree? I thought you enjoyed dancing with him.”
“It was the least disastrous dance of the night. I would not describe that as ‘enjoying’ dancing with him.” Her brows pitched into a V. “Or with anyone,” she muttered.
“I am expecting too much of you too soon.”
“Yes,” she answered a bit testily. “Just because you have a duty to wed doesn’t mean I do too.”
Tobias clenched his jaw. He did have a duty, and his life would be easier if she was also settled. Hell, his life would be easier if she wasn’t here at all. Glancing at her profile, he felt a pang of guilt. None of this was her fault. But then, none of it was his either. It was all his father’s doing, a master of manipulation from beyond.
Still, she was a young woman in need of a husband. “Rowntree’s family is excellent, and he has five thousand a year. You will be well taken care of.”
“Have you already married me off then?” The question carried an edge of disappointment but also of irritation that made Tobias frown.
“It is my duty, as your guardian, to see you wed. I take that responsibility very seriously and will see it done.” He tempered his tone lest she think him an autocrat. She simply needed to understand the way things were.
They’d reached the coach, and he helped her inside before climbing in after her. Rather than sit beside her on the forward-facing seat, he sat on the opposite side.
“All I am asking for is a little time to acclimate myself to this life. Two months ago, I could never have foreseen any of this. My goodness, I am meeting the queen in a few days.”
Hell. Now he felt that tinge of guilt again. Exhaling, he stared out the window until they were driving along Oxford Street. When he directed his attention toward Miss Wingate, he speared her with an expectant stare. “I will allow you time to become used to this life; only remember that my father made a promise to your father. I will not force you to uphold it. If you are not ready to marry or don’t wish to, I will be happy to send you back to Bitterley. Just say the word.”
“Because there is no reason to have a Season unless I intend to wed,” she said softly, her dark eyes glittering in the filtered light of the coach.
“Correct.”
She shifted her gaze to the window and folded her hands in her lap. “Then I appreciate your kindness in allowing me to adjust. I’m sure I’ll find my way, and when I do, my…enthusiasm for marriage will rise to the surface.”
Satisfied with her response, even if it had been sprinkled with sarcasm, Tobias settled back against the squab. He needed to speak with Lady Pickering. Miss Wingate required more guidance than he’d imagined.
And in the end, perhaps he’d end up shipping her back to Bitterley.
She was not going back to Bitterley.
Neither did she wish to marry. At least not yet.
Fiona had thought of little beyond those things since her frustrating visit to the museum the day before with her guardian. Not all of it had been awful. The hours in the map room had been absolutely sublime. That part truly had been her favorite day ever.
Until Overton had ruined it by being a dictatorial wretch.
Perhaps he hadn’t been that bad, but he didn’t understand her desire to simply enjoy her newfound freedom. It was as if she were a butterfly finally free of her chrysalis, and he meant to clip her wings.
Fiona frowned at his back as they walked into Lord and Lady Billingsworth’s house on Park Street for tonight’s musicale. Prudence gently touched her arm, and Fiona brought her features into a more serene expression. Or at least one that didn’t demonstrate her displeasure with her guardian.
Poor Prudence had listened to her lament. She understood Fiona’s need to find her place before she committed to marriage, even while she explained Fiona’s duty to wed.
Once they were inside and had given over their outerwear, they were guided up the stairs to the drawing room. At the top of the stairs was a long gallery filled with people. Fiona immediately picked out Cassandra.
“My lord, if you don’t mind, I’m going to speak with Lady Cassandra,” she said, provoking Overton to turn.
His gaze surveyed the gallery until he found Cassandra. “I’ll accompany you as I’ve a
