Free Magical Weddings by Leigh Michaels, Aileen Harkwood, Eve Devon, Raine English, Tamara Ferguson, Lynda Haviland, Jody A. Kessler, Jane Lark, Bess McBride, L. L. Muir, Jennifer Gilby Roberts, Jan Romes, Heather Thurmeier, Elsa Winckler, Sarah Wynde Page A

way to a plain dark wrapper which, along with her black hair, made her almost disappear in the unlit corridor.
    Celia waited for as long as she dared, but Simon’s door remained firmly closed. Finally, still reeling from the shock, she tiptoed back to her room.
    So that was the real secret, was it? Simon and Lady Hester were playing at indifference in public–but in the shadows of the night, things were very different indeed.
     

Chapter 5 Sunday

     

    The site for their picnic was a small lake which lay behind Rockhill House, on the far side of the expanse of gardens–and Lady Stone made it clear, when they gathered on the terrace behind the house, that they were expected to walk there. Celia didn’t mind; the faint breeze which caressed her face and teased at the pink ribbons on her wide-brimmed hat carried the scent of heliotrope, and in the elm trees which bordered the garden, birds warbled.
    “The stroll will do you all good,” Lady Stone announced as Lord Billings helped her into the chaise directly below the terrace. “I know I would enjoy the exercise myself, if only I were able.”
    “She’s
able
to do whatever she really wants,” Dimity muttered. “And why is Lord Bilious allowed to ride with her if we cannot?”
    Celia shrugged. “I’d rather walk than have Lord Stone shoot nasty looks at me over how the chaise wheels are cutting up the lawns.”
    Dimity looked thoughtfully at the ruts, and a moment later she had crossed the terrace to lay her hand possessively on his lordship’s arm while she commiserated about his aunt’s carelessness.
    Prudence narrowed her eyes as she inspected the company. “Perhaps I’ll settle for Lord Lockwood, since Mr. Montrose and Lady Hester seem to be planning to walk together.”
    Celia whipped around to see for herself. Simon and Lady Hester stood at a corner of the terrace, looking so intent that they might as well have been alone on the moon. Simon shook his head, and a moment later, when Lord Lockwood approached the pair, Lady Hester took his arm with only a hint of hesitation, walking away from Simon without a backward glance.
    What a very strange little non-conversation that was.
    Celia didn’t realize she was staring at Simon–trying to read his expression as he watched Hester walk away–until Baron Draycott flourished a bow. “Miss Overton, if I might have the pleasure?”
    I’d rather not,
she almost said.
I need to make certain Simon is all right.
    But that would only make her seem foolish, so she smiled and laid her hand on his arm. “Of course, sir. Is your home set in such pleasant surroundings as Rockhill?” Perhaps once started on the topic, he would while away the entire walk and let her think in peace.
    “That just leaves you and me, Mr. Montrose,” Prudence murmured, casting a seemingly-bashful look up at him through her lashes.
    Celia noted the unenthusiastic way Simon bowed. “And Miss Jane, of course. Fortunately I have two arms.”
    Celia bit back a smile, and then sobered. Simon really was gifted at extracting himself from complicated situations. If only he would use that talent to rid himself of Lady Hester before scandal caught up with them!
    They walked in a neat little procession, and as they emerged from the trees and the view of the lake opened out before them, Prudence stopped so suddenly that Celia almost ran into her. “
That
is our picnic site?”
    Lord Stone sighed, but he didn’t answer.
    Celia looked past them to where still water reflected a crystal blue sky dotted with lazy clouds. A blue haze lay over the hills beyond. Near the shore, a handful of servants spread cloths across the grass. Baskets stood open; Lord Stone’s butler opened wine bottles, and two footmen placed a large upholstered chair where the occupant would have the best view of the lake.
    “What’s wrong with it?” Celia asked.
    Prudence rolled her eyes. “Of course
you
wouldn’t know how civilized people picnic. Generally there are tables and