Free Edith Layton by To Tempt a Bride Page B

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Chapter 6
    B elle found Camille in her room two mornings later, sitting in the window seat with a book in her lap but obviously not paying attention to it. She was gazing out the window into the distance, looking forlorn.
    Belle grimaced. “It is not the end of the world,” she told Camille. “It is, in fact, a lovely morning.”
    Camille nodded.
    Belle sighed. “I had to refuse Eric’s offer of a carriage ride, Cammie. It was kindly intentioned, but it just wouldn’t do. Nell’s a guest but not ready to be introduced to Society—if indeed she ever will be. It’s one thing to include the girl in our daily walks,” she added in exasperation, “quite another to have her carried about in a gentleman’s carriageas an equal. We aren’t sure of what she is. But we nonetheless are being both civil and kind. The chit’s being fed and housed, not beaten or starved. In fact, she’s being fitted into one of my gowns at this very minute. That’s going beyond charity. And you know how I feel about my gowns.”
    “Yes,” Camille said, looking up, her expression brightening. “I suppose you’re right.” She frowned again. The thought of an insult to Nell had been lifted from her conscience, but she remembered the reason for her sorrow. She had so wanted to see Eric again.
    “Come,” Belle said suddenly. “Get up. We may not go riding with Eric, but the park is still there and it’s a glorious day. We’ll walk. My maid is almost done pinning Nell’s gown, so we can include her if you like. Well, are you coming? You’re the one who said there’s nothing like exercise to get a mare in shape for foaling.”
    Camille laughed out loud. “You’d slay me for saying that to you.”
    “So I would,” Belle agreed calmly. “Now, get your bonnet. The new one.”
     
    Camille breathed deep. London usually smelled of smoke, coal, and horses. But the air in the park was fresh, crisp and cold as a winter apple. Though the sun was bright, it had no heat, so they walked quickly: Camille, with her arm in Belle’s, Nell and a maid behind them. It was too cold for much conversation, but Camille’s eyes sparkled. There wasso much to see. The park was alive with strollers, horsemen, and carriages. It might be frigid, but it was clear, and that was a rarity at this sullen time of year.
    “Ho! I spy treachery,” a deep voice called.
    They stopped and turned around in time to see Eric pull his high-perch phaeton to a halt at their side. “You couldn’t come riding in a nice warm coach with me,” he said, “but here you are braving the elements on foot. Do I never speak to you again or merely go home and weep? Or,” he asked in mock shock, “do I go look for a new mouthwash?”
    “You know very well why we couldn’t come with you,” Belle said. “As I said in my note to you, Miss Baynes only finished with her dress fitting a half-hour ago. In fact, we came out late and are returning early. But I see you’re hardly languishing. Nice equipage,” she added, eyeing his phaeton. “I wish I could try it. Miles would murder me, or you, if I dared, of course. Nor would I be so foolhardy. Such dashing vehicles are not for me these days.”
    Eric’s high-perch phaeton was the last word in style, Camille thought, looking at it with awed admiration. Gold with yellow trim, its wheels were huge and skeletal, so thin as to look fragile. The driver’s seat was so far from the ground that it seemed precariously perched above the body of the coach. In fact, the whole equipage looked as delicate as some fantastic mechanical daddy long-legs. But Camille knew it was as well balanced as a fine watch and equally well sprung. It was built forcomfort and speed and would be safe enough in a good driver’s hands. She could guess that Eric was that.
    His highly bred white horse snorted and pawed the ground in his eagerness to be off again.
    “Cammie looks as though she’d venture a whirl round the park in it, though,” Eric said.