Love Finds Lord Davingdale Read Online Free Page B

I
believe you have had enough adventure. Get yourself warm and dried.
Tomorrow though, first thing in the morning.”
    Thomas sighed. If he had known Harry would
release him from the trip, he would have stayed at Cummings Hall
for a chance to speak with Ophelia, or at least ask pertinent
questions.
    “Very well, Harry. First thing in the
morning.”

Chapter Five
     
     
    By nine o’clock the next morning, Harry sat
in the back of the coach, bundled in four carriage blankets with
ten hot bricks under his feet. Bright but cold, the day would be a
long one for Thomas. Harry would not only want to purchase his
book. No, Harry would want lunch at his club, coffee and a round of
cards at another, and then dessert at a third. He may not frequent
Society, but when he did, he enjoyed as much of it as he could.
    Pulling up in front of the bookseller, Thomas
helped his uncle from the carriage. “I have several errands to run.
I will return for you in an hour.”
    “Make it two,” Harry said. “Crowling and I
have much to discuss.”
    “Very well. Should I warn White’s you will be
dining today?”
    “Yes.” Harry jabbed at the air with his cane.
“Tell that man I want the table by the window, not the one in the
left dining room either. I cannot abide the fireplace in that room.
I want to eat near the columns, by the window. Can you remember
that?”
    “Yes, Uncle, by your leave.” Thomas would
definitely warn Jacobs, the maitre d’ hotel at the club, his surly
uncle would be dining. He was sure Jacobs would be thrilled to hear
it.
    Driving through the streets of Piccadilly,
Thomas spotted a flower shop. He stopped the team and tied them
off, went into the shop and presented his card. The clerk showed
him several bouquets, but nothing seemed quite right to Thomas.
Looking around, he spied beautiful pink flowers in the corner.
    “Those, what are those?” he asked
pointing.
    “Peonies, my lord. The symbol of happy
marriage.” The clerk hovered.
    Happy marriage. Well, a little forward
thinking on his part, but Thomas liked the flowers just the same.
“Yes, I shall take those.”
    “Excellent choice.” The clerk began pulling
the stems out of the bucket of water. “Twelve, my lord?”
    “Yes, and could you have them delivered to
St. John’s Wood? I’ll pay extra.”
    “Of course, my lord. Shall you write the
card?” He pushed a small piece of vellum and an inkpot forward.
    What to say…. I hope you are feeling
better. Have fun at your ball tonight. My carriage will arrive at
half-eight. T. Merrit
    Not the greatest poetry, but he presumed the
flowers would speak for themselves.
    “Will there be anything else, my lord?”
    “No, thank you.” Thomas smiled as he
sauntered out of the shop. He wondered what Ophelia would say about
the flowers.
    Jacobs, stoic that he was, barely batted an
eyelash when Thomas requested his uncle’s favorite table at
White’s. He looked around while he was there, but seeing none of
his acquaintance, headed for Caymore House. Perhaps William would
have an hour to waste.
    William was not at home, however, Quiggins
brought him down the hall where Lady Penelope welcomed him into the
yellow salon.
    “Davingdale, it is so nice to see you,” she
said.
    Thomas bent low over her hand. “Lady Pen,
always a pleasure.”
    “Do sit down, would you care for a cup of
tea? Quiggins was just bringing me one.”
    “That would be lovely, yes, thank you.”
Thomas should have beaten a hasty retreat, but he liked William’s
wife. When she wasn’t matchmaking, there was nothing to compare to
her sparkling wit and vivacious intellect, especially when it came
to horses. He’d never met another woman quite so enamoured of
equine pursuits.
    Penny sat and said, “Tell me about the little
mare you have found for William’s niece. You call her Lovely, do
you not?”
    Quiggins brought the tea tray, and she and
Thomas talked of the horses now inhabiting the barn at Merrit
Manor.
    “William has related