“I suppose it is going to fall to me to present you two at court this Season. I’ve already sent my letter in for Miss Paynter.”
“Really, there is no need to do that,” Miss Barton said. “My mother was presented at court, and she can do it. We just haven’t felt the need as of yet.”
“Well, once you feel the need, it may be too late in the Season. It is best just to get it done if you ask me.”
“Truthfully,” Miss Barton said, “I am much too busy to worry about being presented at court.”
What would cause this young woman to be so busy she wanted to put off meeting the Queen?
“Do you mean that railroad stuff and nonsense?” Mrs. Cuthbert said. “Leave it to your brother.”
“I wouldn’t call it stuff and nonsense,” Miss Barton said. Her pleasant voice had an edge of hardness to it. “Nate’s business alone has boomed so much he can’t quite keep up on it. Let alone the Richardson lines.”
“Yes, and I understand that it is noble of you to step in where you are needed. But a woman must be allowed some entertainment.”
“Which is why I came here.” Miss Barton’s voice had returned almost to normal. “Thank you for getting me out of the office. It was starting to feel quite cramped.”
“Well, even if Miss Barton isn’t interested, I am so grateful to you for vouching for me,” Miss Paynter replied. “Otherwise I would have no one. My mother was never presented.”
“It is my pleasure. And it can’t hurt your chances of a good match.” Mrs. Cuthbert nudged Miss Paynter with her shoulder. If Patience had to guess, Miss Paynter already had a certain gentleman in mind.
“A good match?” Miss Morgan said. “You wouldn’t happen to be thinking of Lord Bryant? That wouldn’t just be a good match but a phenomenal one. I think it would take a lot more than an introduction to the Queen if you are planning on setting your sights that high.”
Patience’s stomach went cold. Lord Bryant again? Was there no escaping the man?
Miss Barton’s head whipped around to Miss Paynter’s. “Are you being courted by Lord Bryant?”
Miss Morgan didn’t allow Miss Paynter an answer. “Lord Bryant doesn’t court women.” She snorted. “He has shown interest in you, Miss Paynter, for certain. Even I have noticed it. But everyone knows his interest is always short lived.”
The sound of a carriage approached, and this time, Patience glanced up with the other two women. Surely it couldn’t be Lord Bryant these two women were looking for. It couldn’t. Patience had no idea what Lord Bryant’s carriage looked like, but she assumed it would be much more elaborate than the one that passed them. Perhaps it wasn’t Lord Bryant they were hoping for. Both women looked down soon after seeing the carriage, so whomever they were waiting for must not have been inside.
Miss Paynter wrung her hands together. “Oh, I have no expectations with Lord Bryant, I assure you. He is, however, a good friend.”
This time it was Mrs. Cuthbert who snorted. “Lord Bryant also doesn’t make friends with such beautiful young women as yourself, Miss Paynter, and stranger things have happened. We will just have to see what happens during your first Season.”
A flurry of hoofbeats sounded behind her. Miss Paynter and Miss Morgan both looked up expectantly, and this time they did not glance back down. Miss Morgan’s face blossomed into a smile, as did Miss Paynter’s, albeit a less triumphant one.
Patience leaned toward the basket of food that had been laid out and grabbed a serviette. She covered the lower half of her face with it. Next time she went out in public, she would demand a veil. It must be him. All three women, even the resolute Miss Barton, looked at the man behind her with hesitant expectation. Who else besides Lord Bryant would cause such a reaction?
She heard the creak of leather as a man dismounted from his horse behind her, still out of her sight. It might not be him. It could be anyone. It could be Miss Barton’s brother. Miss Barton looked just as interested in the man behind her as everyone else. Yes, it must me Mr. Barton behind her.
“Well, this looks like a pleasant picnic party.” The voice was deep and masculine with just a hint of humor to it. It had been years since she had heard Lord Bryant’s voice, and although there was a hard edge to it that she didn’t