through his hair. “I did not mean to offend. I have no sisters, and my mother—” His voice faded.
She softened a little at the look crossing his face. It was there for only a moment. Just a flash of something vulnerable. “Your mother?” she prompted.
“Well, I wanted to say she doesn’t read Greek philosophy, but then I don’t really know her well enough to say.”
Prim digested that for a moment, nodding slowly. She could accuse her mother of many things. But never could Prim claim she didn’t know her.
Prim knew her almost too well. She knew all her faults and all her strengths. Yes, she had to acknowledge that her mother had some good in her, too.
Mama might be overbearing and insensitive to the wishes of others, but her family was everything to her. She merely thought that her way was the best way and everyone else was wrong.
Jacob continued, “We’re never in a room very long together, but I’ve never seen her read a book. Never seen one even in her vicinity. She has her friends and parties and many charities to occupy her. Mostly her parties. She lives for the season.”
“You do not reside with your mother?”
“No.” He shook his head. “When I’m in Town I stay at my own town house. She resides at the family residence in Mayfair.”
They kept multiple homes in Town and in the country?
She knew it was the way of the very rich, of the noblesse, and she was more and more certain he could be counted in their ranks. The only close comparison she could make was with Violet’s betrothed. Redding was rich in a similar fashion. He might not possess a title or an old, venerable family name, but he was plump in the pocket. Violet would soon know what it was like to have more than one house and servants waiting on her hand and foot in each of them.
“Are you still hungry?” he asked abruptly, standing from the bench and offering her his hand very correctly. She looked up from that broad palm he held open to her. He smiled down at her mildly, awaiting her response.
“Yes. Thank you.” Now that her queasiness had passed, she realized she was famished. She had planned to find something to eat with Olympia. Indeed, she had forgotten all about that. She rose to her feet and accepted his arm, frowning as her thoughts settled darkly on her missing friend. She felt a stab of guilt that she had forgotten all about her.
“There are several supper boxes near the front,” he said as they set off.
He caught a glimpse of her face and paused. “What is it? Are you feeling ill again?” He glanced around as though looking for the ideal place for her to retch once more.
“No, no.” She shook her head and inhaled deeply. “It’s not that. It’s Olympia. We haven’t found her, and I’m a terrible person because—” She stopped suddenly.
She’d already been too open with him, too revealing. She was comfortable enough to be herself only ever around Olympia and, at times, Aster.
But with him, with Jacob, her walls seemed to crumble to dust. She couldn’t imagine it would be that way with the eligible men her mother would inevitably push on her. There would never be this ease, this intimacy.
It was strange how familiar she felt with him, how close, and she had met him only today.
But why not? Why could she not have this?
She would never see him again.
This was the point of the night, after all—to live, to embrace fun, and to find adventure. And so far, Jacob had proved himself to be a gentleman.
“Because what?” he prompted her to finish.
“Because I’m enjoying myself,” she admitted, releasing a nervous huff. “Dreadful animal-baiting aside, of course.”
“Of course,” he echoed.
“I’m enjoying myself when I should only be looking for Olympia.” Heat climbed up her neck, igniting her face at this shameful admission. “I forgot my own dear friend, who is probably worried out of her head and actually looking for me.” She gestured in agitation to the vastness of the Gardens. “Meanwhile, I’m here with you and having an unexpectedly delightful time and I’m an absolute wretch for it.”
He stared at her for a long moment, his dark eyes contemplative. “You’re not a wretch. You’re human.” He paused to shrug. “There is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself as you search. It’s Vauxhall. A veritable garden of delights. How can you unsee what’s happening around you? We’ll find her.