Gentlemen Prefer Spinsters (Spinsters Club #1)(43)

“Oh look,” she said, forced surprise lighting her voice. “It is Mrs. Devine and her daughters. What a happy coincidence.”

“Coincidence, my arse,” Harcourt muttered, and Griff chuckled.

Pasting a smile on his face, he greeted the sisters courteously. They were a pretty couple with pleasant manners, but both were shy and clearly uncomfortable with their mother’s attempts at matchmaking.

“Shall we continue on?” Harcourt suggested. It would be harder for them to converse if they were riding and would save them all from embarrassment at their mother’s actions.

“Of course. Though, I think I must take it a little more slowly,” his mother said. “But do not let that slow you down. Mrs. Devine can keep me company.”

Harcourt rolled his eyes and set the pace again. Both girls were excellent riders and far better at it than conversing. He and Griff rode with vigor, using the countryside to show off their skills. The girls laughed and relaxed as the journey continued on.

“We had better slow down,” said Harcourt. “We have lost the mothers.” He slowed and glanced back to where the older women were taking their time to catch up with them.

“You are an excellent rider, my lord.” Miss Charlotte smiled, her cheeks rosy from the exertion.

“As are you, Miss Charlotte.” He looked to her sister. “And you, Miss Devine.”

The blush in Miss Devine’s cheeks deepened. “Thank you, my lord. My sister and I like to ride as often as we can.”

Harcourt nodded. “But not in this direction often, I would wager.”

Miss Charlotte swung a glance at her sister and grimaced. “Our mother insisted we ride out this way today. We did not fathom the reason why.”

“Charlotte,” hissed her younger sister. “You should not be admitting that.”

Griff chuckled. “Well, I am not complaining about this meeting. Not when I get to see such beautiful women enjoying the fresh country air.”

“Oh.” Miss Devine’s face turned nearly completely red.

“Careful, Griff,” Harcourt murmured. “My mother shall have you married before dawn if you do not be cautious with your flirtations.”

Their mothers were not far behind, so Harcourt gave the horse a flick with his reins and widened the gap. They rode until they reached the village then circled back around to head in the direction of the Devine’s house.

“I am quite thirsty,” Harcourt’s mother declared once they reached the modest but elegant home.

“Oh you must come inside,” Mrs. Devine said. “All of you.”

Miss Charlotte rolled her eyes. Harcourt masked a chuckle. “I am afraid I have estate duties to attend to,” he explained.

“But—” his mother started.

“They are quite urgent I am afraid. And I could do with a hand from Griff.”

“But—” protested Griff.

“Thank you for the excellent ride, ladies. Mother, you take your time. There is no need to rush home and do send word if you need a carriage.”

“I am not ancient,” he heard her grumble as he and Griff lead their horses away from the house.

Harcourt shook his head. “If that is not enough to chase you back to London, I do not know what is.”

Griff shrugged. “They were a little on the quiet side but charming. Not to mention excellent riders. I like a woman who can handle a horse.”

“As excellent a woman as my mother is, I cannot help wish she’d return to Bath.”

“And leave you to courting Miss Merry?” Griff shot a knowing look his way.

Harcourt said nothing.

“I know it is more than a passing fancy, Easton. I’m no fool.”

They made their way back toward the estate at an easy pace. Harcourt had every intention of seeing Merry before the day ended but managed to resist the urge to race home to change.

“She is the reason for the change in you, is she not?” Griff pressed. “Why you no longer want to spend time in London and why you have not taken a lover in an eternity?”

“It has not been an eternity,” he muttered.

“Have you asked her to marry you?”

“Not yet.”

Griff peered at him. “Why the devil not?”

Harcourt stared straight ahead, ignoring his friend’s inquisitive stare. “Let’s just say Merry is not convinced that I am the marrying type.”

Griff laughed. “She has turned you down?”

“Not as such.” He sighed. “But she is refusing to let herself admit she wants me.”

“It sounds like she is going to take some persuading.”

Harcourt nodded and tightened his grip on the reins. “Indeed. A fine job I do not give up easily.”

“First you have to figure out who is trying to hurt her,” Griff pointed out. “Can hardly seduce her while trying to protect her.”

Harcourt gave his friend a look and Griff laughed. “You devil, you have been trying to do both.”

“It is more than seduction with Merry,” Harcourt admitted. “I love the woman, Griff.”

Griff shook his head slowly. “Well, I do not know her that well yet, but she seems to be quite the woman. I cannot say I see why you would wish to settle already but if there’s any woman that can keep you on your toes, it will be her.”