As one, they turned to see a matronly figure parting the throng.
“Mama!” exclaimed Sabrina. “How very glad I am to see you. Lady Elsworth wanted me to relay Lady Bidewell’s request for your assistance with—”
“Yes, yes. I already know all about it. Lady Boswell informed me,” Lady Aylesford interrupted, gazing up at Montgomery with a most calculating look in her eye. “But tell me, who is your companion?”
Montgomery bowed, still smiling. “My lady, I must say it is a great pleasure to see you again.”
“Henry?” Her hand fluttered to her breast. “Upon my word, how you have grown! Where is the rapscallion who used to pilfer my scones?”
“Still very much here, dear lady. And beware, for I still adore sweets.”
Sabrina felt herself grow warm. He’d been looking right at her when he said it.
“Well, you cannot tell by looking at you,” said her mother. “I can see I shall have to take you in hand. You are thin as a reed!”
Incredulous, Sabrina just stared at her mother. He was the epitome of health.
“My boy, you really must come and—”
Sabrina cleared her throat and shook her head a little.
Mama continued as though she had not noticed. “You must come to tea this Thursday. I simply will not accept a refusal!”
“My lady, I am most pleased to accept your kind invitation.”
“Excellent!” replied Mama at once. “Sabrina, remind me tomorrow to invite Eugenia to tea Thursday. I’m sure she would love to see Henry again. Now, I beg you to excuse me. I hate to leave again so quickly, but I’ve sworn to assist Lady Bidewell with something and the need is urgent.”
“But M—”
“You have far less need of my shepherding skills, my dear,” her mother insisted, cutting off her protest. She flashed an arch smile at him. “I’m sure Henry will be happy to escort you the remainder of this evening, won’t you dear?”
“I shall care for her as if she were my very own, my lady.”
“Oh, pish tosh!” hooted her mother. “Do call me Auntie as you used to—there’s no need for formality between us, dear boy. I knew you when you were in nappies.”
She would be pinching his cheeks next!
“Of course, Auntie,” he said, with far too much enthusiasm.
“Good boy. Now, I’m off to try and make a bride of the Bidewell girl.” Her mother gathered herself as though in preparation for impending battle. “Wish me luck, for I shall have need of it.”
Dread filled Sabrina. She knew exactly what her mother was up to, and it was absolutely infuriating.
Relax. She took a few deep, restorative breaths. If Fairford got the impression Montgomery was courting her…
“How is Eugenia?” asked Montgomery, pulling her back into the moment.
“Eugenia? Quite well. She recently presented her husband with their fourth child, a boy. The first three were girls.”
“I have been away a long time,” he muttered. “I suppose she is overjoyed?”
“She is arranging his marriage already, and he is but three months old,” she replied, caught off guard. It struck her as odd that a man would be even remotely interested in such things.
“I’m pleased to hear she has finally taken to domesticity. I remember she was such a hoyden—rather like her youngest sister.”
The glow in his eyes caused her stomach to flip again. Blinking, Sabrina shook herself. “I’m not nearly as adventurous as Eugenia,” she said, aiming for “dull and proper” as she covertly scanned the crush. Fairford’s flaxen head was nowhere in sight.
“I rather think you underestimate your own courage, Pest,” said Montgomery, dropping his voice to an intimate murmur.