“Madam.” He nodded politely to the matron, but wasn’t truly interested in beginning a conversation. He glanced toward the door with longing—and his heart skipped a beat at the glimpse of a well-formed figure blocking his path. For a moment, hope bloomed in his chest. Yet the small woman, so pale she almost appeared translucent with the sunlight shining behind her, was indeed a stranger to him.
The village was not so large that new faces were not instantly the center of attention. This woman was ten times more handsome than past newcomers, and her confident smile hinted she knew she was attractive.
“Mr. Whitfield, may I introduce my sister, Mrs. Alice Beck, formerly of Bath,” Mrs. Napier murmured at his side.
For a moment, he was frustrated his escape was yet again delayed, but then he recovered his manners and offered a short bow. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“And you, sir,” Mrs. Beck said softly. “I have heard so much about you since my arrival.”
He laughed, but he felt nerves jumping inside him. “All good things, I trust.”
“The very best.” She smiled and a charming pair of dimples graced her cheeks. “My brother-in-law was telling me over breakfast that your interest in botany is known all the way to London.”
“I doubt that far, but I am a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. Do you have an interest in the subject?”
Mrs. Beck eased closer. “In many things, sir. I should dearly love to see the specimens you grow. I hear too that you have an astonishing array of greenhouses.”
“Indeed I do, but far less than the Duke of Stapleton’s estate boasts.”
She beamed at him, flashing those dimples yet again. “I should dearly love to bring my sons, if you can bear the noise of two boys under the age of ten asking a thousand questions of you.”
Mrs. Napier edged closer, and Gideon felt himself hemmed in completely. “Mr. Whitfield has the patience of a saint when it comes to children.”
Mrs. Beck smiled. “Do you have family?”
“No, none.”
Mrs. Napier’s smile widened. “None of his own, but he is closely acquainted with the Duke of Stapleton and his children, which I’ve written to you about before, I am sure.”
“Yes, I remember something to that effect.”
Gideon did not like it when people remarked on his friendship with the duke. He rarely spoke of the family to others. “The duke’s children are fully grown,” he told Mrs. Beck, to be sure there were no misunderstandings about the Westfall children’s ages.
Mrs. Beck nodded. “Do they live close?”
“The Westfalls? Goodness, no.” Gideon shuffled his feet a little and fought the urge to loosen his neck cloth. “Each has moved away years ago.”
“Have you any news about the success of Lady Jessica’s London season?” Mrs. Napier asked.
He shook his head. “I’ve not received news of a wedding yet.”
But he’d been expecting a letter from someone in the family any day now. Lady Jessica Westfall was sure to win hearts wherever she went.
Mrs. Beck pressed her hand to her brow suddenly. “It is so very warm inside, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it is. I was just on my way out for that reason. There were a few ladies outside earlier, where it is cooler. I saw chairs if you’d like to sit in the shade.” Escorting Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Napier to them would help him escape faster, too.
Mrs. Beck beamed but Mrs. Napier declined to accompany him, although she promised to follow.
Left with only Mrs. Beck, Gideon stood uncertainly. He’d maneuvered himself into yet another situation where he had to play escort. Would he ever learn to bite his tongue?
“I would be very grateful for your company, sir,” Mrs. Beck murmured.
Without any other choice, he nodded. “Very well.”
He escorted Mrs. Beck to sit in a chair in the shade, but remained on his feet. “Better?”
“Indeed.” Mrs. Beck beamed her dimples at him again and opened a delicate fan. She fluttered it before her face, but her eyes were trained on his. “I do appreciate your assistance today. Coming to live in a new place is not easy. My sister wants me to feel at home here but such occasions bring back so many unpleasant memories.”