Ah, there was his target, standing under the shade of a tree watching him from under the brim of her hat. Twenty meters from her, Nicholas let his horse continue to trot at a leisurely pace, pretending not to notice her presence. It was a fine afternoon and Nightshade would appreciate the exercise. There were a few people entering the park at that hour, but at half past four the park goers would start coming. It would not be good for Ms. Abbott’s request for privacy when people came strolling in the park.

Then again he was curious. Besides, Hyde Park was large enough to contain them all. With this in mind, Nicholas surveyed the area for any signs of Ms. Abbott’s entourage. He passed by a couple of open carriages and tipped an imaginary hat for the young ladies and gentlemen aboard. Completing his small circuit, he decided that perhaps Ms. Abbott did manage to convince her father to send her out alone. There was the carriage that brought her to the park, but there was no maidservants coming out to accompany her. Satisfied with his observation, he led his horse to the tree where the lady waited.

Upon more careful observation, he discovered how the dress she wore flattered her figure. It gave strict emphasis to the lines of her body, from her shoulders, to her side, down to her slender waist, and then widening on the hips. If she was not the woman who was about to ruin his life, he would have been glad to be riding at that exact time in Hyde Park. Nevertheless, the woman standing under the tree was Claire Abbott. The beautiful adulteress, Ms. Claire Abbott.

Nicholas forced his mind back to perspective of the game where he told himself over and over again his assigned role – the suitor. He would woo Ms. Abbott until she was under his thumb, and then perhaps his life wouldn’t be so hard. The gentleman effortlessly climbed down his horse. “Have you been here long, Ms. Abbott?” he asked, leading Nightshade under the shade of the tree. He reached for her gloved hand and brushed his lips on her knuckles, then with a soft, almost gentle voice, he added, “I apologize for not noticing you sooner. And it is difficult not to notice a lady of such elegance and beauty.”

There went his words – to the air – hoping that the recipient would respond positively, but deep down inside he anticipated Ms. Abbott to only hate him more. She was a different kind of woman – a highborn who was immune to flattery. She was a rare kind of woman, and she was the kind that he would rather not involve himself with.

Nicholas straightened himself and let go of her hand. “You didn’t have a horse with you, Ms. Abbott? I take it that you do not favor riding?” Which was logical since he imagined that she had no need, because her father had carriages and coachmen that can bring her to places she wanted to be. Why learn to ride at all? Except maybe because it was fashionable. “Nightshade and I would have appreciated a companion.” He shrugged. “Very well, on to the pressing matter at hand. What did you want to talk about in private, Ms. Abbott?”