Gail Eastwood by An Unlikely Hero

most handsome ladies in the group.”
    Of course, it was a lie. Lovely as they were, neither lady could compare to the twins. Probably all three of them knew it. Whatever made Nicholas think that he, Gilbey, had learned how to handle women? He was saved from further conversation however, as they came down the other side of the hill to find the rest of the group standing about in the hollow. A somewhat winded Lord Amberton was seated on a stone bench, puffing and blowing between complaints.
    “Bless me, but no one said we were going mountain climbing! I thought this was meant to be a pleasant stroll to the picnic site.” The path ahead led up another steep, wooded hill.
    While the twins and Nicholas endeavored to reassure him, the other members of the party were using the opportunity to regroup. Gilbey desperately looked for someone else to walk with, and finally discovered Lord Ashurst, who appeared to be keeping apart from the group.
    “Lady Vivian and her sister are stuck with Amberton, now,” the marquess observed bluntly. “He is like a bulldog they will have trouble shaking loose.”
    Gilbey nodded. “He is not the only one.” The twins were surrounded by Lord Amberton, Lord Wistowe, Lord Newcroft, and Lord Chesdale. Georgina Whitgreave and Lady Caroline walked together behind them, looking neglected, while Lady Elizabeth was keeping very close to Nicholas. Gilbey noted with relief that Lady Norbridge had sought out Lord Munslow and that Lady Adela had been reined in by her mother and now walked dutifully between that good lady and the very young Earl of Lindell.
    Their route wound through the woods, up and down hill, until finally it descended a long slope to an open meadow beside the River Coln. There the intrepid foot travelers found long tables set out, clad in snowy linen and laden with all kinds of dishes. Rugs had been spread upon the grass, and soft pillows offered comfortable seating. The guests who had come by carriage were settled and already eating.
    With appetites sharpened by exercise, the new arrivals clustered around the tables, waiting to be served, and then joined their cohorts. Gilbey and Lord Ashurst were the last to be served. They took their loaded plates and slipped off to one side, where they could observe the scene before them.
    The twins had, with applaudable tact, plunked themselves down in the midst of the group of young ladies, forcing their admirers to dance attendance on all of them. Gilbey noticed that Venetia was the one who kept the gentlemen hopping, sending one back to the table for one thing and directing another to the carriages to fetch something else.
    “Not one of them is worth so much as the littlest toe of either of the twins,” Lord Ashurst muttered.
    Surprised by this comment, Gilbey smiled. “Perhaps we should be in there offering our own services, sir?”
    The marquess shook his head. “I wouldn’t be so presumptuous.”
    “Presumptuous?”
    “Certainly. Do you think we are any better qualified to attend them than the rest?” He shook his head again. “I would not wish to inflict myself upon them. I cannot fathom what Roxley thinks he is about. If this sorry group of suitors is the best he can do for his daughters, then he is a fool.”
    Gilbey could hardly believe his ears. Cynical the marquess might be, but that comment did not come from a man who was cold or aloof. It appeared that Lord Ashurst was exceedingly modest, perhaps even to the point of being shy. He clearly held Nicholas’s sisters in high esteem.
    Gilbey decided that he rather liked the marquess. “We may cause more offense by staying away than if we join the throng, I regret to say,” he replied. “I see that we are observed, and I suspect we are judged neglectful.”
    Ashurst looked around. “By whom?”
    “Lady Venetia. She has cast several dark looks in our direction.”
    “Has she? I didn’t notice.” Ashurst sighed. “I suppose we have no choice, then. It simply won’t do to