"He is slowing down," Amy said, and Judith realized with a jolt that her sister-in-law had been commenting on the approach of a rider and expressing the hope that he would not gallop too close to the children.
And looking up, Judith felt that disconcerting somersaulting of her stomach again. The rider, with a billowing black cloak, drew his equally black stallion to a halt, removed his beaver hat, and sketched them a bow.
"Mrs. Easton," the Marquess of Denbigh said. "Good afternoon to you."
She inclined her head. "Good afternoon, my lord," she said, expecting him to move on without further delay. She was surprised he had stopped at all.
He did not move on. He looked inquiringly at Amy.
"May I present my sister-in-law, Miss Easton, my lord?" she said. "The Marquess of Denbigh, Amy."
Amy smiled and curtsied as he made her a deeper bow than the one with which he had greeted Judith.
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord," Amy said.
"Likewise, ma'am," he said. "I did not know that your brother had any sisters."
"I have always lived in the country," Amy said. "But when Judith came to London and needed a companion, then I gladly agreed to accompany her. I have always wanted to see London."
"I hope you are having your wish granted, ma'am," he said. "You have visited the Tower and Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's? And the museum?"
"Westminster Abbey, yes," Amy said. "But we still have a great deal of exploring to do, don't we, Judith? We are going to drive down to the river tomorrow, or perhaps the day after since Judith is to attend a ball this evening and is likely to be late home. Have you heard that it is frozen over, my lord?"