Read Online After The Storm by Kimberly Nee - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Kimberly Nee
Ads: Link
terrible?”
There was only one answer that wouldn’t result in a rather dramatic flounce from the room. “Of course not.”
Her silk gown crinkled as she twisted toward Elyse. “What did you think of her?”
“I like her, actually. I find her candor most refreshing.”
Elyse was never one to worry about antagonizing Sally and Hugh grinned at Sally’s anticipated scowl. “I think you said the wrong thing, Elyse. Do tell us, pet, before you burst. What did you think of her?”
Sally bit her bottom lip, worried it for several moments before she sighed as if something heavy weighted her mind. “Well, I don’t like to gossip, but she seemed so… mannish …to me. Don’t you think?”
Derek chewed thoughtfully on the cigar clamped between his teeth, though his faraway expression suggested his attention was directed elsewhere. “I don’t think I’d use that particular word to describe her.”
Nor would Hugh, though he remained silent. The last thing he wanted, or needed, was to spend the remainder of a pleasant evening smoothing Sally’s ruffled feathers. It required much more than a few compliments and he was too tired to contemplate such an endeavor. Even now, she’d turned her glare on Derek, though to his credit, the man hardly seemed to notice.
Elyse shook her head, waving away Sally’s observation as if it was so much nonsense. “Oh, so she’s a bit tall. That doesn’t makes her masculine. Why, when she learns all of the proper steps, she’ll be a most graceful dancer.” She turned an impish grin to Hugh. “And you’ll probably not have to worry about losing a foot.”
“As I explained to Miss MacDonough, the feeling has long since returned to my feet.” Hugh set his drink on the table, and reached for a cigar. He lit it and stretched his aching leg, exhaling a cloud of blue smoke as he added, “In fact, I think she’d greatly improved by the end.”
Sally’s scowl deepened and a groove formed between her perfectly arched brows. “Do you plan to dance with her again, darling? Whatever for? Haven’t you helped enough as it is?”
“Enough? She’s had but one lesson and though I daresay she will improve with time, no one learns in one lesson, I’m afraid.” His humor faded. Miranda was already quite the sore spot with her, and he didn’t want to worsen the situation. “I think my services are going to be required for a few more lessons, to say the least. But worry not, my lady. It is nothing more than dancing. No harm in a waltz, despite what the stodgy crows might think.”
“Really? You waltzed with her, then?”
He swallowed a groan as her left brow crept up ever so slightly. So much for not ruffling her feathers. They were positively bent every which way now. “Several times, yes.”
She crossed her arms over her generous bosom and glared at him. “Well, I am sure it was a lovely time.”
“Oh, Sally, you’ve no need to be upset. It was all perfectly innocent.” Elyse leaned on the sofa’s arm to grin at Hugh. “Wasn’t it, Hugh?”
“Oh, yes. It was innocent and proper and there was no undue touching of any sort.” He stubbed out his cigar and slowly got to his feet. His left leg ached worse than usual, and he suspected an afternoon of dancing played a large part. “Do let me see you to your coach, my lady.” He offered Sally his arm. “I believe your mother is most likely half-asleep in the music room waiting for us.”
Her scowl eased, but her eyes were still hard as she accepted his arm and allowed him to help her rise. She bid Elyse and Derek a terse good evening, and held tight to Hugh’s arm as he thunked his way out of the drawing room.
Her hand rested stiffly against his forearm, her fingers only barely bent over it. Instead of looking up at him, as she usually did, she stared straight ahead.
In the privacy of the hallway, she stopped. “Tell me true. What did you think of her?”
Her hand slid from his arm and she turned toward him, her eyes
There was only one answer that wouldn’t result in a rather dramatic flounce from the room. “Of course not.”
Her silk gown crinkled as she twisted toward Elyse. “What did you think of her?”
“I like her, actually. I find her candor most refreshing.”
Elyse was never one to worry about antagonizing Sally and Hugh grinned at Sally’s anticipated scowl. “I think you said the wrong thing, Elyse. Do tell us, pet, before you burst. What did you think of her?”
Sally bit her bottom lip, worried it for several moments before she sighed as if something heavy weighted her mind. “Well, I don’t like to gossip, but she seemed so… mannish …to me. Don’t you think?”
Derek chewed thoughtfully on the cigar clamped between his teeth, though his faraway expression suggested his attention was directed elsewhere. “I don’t think I’d use that particular word to describe her.”
Nor would Hugh, though he remained silent. The last thing he wanted, or needed, was to spend the remainder of a pleasant evening smoothing Sally’s ruffled feathers. It required much more than a few compliments and he was too tired to contemplate such an endeavor. Even now, she’d turned her glare on Derek, though to his credit, the man hardly seemed to notice.
Elyse shook her head, waving away Sally’s observation as if it was so much nonsense. “Oh, so she’s a bit tall. That doesn’t makes her masculine. Why, when she learns all of the proper steps, she’ll be a most graceful dancer.” She turned an impish grin to Hugh. “And you’ll probably not have to worry about losing a foot.”
“As I explained to Miss MacDonough, the feeling has long since returned to my feet.” Hugh set his drink on the table, and reached for a cigar. He lit it and stretched his aching leg, exhaling a cloud of blue smoke as he added, “In fact, I think she’d greatly improved by the end.”
Sally’s scowl deepened and a groove formed between her perfectly arched brows. “Do you plan to dance with her again, darling? Whatever for? Haven’t you helped enough as it is?”
“Enough? She’s had but one lesson and though I daresay she will improve with time, no one learns in one lesson, I’m afraid.” His humor faded. Miranda was already quite the sore spot with her, and he didn’t want to worsen the situation. “I think my services are going to be required for a few more lessons, to say the least. But worry not, my lady. It is nothing more than dancing. No harm in a waltz, despite what the stodgy crows might think.”
“Really? You waltzed with her, then?”
He swallowed a groan as her left brow crept up ever so slightly. So much for not ruffling her feathers. They were positively bent every which way now. “Several times, yes.”
She crossed her arms over her generous bosom and glared at him. “Well, I am sure it was a lovely time.”
“Oh, Sally, you’ve no need to be upset. It was all perfectly innocent.” Elyse leaned on the sofa’s arm to grin at Hugh. “Wasn’t it, Hugh?”
“Oh, yes. It was innocent and proper and there was no undue touching of any sort.” He stubbed out his cigar and slowly got to his feet. His left leg ached worse than usual, and he suspected an afternoon of dancing played a large part. “Do let me see you to your coach, my lady.” He offered Sally his arm. “I believe your mother is most likely half-asleep in the music room waiting for us.”
Her scowl eased, but her eyes were still hard as she accepted his arm and allowed him to help her rise. She bid Elyse and Derek a terse good evening, and held tight to Hugh’s arm as he thunked his way out of the drawing room.
Her hand rested stiffly against his forearm, her fingers only barely bent over it. Instead of looking up at him, as she usually did, she stared straight ahead.
In the privacy of the hallway, she stopped. “Tell me true. What did you think of her?”
Her hand slid from his arm and she turned toward him, her eyes
Similar Books
