serious expression. “You did say that, yes. And I’m surprised to admit I’m actually disappointed.”
His words rob me of mine, and for many moments, we only stare at one another.
Our brief staring contest is interrupted by Lady Hasting, who, as all superior hostesses are, is skilled at sensing when any of her guests have stumbled into an awkward moment. In this case, her mission seems to have benefits for other guests as she leads over yet another fashionably dressed lady with daughters in tow. Their tailored corseted dresses are of complementary jewel tones, as though the mother wanted to present her daughters as a package of marriage potential to Lord Thornewood.
“My lord,” Lady Hasting says, “you must allow me to introduce you to Lady Marie Belleview, Countess of Dirkshire.”
The countess embodies my expectations for nobility with sharp features and haughty air, down to her elaborate dress. The dress is a rich shade of crimson trimmed in gold embroidery, befitting someone who outranks nearly everyone here—save for the earl.
The earl’s expression never changes from one of indifference, but he dips his head politely at least.
“And her daughters,” Lady Hasting continues, “Hyacinth and Rose.”
They execute perfect curtsies, though I notice Rose bites her bottom lip to mask her nervousness. This endears them to me more than anything else, since I now know what it feels like to be carefully groomed for the sole purpose of securing a gentleman’s interest. My eyes narrow at the earl when he continues to look unimpressed.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the earl says, his tone polite and nothing more.
Rose’s fair complexion hides nothing, and her cheeks flare pink.
“And have you met the granddaughter of my dear friend, Lady Sinclair?” Lady Hasting asks the countess.
The countess turns to look at me, her eyes appraising me in an instant. As her nose remains high in the air, I can only assume she finds me lacking. “Lovely to meet you,” she says.
I curtsy, smiling in a more genuine way when I look at Hyacinth and Rose. They return the gesture, Hyacinth’s timid smile not quite as bright as her sister’s.
I glance at Grandmama, who stands only a few feet away, and I am ready to leave before my words come ahead of my thoughts again. “I do hope you’ll excuse me,” I say. “I believe my grandmother and sister are ready to leave.”
Before I can take more than a few steps in the direction of Grandmama, the earl easily falls into step beside me. “Leaving already?” he asks, his voice low.
I have to force myself to take a breath before I speak, else I know I will stutter. The man knows how to set one on edge. “I’m afraid we must, my lord. My sister and I only just arrived in Town, and we crave rest after our trip.”
“Understandable. I’m only sorry our conversation was interrupted.” He glances back at Lady Hasting and the countess, who are thankfully having a discussion of their own.
I think of how nervous Hyacinth and Rose were. “Yes, I’m sure it’s exhausting to be forced to make the acquaintance of so many young ladies.”
The corners of his lips twitch as if he is suppressing a grin. “You cannot imagine.”
If he was Robert, I’d roll my eyes at him. As he is the earl, I can do nothing but smile tightly.
He bends low over my hand. As he barely brushes a kiss over the sensitive skin, his eyes lock onto mine. “However, I was very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Sinclair. Perhaps escorting you will not be such a hardship after all.”
FIVE
I awake at dawn, as I do every morning, and find I’m the only one up. The servants are quick to inform me the others don’t leave their rooms before eight o’clock in the morning, and breakfast would not be served until nine.
I would love to go riding, but I also know I cannot go unchaperoned. A book in hand, I curl up on the window seat, though it’s difficult to rein in my wandering mind. I
His words rob me of mine, and for many moments, we only stare at one another.
Our brief staring contest is interrupted by Lady Hasting, who, as all superior hostesses are, is skilled at sensing when any of her guests have stumbled into an awkward moment. In this case, her mission seems to have benefits for other guests as she leads over yet another fashionably dressed lady with daughters in tow. Their tailored corseted dresses are of complementary jewel tones, as though the mother wanted to present her daughters as a package of marriage potential to Lord Thornewood.
“My lord,” Lady Hasting says, “you must allow me to introduce you to Lady Marie Belleview, Countess of Dirkshire.”
The countess embodies my expectations for nobility with sharp features and haughty air, down to her elaborate dress. The dress is a rich shade of crimson trimmed in gold embroidery, befitting someone who outranks nearly everyone here—save for the earl.
The earl’s expression never changes from one of indifference, but he dips his head politely at least.
“And her daughters,” Lady Hasting continues, “Hyacinth and Rose.”
They execute perfect curtsies, though I notice Rose bites her bottom lip to mask her nervousness. This endears them to me more than anything else, since I now know what it feels like to be carefully groomed for the sole purpose of securing a gentleman’s interest. My eyes narrow at the earl when he continues to look unimpressed.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” the earl says, his tone polite and nothing more.
Rose’s fair complexion hides nothing, and her cheeks flare pink.
“And have you met the granddaughter of my dear friend, Lady Sinclair?” Lady Hasting asks the countess.
The countess turns to look at me, her eyes appraising me in an instant. As her nose remains high in the air, I can only assume she finds me lacking. “Lovely to meet you,” she says.
I curtsy, smiling in a more genuine way when I look at Hyacinth and Rose. They return the gesture, Hyacinth’s timid smile not quite as bright as her sister’s.
I glance at Grandmama, who stands only a few feet away, and I am ready to leave before my words come ahead of my thoughts again. “I do hope you’ll excuse me,” I say. “I believe my grandmother and sister are ready to leave.”
Before I can take more than a few steps in the direction of Grandmama, the earl easily falls into step beside me. “Leaving already?” he asks, his voice low.
I have to force myself to take a breath before I speak, else I know I will stutter. The man knows how to set one on edge. “I’m afraid we must, my lord. My sister and I only just arrived in Town, and we crave rest after our trip.”
“Understandable. I’m only sorry our conversation was interrupted.” He glances back at Lady Hasting and the countess, who are thankfully having a discussion of their own.
I think of how nervous Hyacinth and Rose were. “Yes, I’m sure it’s exhausting to be forced to make the acquaintance of so many young ladies.”
The corners of his lips twitch as if he is suppressing a grin. “You cannot imagine.”
If he was Robert, I’d roll my eyes at him. As he is the earl, I can do nothing but smile tightly.
He bends low over my hand. As he barely brushes a kiss over the sensitive skin, his eyes lock onto mine. “However, I was very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Sinclair. Perhaps escorting you will not be such a hardship after all.”
FIVE
I awake at dawn, as I do every morning, and find I’m the only one up. The servants are quick to inform me the others don’t leave their rooms before eight o’clock in the morning, and breakfast would not be served until nine.
I would love to go riding, but I also know I cannot go unchaperoned. A book in hand, I curl up on the window seat, though it’s difficult to rein in my wandering mind. I
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