Read Online Love in Three-Quarter Time by Dina Sleiman - Free Book Online

hostess.
    â€œNothing new about you being late, Robbie. Working hard as usual, I’m sure.” Mr. Beaumont’s tone seemed pleasant enough, although Constance wondered if there was ever tension between him and his stepson.
    â€œYes, working hard. We should have the southern lot ready by midweek, and then I’ll be on my way to Princess Anne County for a while.”
    â€œBut—” Mrs. Beaumont seemed as if she might protest until Mr. Beaumont interrupted.
    â€œSince we’re all here now, let’s say grace, darling.” He linked hands with his wife and stepson, and they all followed suit.
    Constance managed to hold back a giggle when Mr. Percy took her hand across the table as if it were a snake that might strike him.
    â€œDear heavenly Father,” Mr. Beaumont began, “thank you for this bounty and this land in our fresh new country. Thank you for the many opportunities with which you have blessed us and the tobacco plant that grows tall and strong in this rich soil. May we always be mindful of your presence in our lives. May we be good stewards of this gift and the dear servants you’ve entrusted in our care. Be with us as we go through our evening and guide our conversations this night. In your holy, mighty name we pray, amen.”
    The simple prayer—so personal yet so eloquent—shook Constance to her core.
May we always be mindful of your presence in our lives.
Surely she was mindful of God’s presence, that hovering shadow always watching over her shoulder, awaiting her next failure, and plotting her imminent demise. Somehow, she thought, that wasn’t what Mr. Beaumont meant at all.
    She was about to mention the lovely prayer, but then reminded herself to don her accent, which brought to mind the “
guide our conversations this night”
line from the petition. This overwhelmed her with guilt at her deception, so she bit her lip and uttered not a word.
    â€œBack to what you were saying, darling,” Mr. Beaumont prompted his wife.
    â€œYes, of course.” She batted her lashes over blue eyes a few times, as if to recall her thoughts. “Robbie, you can’t simply dash off. I need you to assist Miss Cavendish as she instructs your sisters. They must see the dances performed properly by experts, and you must help them practice the patterns for foursomes. On this I must insist. Joshua, please serve the ham.” She turned to the liveried servant and smiled, closing the subject.
    â€œMother, we never discussed this. How is it that you’ve planned my spring without my permission? I’m not a schoolboy anymore. I have my own affairs to attend.” Robbie held up his plate for the proffered ham.
    Mrs. Beaumont affixed her face with an unnatural degree of blankness. “I’m certain we did. Where is Martha with those potatoes?”
    Robbie shook his head and rolled his eyes. “Mother.”
    â€œDon’t you think we need Robert’s help, Miss Cavendish?”
    Constance nearly dropped her plate as Joshua placed a large slice of ham upon it, but she caught it in time. She looked to Robbie, then to Mrs. Beaumont, and back again. “I dare say it is advantageous to have an expert male about for partnering, but I should hate to keep thee from thy appointments, Mr. Montgomery.”
    The sharp upraise of Robbie’s eyebrow told her something was amiss. Then she realized. In all the confusion in the hallway, she hadn’t used her accent. Even if she had, Robbie would have recalled her typical speech of five years ago.
    She beseeched him with her eyes, hoping they still retained a hint of their flirtatious magic.
If ever you loved me
, she silently shouted from their depths,
if ever you held a shred of true affection for me, please do not reveal my secret.
    He held his own silence and relaxed his features.
    â€œNonsense. Robbie’s appointments are never ending. Life cannot be put on hold for them. We are