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Authors: Madeline Hunter
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their little joke. He gazed deeply, commanding her reluctant attention.
He let the moment stretch too long. Shutters rapidly closed, as if she saw danger in his eyes. She stiffened perceptibly.
Suddenly bodies milled around them as the servants were dismissed. Henrietta’s hat intruded between him and Miss Welbourne. “Hayden, I have informed the cook that you will dine with us tomorrow night. Easterbrook and Elliot too.”
“Elliot is in Cambridge, and Christian is engaged tomorrow.” He began to add his own regrets, but a view of violets and roses stopped the words. Miss Welbourne was speaking with Caroline, calmly taking her charge in hand.
“I will be glad to accept, however, if my presence alone will not be too boring.”
“Never boring. I have not been in London in years and will be at a loss without your help easing me back into polite society. I have quite forgotten what Caroline should see and do. We depend on you to draw up lists of sites for us all to visit and diversions for us to enjoy.”
He suspected she included him in “us all.” Before tomorrow’s dinner was over, Hen would have his diary filled with ways he would “help.”
It was all Miss Welbourne’s fault. She had distracted him and he had dropped his guard. If she left him at Hen’s mercy with one small smile, it was just as well she hated him and would not smile often.
He took his leave and received Miss Welbourne’s cool farewell amid Henrietta’s effusive ones. As he left the house, Hen was following the housekeeper up to see the other chambers, and Caroline was skipping ahead to find the music room.
Which meant that Miss Welbourne was the only one to actually watch him go.
Patience,
Alexia said to herself.
Remember your place. Swallow the words that would express what you think.
She sat at the dining-room table with Lady Wallingford, Caroline, and Lord Hayden. Keeping silent during these dinners proved fairly easy, because Lady Wallingford kept talking to her nephew. At the last two meals he attended, she had cajoled him to tell her all the current town gossip, complete with descriptions of important characters. Tonight she was cornering him into taking her to the British Museum.
Lord Hayden frequently looked Alexia’s way, as if he expected her to interrupt and save him from his aunt’s designs. Alexia had no inclination to do so. She was a servant, after all. It wasn’t her place, was it? He was being too obvious too. It appeared he ignored his aunt when he turned his attention away like that.
He handled his aunt with an affectionate firmness that implied he thought her too mentally scattered to be blamed for her excesses. He apparently did not fully appreciate her character. In one short week, Alexia had discovered that Lady Wallingford’s helpless, frivolous manner masked a very feminine type of mental brilliance.
“It would be more educational for Caroline if you brought us, Hayden,” Lady Wallingford said. “I am ignorant of ancient history and could never explain the significance of the artifacts.” She gave him a smile designed to melt iron. “And Caroline really does not know you and your brothers very well. Nor you her, now that she is no longer a child.”
Caroline blushed to her ears. Her mother’s sly glance shot her a cue. Caroline forced a hopeful smile. “It would be so wonderful to visit the museum with you, Hayden. If you can spare us the time, that is.”
Within several minutes Lady Wallingford had her nephew hooked on her fishing line. Next week he would accompany them all to the museum.
Alexia rather enjoyed watching her new mistress manage this stern, proud man. Nor did he appear to suspect his aunt’s grandest design, which was to hook him thoroughly and permanently.
“Now, we must decide on the modiste for Caroline’s presentation gown,” Lady Wallingford said. “I have heard that there is a Madame Tissot who is a wonder, and also that Mrs. Waterman would do.
He let the moment stretch too long. Shutters rapidly closed, as if she saw danger in his eyes. She stiffened perceptibly.
Suddenly bodies milled around them as the servants were dismissed. Henrietta’s hat intruded between him and Miss Welbourne. “Hayden, I have informed the cook that you will dine with us tomorrow night. Easterbrook and Elliot too.”
“Elliot is in Cambridge, and Christian is engaged tomorrow.” He began to add his own regrets, but a view of violets and roses stopped the words. Miss Welbourne was speaking with Caroline, calmly taking her charge in hand.
“I will be glad to accept, however, if my presence alone will not be too boring.”
“Never boring. I have not been in London in years and will be at a loss without your help easing me back into polite society. I have quite forgotten what Caroline should see and do. We depend on you to draw up lists of sites for us all to visit and diversions for us to enjoy.”
He suspected she included him in “us all.” Before tomorrow’s dinner was over, Hen would have his diary filled with ways he would “help.”
It was all Miss Welbourne’s fault. She had distracted him and he had dropped his guard. If she left him at Hen’s mercy with one small smile, it was just as well she hated him and would not smile often.
He took his leave and received Miss Welbourne’s cool farewell amid Henrietta’s effusive ones. As he left the house, Hen was following the housekeeper up to see the other chambers, and Caroline was skipping ahead to find the music room.
Which meant that Miss Welbourne was the only one to actually watch him go.
Patience,
Alexia said to herself.
Remember your place. Swallow the words that would express what you think.
She sat at the dining-room table with Lady Wallingford, Caroline, and Lord Hayden. Keeping silent during these dinners proved fairly easy, because Lady Wallingford kept talking to her nephew. At the last two meals he attended, she had cajoled him to tell her all the current town gossip, complete with descriptions of important characters. Tonight she was cornering him into taking her to the British Museum.
Lord Hayden frequently looked Alexia’s way, as if he expected her to interrupt and save him from his aunt’s designs. Alexia had no inclination to do so. She was a servant, after all. It wasn’t her place, was it? He was being too obvious too. It appeared he ignored his aunt when he turned his attention away like that.
He handled his aunt with an affectionate firmness that implied he thought her too mentally scattered to be blamed for her excesses. He apparently did not fully appreciate her character. In one short week, Alexia had discovered that Lady Wallingford’s helpless, frivolous manner masked a very feminine type of mental brilliance.
“It would be more educational for Caroline if you brought us, Hayden,” Lady Wallingford said. “I am ignorant of ancient history and could never explain the significance of the artifacts.” She gave him a smile designed to melt iron. “And Caroline really does not know you and your brothers very well. Nor you her, now that she is no longer a child.”
Caroline blushed to her ears. Her mother’s sly glance shot her a cue. Caroline forced a hopeful smile. “It would be so wonderful to visit the museum with you, Hayden. If you can spare us the time, that is.”
Within several minutes Lady Wallingford had her nephew hooked on her fishing line. Next week he would accompany them all to the museum.
Alexia rather enjoyed watching her new mistress manage this stern, proud man. Nor did he appear to suspect his aunt’s grandest design, which was to hook him thoroughly and permanently.
“Now, we must decide on the modiste for Caroline’s presentation gown,” Lady Wallingford said. “I have heard that there is a Madame Tissot who is a wonder, and also that Mrs. Waterman would do.
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