“Very well, Roderick. But I must say, you’re starting to sound like a clucking hen,” Lucy complained with a light laugh. “If I feel fearful or fretful, I promise I will send word to your brother’s wife, even if that would make me seem like a ridiculous child.”
Roderick laughed as he knew was her intention but he wasn’t as satisfied as he would like to be. They had reached her brother’s house and he had to take his leave of her. A strong longing to pull her into his arms swept through him. He could almost imagine the sensation of warmth and rightness he would experience if he were to do so. But, of course, he couldn’t do anything so daft on the popular Mayfair street. She might not welcome the intrusion into her personal space; she definitely wouldn’t welcome the gossip that would follow such a rash action.
“I will call upon you as soon as I return to Town,” was all he could say as he bowed over her hand, lingering to place a kiss on the inside of her wrist where her heartbeat fluttered far more wildly than her demeanour allowed for, giving him a sensation that seemed remarkably like hope.
“I wish you every success in your business ventures,” Lucy said in lieu of a farewell, just before she dashed up the front steps, only pausing for a brief wave before stepping through the open doorway with a nod to the attentive servant who had made it so.
Chapter Seventeen
Lucy knew herself to be the greatest simpleton in the realm.
She missed Roderick.
It was beyond ridiculous.
She had gone weeks, months, even years at a time without seeing him in the past, in between visits to his family home, Everleigh. While Viscount Simmons visited his Northcott friends on a fairly regular basis, at least once or twice each year, Roderick hadn’t always been home from school when they would visit.
His absence from Town for a few days should barely be remarked upon, let alone something that would affect her equilibrium. Lucy suspected her heart had involved itself without seeking her permission first. That was the only logical explanation. Not that there was any logic to such a development in all reality, though.
How could she have allowed herself to go soft on Roderick Northcott?
He was far to intelligent. He wouldn’t welcome her gossipy chatter. Well, it mattered little, it wasn’t likely that he had gone soft on her. She had to carry on with her original intentions. She needed to wed. And it ought to be a decision that made sense, not something that stirred up messy emotions. They had already proven they could have fierce disagreements with one another. Roderick wasn’t her match.
Perhaps if she told herself a couple hundred more times she would take the words to heart.
Lucy shook her head as she waited for Caroline’s arrival. She was pacing around the front receiving room of her brother’s townhouse, grateful there was no one there to witness her uncharacteristic behaviour.
She nearly yelped when the butler interrupted her perambulations.
“Mrs. Northcott to see you, Miss,” he said, not revealing whether or not he had noted her pacing.
“Thank you,” she said immediately, turning to welcome the new arrival. “Would you care to take tea before we go?” she asked politely.
“That might be a good idea. Then we can have a comfortable coze before we begin our calls.”
Lucy wasn’t sure if she wanted to have such a cosy chat with her elegant guest, but there was nothing for it but to nod at the butler and gesture toward the settee.
“I have clearly been remiss. I think this is the first time I’ve called here,” Caroline said with a rueful shake of her head. “I know I’ve visited with Isabelle many times, but it seems she has always been the one to come to me. How terribly rude of me.” She laughed lightly. “Apparently the Everleigh effect has rubbed off on me far more than I ever would have expected.”
Lucy laughed too but had to ask. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Surely you’ve noted it. The Northcotts all carry a certain air about them, as though their awareness of their worth has been bred into their bones. Despite Gilbert merely being an Honourable, he carries an air as though he were, well, the heir. The others all have it too. The Everleigh title is such an old one, even though he’s only an Earl, the power that is behind it has obviously affected the entire family. Even me, it would seem.”
Lucy laughed again. “I hadn’t ever thought of it in concrete terms like that, but now that you’ve said it, I can see what you mean. But what does that have to do with whether or not you’ve called on Isabelle?”
Caroline laughed and shrugged. “Apparently I’m too important to call round,” she said with a roll of her eyes, indicating she didn’t actually mean it. “I will have to call again soon and take tea with your sister-in-law.”
Lucy turned the subject after a small nod, not comfortable discussing the fact that she hadn’t told Isabelle exactly why she was remaining home that day. Belle was likely to be a little hurt when she found out Lucy had been making calls with Mrs. Northcott. But she was grateful the other woman realized she could make it up to Belle with a small gesture.
“Who shall we call upon this afternoon?” Lucy asked.
“I thought it would be nice to visit Lady Crossley. Are you friendly with her sister who has made her debut this Season? I’ve forgotten the girl’s name, but she seems pleasant enough. I quite enjoy Lady Crossley’s company when I can find the time. I thought you would too.”
Lucy’s smile widened. “I will enjoy that, thank you. I had actually been meaning to call myself.”
Caroline nodded, smiling politely as the tea cart was rolled in.
Once they were served and sipping their hot beverage, Caroline leaned toward her younger friend. “So, my dear, tell me honestly, how are you? You look well, but it was only a few days ago that you were most displeased with me and my husband.”
