Leona looked up at him leaning against the carved marble mantelpiece. Her breath stuck strangely in her chest as memories of his kisses poured through her mind. A slight smile kicked up the corners of his mouth as if he could read her thoughts. She felt a warm blush rise up her neck. She turned away, flustered.
“I have an idea, Chrissy. Why don’t you and Miss Benedict talk about it. I’ll wager she’s feeling pretty badly now. She probably expects you to dislike her and order her to go away. She might even be crying.”
Chrissy tilted her head in thought, then nodded. “She does cry at the silliest things.”
“She most likely needs cheering up, not more scolds.”
“And that is what your father would wish you to do,non?”Lady Nevin added.
At the mention of her father, Chrissy looked stricken. “Papa is always kind,” she whispered.
“Oui.He would not wish Miss Benedict needlessly hurt.”
Chrissy fidgeted in her seat, her face reflecting indecision and shyness.
“May I come with you?” offered Maria. “Maybe I can help get you talking together. Remember, I was a governess once. I know how she feels.”
“You do? Oh, would you?”
The hopeful expression that lit Chrissy’s face was nearly comical. Leona struggled against laughter. When she looked at the others, it appeared they also struggled against mirth.
In answer, Maria smiled and held out her hand. Eagerly Chrissy took it, and the two of them left the drawing room.
“And if you ladies will excuse me, I’ll go to my room to clean up. We had a rather, ah, interesting morning in the village,” Mr. Fitzhugh said, glancing down wryly at his dusty clothes.
Leona noted his soiled clothing with surprise. She’d not noticed it before, nor the wild disarray of his hair so out of character for Mr. Fitzhugh. Then again, she hadn’t had eyes for anyone save Nigel since he walked into the library.
It was then she remembered Deveraux’s hand. “What did you do to your hand? Is it cut badly?”
“Cut? What cut? Let me see,” demanded Lady Nevin rising from her chair.
“It is nothing, Maman. Merely a scrape.”
“And a graze may not get infected? Give me your hand.” She took his hand in hers, clucking her tongue over the dirty handkerchief bound about it. “Imbecile! Look at this dirt! Lucy, tell Purboy to fetch a basin of water and my basket.” She glanced over at her daughter. “And afterward, you go upstairs to change. Remember, we are to have guests soon.”
“Perhaps I should go as well?—”
“Is Miss Leonard squeamish?” Deveraux asked with a teasing smile.
“No, it’s just. . .”
“Please stay,” he asked her seriously.
Leona blushed and agreed.
Lady Nevin looked from one to the other, well pleased with what she saw. “Come,ici.Sit on the couch that I might tend you better.” She led him over to sit next to Leona. Deveraux laughed.
“Maman, you are not at all subtle.”
She shrugged. “Subtle,bah!It is the mistake of the young. When one gets old, one no longer has the time for subtleties. There you are, Purboy. Bring those here,s'il vous plait.” From outside the Castle came the sounds of a carriage approaching.
Deveraux cocked his head, listening. The Sharplys! How could he have forgotten they were due to arrive today! Too late, he understood how his invitation to them would appear to Leona. “Damnation!” he swore, yanking his hand out of the basin of water. “I didn’t expect them so soon.”
“Nigel! Put your hand back in the water. Purboy will show them in.”
His eyes anxiously sought Leona’s. “I didn’t mean—I meant to explain?—”
“Wonderful place. Wonderful atmosphere,” said a new voice from the entrance hall.
