She supposed she'd get used to being stared at eventually.
"Because I am not a romantic. I am a realist, and I know that life is not all cream and roses, and that it is better lived not on the affections of others, but on one's own efforts alone. I don't see the point in wasting one's life waiting for a love that may never come."
Lady Evangeline perked up at once. "Oh, but what if..."
"Evie," the duke thundered, causing Mira to spill some tea onto her lap. "Drop this inappropriate topic instantly."
Lady Evangline sat back, sulking.
The duke crossed his arms and returned to his morose stare.
Apollo murmured, "Fascinating."
She must have imagined the brief look of sympathy that flashed through his eyes before he sank back into his armchair.
Lady Evangeline jumped up with a huff, walked up and down, then exclaimed, "How tiresome that Atherton is not here. Really. He invites us all to a Christmas house party and then he's not even here to greet us."
"Indeed," said Lady Randolph, polishing her lorgnette. "We haven't set our eyes on the master of the house yet."
"Well, we all know that when it comes to manners and etiquette, Atherton isn't cut from the usual cloth," Princess Florentina said dryly. "He has been called away on unexpected business and will join us shortly."
Lady Evangeline walked over to the window, pushed the curtain aside, and looked out. "Well, I suppose we all know he has no manners. That's what I like about him, although he can be awfully cutting and cold. Somehow, things always become interesting as soon as he enters the room." Her glance wandered over to Mira again and she gave a decided smirk. "He's irresistible anyhow. You'll see."
Well, wonderful. Next to the terrifying duke interrogating her, and the decadent tulip assessing her, she'd have to deal with a cold marquess without manners.
Suddenly, Lady Evangeline emitted a shriek, startling Apollo out of his semi-sleep. "He's here! He's here! How exciting!"
Indeed, the sound of horses' hooves and the crunch of wheels on the gravel came through the window.
Inexplicably, Mira's heartbeat quickened.
Miss Cullpepper looked faint, and this time, it did not look as though she feigned it.
There was only so much Mira could take. "If I may be excused." She jumped to her feet. "I need to change my dress as I've spilled some tea on it."
Miss Cullpepper looked relieved. "Me too. I'll join you."
"Yes, yes, freshen yourselves and change into something more appropriate for dinner. Then you can meet the marquess." Lady Randolph looked indulgently at Miss Cullpepper. "Put on something pretty, child."
"The child has unexpectedly well-bred manners, considering her background," Princess Florentina remarked to no one in particular after the girls had left.
"Miss Cullpepper has had only the best governesses," Lady Randolph piped up.
"Hm. I did not mean Miss Cullpepper. She is somewhat of the timid sort, is she not? But prettily behaved as well."
"It's all very puzzling,"Miss Cullpepper said on the way up to their rooms, "how everyone is so singularly focused on you. Not that I mind, for that considerably lessens the burden on me, and I much prefer to watch from the sidelines. But their behaviour has been excessively odd."
Mira exhaled a shaky breath. "It was, wasn't it? I thought I'd imagined things. What do you think the reason might be? Do you think they've discovered that I'm not really your companion?"
Miss Cullpepper tilted her head aside thoughtfully. "I thought you did rather well, Mira. Lady Evangeline didn't behave nearly as well as you. I am not certain, but it could be, of course, that they are merely trifling with you. Also, you must stop calling me Miss Cullpepper. I am just Rose to you. I must say I prefer it anyway. We shall be friends, yes?"
Mira gladly agreed.
They arrived in front of Rose's room, which was on the first floor. It was a pretty, medium-sized guest room in blue, with a walnut chest of drawers, a little desk in the corner, a washstand, and a comfortable bed.
"It's a shame they didn't give me a room next to yours," Mira said. "Surely this place is not lacking in guest rooms. Now I have to walk a mile to reach your room to assist you."
Rose frowned. "Another one of those odd things. Show me your room."
