“If he agrees, I am not opposed,” Felicia replied.
The dowager marchioness interrupted, “Dinner will be served at seven. I suggest we retire to our rooms to rest up and give everyone the chance to prepare. The Farnsworths should be here in time to join us.”
An hour later,Winnie was facing a conundrum.
It was not enough to look and speak with Lex in a room full of people. She wanted to share some time alone with him, but how might she manage it? Felicia and her adjoining rooms, though lovely, afforded her little privacy. Alice had unpacked everything, helped her dress, and pinned her hair in an elegant Grecque coiffure, and now Winnie had nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs and sit about in her room until dinner. But she was not without resources or ingenuity.
I could sneak out and take a walk. No one would be the wiser. And if I should happen, perchance, to run into Lex, there is nothing ill-intentioned about that.
With her hand on the doorknob and quiet as a mouse, she’d nearly slipped from her room when her grandmother’s voice ended her escape.
“Edwina, darling, come sit with me for a few minutes.”
Winnie sighed with frustration, but dutifully heeded Felicia’s request. “Yes, Grandmama.”
“Oh, my dear, you look lovely. Madame Gris outdid herself.” Her grandmother’s eagle eyes surveyed her from head to toe.
Winnie smoothed her white-gloved hands down the empire gown of aqua-green silk. Beneath the bodice was a gold-brocaded band of colorful butterflies replicated on a broader band sewn around the hemline. “Thank you, Grandmama. She is a wonder, isn’t she? Her artistry is incomparable, and she has a wonderful sense of what suits the client best.”
“Yes, Madame Gris is very talented. Edwina, I could not help but notice that the earl is quite taken with you. Do you feel well disposed to his courtship?”
Winnie felt the color rise to her cheeks from her pulse’s quickening. It would do no good to protest when her body betrayed her. “I have already shared my misgivings with you.”
“None of which should stand in the way.”
“As I told you, I fear his interest in me may have more to do with my inheritance than with me. I worry that I may never know the truth and trusting him puts my heart at risk.”
“Nonsense. I recall your father having similar worries when he courted your mother. She had been engaged to another man, and he broke her heart. Your father drove himself crazy agonizing over whether she could love him as much as the man she’d been engaged to. Of course, it was all nonsense, as your mother adored your father with all her heart. You must believe that you are special and worthy of the earl’s love. We will leave our conversation at that and see how this weekend progresses. I will tell you that I am not opposed to this union.”
“You like him?”
“I do. More importantly, I think you do, too.”
“Have I toldyou how much I adore her?” said Lex to Basil as he sank a ball in the pocket of the billiards table.
“Good Lord, at least a hundred times. From what I can see, I think the feeling is reciprocated. Although you should get to the bottom of what caused her to leave the Lyon’s Den so precipitously.”
“Yes, you’re probably right. However, do I really want to remind her of that?”
“You’re considering marrying her. It’s best to put any negativity behind you. It will prove to her that you are considerate of her feelings and want nothing to stand in the way of your courtship.”
Lex considered Basil’s suggestion as he eyed his next shot. “You, as always, give sound advice, my friend.”
“Of course I do,” Basil quipped. A few moments after he sank his next ball, he cleared his throat. “Lex, there is something I need to ask you.”
Lex, who was leaning over the table, cue in hand, looked up and saw Basil’s discomfort. “Ask me anything, my friend.”
“I need to preface this with my sincere hope that you will not consider this presumptuous of me or consider it an infringement on our friendship.”
“My dear Basil, nothing you could possibly do would I ever presume overreaching.”
“It’s about Tess.”
Lex’s brows rose with his confusion. “Tess? Has she offended you in any way? If so, you must forgive her. Her youth, at times, factors into what she says or does. I assure you she means no harm.”
“Oh, no, no. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Tess. In fact, I am seeking your approval to, ah”—Basil clearedhis throat again—“to court her.”
“Court her?” Lex could not hide his shock.
