The younger woman had not even the decency to drag her gaze away from Pemberth when she nodded. Lila would have liked to reach across the small space between them. Drool needed wiping off of Miss Lavinia Kemp’s chin.
Pemberth seemed oblivious to the young woman’s attention.
But a dance! And other ladies and gentlemen with which to converse. It wasn’t that Lila did not appreciate her husband’s rather stimulating company, but it had been months since she’d been afforded such an opportunity.
“Would you care to attend?” Pemberth turned to her. “I know—”
“I’d love to!” She turned back to Mrs. Kemp. “And thank you so much for making the drive to invite us. Would you care for some tea?”
9
An Evening Out
“Oh, my lady,”Fran gushed. “I’ve never seen you looking so beautiful.”
Lila studied her reflection in the mirror of her very own chamber.
Although the manor wasn’t exactly teeming with servants, Lila and Fran had managed to oversee a thorough cleaning and refurbishing of the master’s chambers and finally, Fran had been able to unpack all of her trunks.
She’d moved Pemberth into his larger chamber, and that night they’d share it together for the first time.
After the dance.
Feeling far too pleased with life than a lady ought, Lila twirled around in a circle, causing the gown to swirl around her.
She’d worn the gown before, and Fran had done her hair up with equal flair in the past. But she had to agree with her maid… she had a different look to her then before she’d married.
In the short time she’d spent with Pemberth, she’d changed.
If only Arianna could be here with here as well.
Lila had made casual mention a few times to Pemberth that she wished her sister could come and visit her, but it seemed he thought she meant next summer, or even later.
Meanwhile, Lila had no idea what new hell her father might be putting her sister through—without Lila to take the bulk of his criticism.
She jumped when a knock sounded on the adjoining door, suddenly feeling more than a little guilty for… being happy?
How could she be happy until her sister was safe?
“Come in,” she beckoned.
Seeing her husband peer in made her feel better, and yet added to her guilt.
“I hadn’t realized you were so far along with this project.” He seemed hesitant to enter so she crossed the room to take his hand. He wore a black jacket and a ruby waistcoat embroidered with gold thread. His cravat hung untied around his neck and so Lila reached up to perform the task for him. She’d take any excuse to touch this man.
Fran disappeared into the dressing room.
“Of course, some of the furnishings are a little shabby, but they look rather lovely since we’ve had them painted.” She looped off the knot and then gestured toward a cozy loveseat. “This was reupholstered.”
With a somewhat curious but dazed expression, he released her hand to explore her chamber slowly, on his own.
“This is your sister?” He’d stopped before a small miniature she had standing on her bureau.
“Arianna.” She nodded, that guilt returning to settle quite comfortably around her heart again. “I miss her.”
He nodded and then moved along to the large box where she’d always kept her jewelry.
“May I?” he asked before opening it.
