Isabella clicked her tongue. “My brother claimed he invited Captain Whitaker as a beau for me, but I refuse to be forced intoany agreement, regardless of his wealth. But in truth, I think my brother would be content to simply see me settled with any of the men here. Except for perhaps Mr. Avery. He is, after all, in trade.”
Olivia jerked. What would Isabella think if she knew the truth abouther? “In trade? And that is a negative attribute?”
“Oh my dear, you are delightful!” Isabella threw her head back in a tinkling laugh. She then sobered. “But if we are to be friends, as I dearly hope we will be, I must come forth and tell you the rumor I heard about you.”
“About me?”
Isabella lowered her voice. “One of the ladies believes Aunt invited you as a possible match for George.”
Shocked, Olivia stopped and dropped her hand. “I assure you, that could not be further from the truth.”
“That’s why it was surprising to me to hear she’d argue with him in front of you. And I could understand if you were inclined to consider him; it’s just that some of the other ladies fancy him. So if it is not true, I urge you to keep your distance. Trust me, there are some ladies here you might not want to cross.”
Chapter20
“Except for perhaps Mr.Avery. He is, after all, in trade.”
Olivia could not shake Isabella’s assessment of Lucas Avery. It was too amusing. Now, she spotted him instantly as she entered the drawing room to wait to be called for dinner.
Regardless of the difficult history that had occurred between their families, Olivia was again struck by his appearance. How different it was from the gangly youth she remembered. His dark hair, much darker now than it had been in his youth, curled away from his face, and side whiskers framed high cheekbones. His eyes reminded her of the color of sea glass, and the fact that they were fringed with dark lashes made them all the more striking. His smile, not to mention his manner, was genuine and affable, and he appeared completely at ease with the elite company. MissWainbridge might have begrudged the fact that he was in trade, but he spoke as equals with the gentlemen who most likely did not have to earn a wage.
Even so, she had been avoiding him, and probably would have continued to do so were it not for Mrs. Milton’s impossible request. As indicated, Olivia was seated next to Mr. Avery at dinner. They exchanged cordial initial greetings as the guests were taking theirseats, but he immediately engaged in conversation with Miss Kline, who was seated on his other side. The dinner, like the others, wasservice à la française, and for the first course the servants brought a variety of soups and fish and placed them around the table.
As was customary, the guests served themselves and each other whatever dishes were close, and it was at this point that Mr.Avery turned his attention to her. “Would you care for the artichoke soup?”
She accepted, and he lifted the silver ladle and filled her soup bowl before filling his own.
As she took her first bite of the creamy soup, she was aware that she had his attention, and she attempted to formulate a way to broach the topic of the Cloverton collection.
But he spoke first. “MissKline tells me that the ladies are quite pleased with the arrival of our guest.”
Olivia followed his gaze toward Mr.Romano, who was seated next to MissHaven at the table’s end. He said something she could not quite make out, but MissHaven, MissStanley, and a chaperone tittered in response.
Mr.Avery shook his head. “He definitely seems to charm the ladies. The gentlemen, perhaps not so much. But you know men. We do not care much for competition, and I’m sure not many can compete with a man so adept at capturing the female spirit on canvas.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She lowered her spoon and reached for her glass of water. “There are other ways to charm a lady, to be sure.”
He laughed, took a drink of the brandy in front of him, and returned his glass to the table. “You’re right, of course, but thereinlies the quandary. Most men have no clue of what those other ways are.”
Normally, Olivia would have surmised that his tone bordered on flirtation, but she knew better, for she knew men like him—men whose livelihoods depended upon making people feel comfortable and important. Her own father and uncle excelled at it. It was a hallmark of their profession. Mr.Avery was skilled in the art as well, for she’d observed his interactions with the other ladies. She didn’t believe for a moment that he didn’t know how to use his masculine appeal.
Olivia adjusted the napkin on her lap, and as she did so, she spied Mrs.Milton from the corner of her eye. The sooner she had this behind her, the better she would feel. She pivoted to face Mr.Avery more fully. “I am glad we have been seated next to each other, for I’ve been hoping to speak with you.”
“What about?”
“Well, your business.”
“Shh!” He lowered his voice and leaned closer, a playful twinkle glinting in his expression. “It’s incredibly vulgar to work for a living.”
Olivia could not help but release a little laugh. “I’m aware. MissWainbridge reminded me of that just today.”
“Did she?” He leaned back in his chair. “Does she know of your family’s legacy?”
Olivia shook her head. “No. No one does, except for you and Mrs.Milton. And I must thank you for keeping your knowledge of my family to yourself. Mrs.Milton is adamant that no one should know of it.”
He winced. “Why on earth would she make such a request?”
“As you said, being in trade is nothing short of vulgar.”
