Lord A smiled as if well-pleased. Was he going to pat her on the head next?
She then stood, walked past Lord A and directly to Caleb, much to his surprise and he came to his feet.
“Lord A is correct Mr. Copeland. I sincerely offer an apology that you had to endure my earlier outburst and improper language. None was directed at you, of course, yet you witnessed it just the same and I am sorry if you were in anyway uncomfortable or insulted.”
Lord A gasped. “That is not what I intended.
Lady Lucinda glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, I know.” She then focused on Caleb again. “I hope you can forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive, Lady Lucinda. There are times that we are all vexed by either circumstances or others, and we are human, are we not.”
A small smile tipped the corner of her kissable lips.
“Please, put it from your mind. I found nothing objectionable in what was witnessed earlier. At least, not by you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Copeland,” she demurred, then returned to her seat.
Mouth pinched, Lord A took his seat and if eyes could shoot daggers, Caleb was certain he’d be quite dead.
Fourteen
Just when Lucindadidn’t think she could appreciate and like Mr. Copeland better, he did something that took her totally by surprise. She’d hoped he’d accept her apology because it wasn’t well done of her to behave in such a manner, but Lord A had vexed her beyond the point of being able to guard her tongue. Instead, Mr. Copeland understood, unlike the other gentlemen in the room and, outside of Lord I, was the only one who didn’t treat her like a child or speak at her as if she had feathers for brains.
Three and a half days, that is all she needed to endure. While she would be happy to see all the lords take their leave, her heart wasn’t so eager for Mr. Copeland to do so.
Maybe she could suggest to her grandmother that perhaps the sisters Tilson extend their visit, to spend more time with her of course. If that were the case, then Mr. Copeland wouldn’t leave either since he was their escort.
Yes, that was exactly what Lucinda would do, then she could have more time with him without the interference of others. Well, other than her family, as they would be returning home, but Lucinda could deal with them well enough.
“For our game this afternoon, we are going to playThe Aviary,” Lady Joanna announced with glee. “I will be the Birdman.”
The gentlemen shared a look and a few groaned. It was a game for when there were equal numbers of men and women.
“We are going to change it a bit, however.”
After the rules were explained, Lady Lucinda whispered her new favorite bird and took her seat, then waited for the others to do so.
“We will only be pleading a heart and telling a secret,” Lady Joanna announced. “Here are the birds who have been listed.” After she read through, she glanced about the room. “Who wishes to pledge their heart to the canary?”
Lord I stood.
“That would be my sister, Lady Priscilla.”
He crossed the room and knelt before her and proclaimed himself, then returned to his seat.
Lady Joanna then read through the names of other birds, to which nobody responded. “Who wishes to pledge their heart to the mourning dove?”
In a blink, each gentleman was on his feet, save Lord I and Mr. Copeland. Lucinda also stood.
“I know for certain that Lady Lucinda favors that bird,” one of them insisted.
“I did at one time,” she answered, much to their surprise. Another has taken its place.”
“If not Lady Lucinda, then who is the mourning dove?”
“Mr. Copeland,” Lady Joanna laughed.
“I’m not pledging my heart to him,” someone said as each gentleman took their seat. They were refusing to play by the rules but Lucinda crossed the room and pledged her heart to Mr. Copeland. She had no idea if that was truly his favorite bird or chose it simply because of their discussion the evening before.
