“Oh, no. I doubt I will know anyone. But I am looking forward to meeting all who would be the marquess and marchioness’s guests. They will only be strangers to me until they become my friends. Aristotle observed we have three types of friends, be it for utility, pleasure, or good. Just look at us. I did not know you before attending the Belinda School for Curious Ladies because I hadn’t yet met Elsbeth or any of the other ladies who attend. Though I had met Mademoiselle Lissette. She is going to be a new student this term and has attended a few lectures and some teas.” At the raised brows of Lady Sommerset, she had to assume she had wandered off topic again and closed her mouth quickly before commenting about one of the lectures they had attended.
“I am quite sure you will enjoy your time here.” Lord Sommerset took up the conversation. “I have been a friend of Lord Harewood for near on ten years now and have enjoyed his family’s hospitality many times. At the very least, you already know Lady Rose.”
“Yes, of course. I also know Lord Harewood from our brief conversation at the Stocktons’ ball.”
“You conversed with Lord Harewood?” Lady Sommerset seemed hard-pressed to keep herself from smiling.
Not sure why that was, but also having become familiar with the lady looking as if she knew far more than others, Dory answered honestly. “Yes, I did. If I remember correctly, it was about self-reflection and muddles.” She paused, fearing she had it wrong. “Or maybe it was about colors and muddles.” She nodded, more confident that had been it. “Yes, colors and muddles, though I do think, Lady Sommerset, your expertise would have quite kept us from making a muddle of our discussion on colors.”
Grinning happily that she’d tied it all together nicely, she gauged her chaperones’ reactions. Lord Sommerset chuckled. His wife grinned before responding. “I have no doubt I would have been happy to be part of your dialogue.”
The coach came to a halt and with it, the bubbles in her stomach felt as if they popped. Her first house party! She looked forward to it with both excitement and trepidation. Without her classmates in attendance, her old fears came back, but she shook them off. If Lord Harewood could follow her conversation, then surely, others at the party would, and she wouldn’t be left by herself as she had so often in the past.
As Lord Sommerset stepped out before helping his wife to alight, Dory studied the footman standing nearby. His clothing was impeccable and his face didn’t reveal any of his thoughts. If only she could be like that.
Quickly, she brushed out the skirts of her emerald-green traveling dress and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Maybe this week, she would fall in love, or at the very least find a new friend. Trying to keep her mind on the many positive experiences upon which she was about to embark, she moved forward and carefully descended the coach with the footman’s help.
“Lady Dorothea?” Lord Sommerset held out his other arm for her and she blushed. To be escorted by him into his friends’ home was very thoughtful.
She gracefully took his arm, and they strode forward. They were halfway up the many steps when the doors opened and Lord Harewood stepped out. He was dressed in gray pantaloons, a white shirt, and his ever-present black tailcoat. In the sunlight, she noticed his hair appeared a very dark brown with deep-auburn strands that caught the sun and he’d trimmed his sideburns somewhat shorter since last she’d seen him. As the doors behind him closed, he was framed in the tan arch. He cut quite a fine figure standing there. She’d never noticed that about him before. But she had noticed his height, and standing there above them as they drew nearer just made him seem a giant.
“It’s about time you arrived, Sommerset. Do you know how terribly boring it is to be here without you nearby to insult?”
Lord Sommerset, rather than looking offended, laughed. “I came as soon as I was able, always cognizant of how much you depend upon my presence.”
Their host snickered. “And you sayIhave the large ego?”
They reached the top step and Lord Harewood turned to Lady Sommerset. “It is always a pleasure to see you, my lady.”
“I do doubt that, but I will take your statement as a welcome.”
Not a little surprised by the insults taken in such comradery, Dory wasn’t sure how she should respond.
Lord Harewood finally turned to greet her. His lips lifted in that elusive smile of his. “Lady Dorothea. What a surprise. I did not know you’d be traveling in such sad company.”
It was on her tongue to defend her hosts, but as that seemed far too serious for the levity of their welcome, she refrained. “Oh, dear. And here they had come so highly recommended as chaperones.”
His lips twitched. “I must then doubt the source of their recommendation. But have no fear, you will be well taken care of while at Sunnydale.”
She grinned, happy to have pleased him. “Thank you, Lord Harewood. You are ever gracious.”
That elicited a snort from Lord Sommerset. “We best make our entrance before Lady Dorothea believes anything you say, Harewood. I’m sure Lady Enderly has heard of our arrival and is cooling her heels just inside.”
Lord Harewood opened his arm to them all, and as they approached the doors, they opened once more to the very lady herself.
Lady Enderly held her hands out to Lord Sommerset. “There you are, Andrew. It’s so lovely to have you here again and this time as a married man.” As she smiled happily at the earl, Dory couldn’t help noticing Harewood looking at the ceiling as if he were asking for patience from a divine power. Did he truly find his mother’s statements of little worth, or was he simply pretending this was all a bore when it was obvious he was very pleased to have his friend near? Maybe she could watch his behavior this week, like Sophie said he did others, and then she could understand him better.
When Lady Enderly had finished welcoming Lady Sommerset, she finally turned to her. “Lady Dorothea. I’m very pleased you could join us. Rose is quite excited you are here.”
Despite the kind words and smile, she could tell the marchioness was not as happy to see her as she claimed. Immediately worried that it might have to do with her mother’s reputation, she vowed to be the epitome of a lady while at Sunnydale. “I’m quite honored that Lady Rose wished my company.”
“Did I hear my name?” The lady in question descended the grand staircase in anything but a grand manner.
“Rose, do slow your step. You could fall.” Lady Enderly’s admonishment fell on deaf ears as Lady Rose seemed to practically run down to greet them.
Dory had the feeling if Lady Enderly wasn’t present that Rose would either use the railing to slide down or at the very least jump to the floor from the third-to-last step. As it was, her feet barely touched the final stair.
Lady Rose strode directly to Dory and grasped her hands. “I’m so pleased you accepted my invitation. We have so much to discuss.”
