Curses, she thought as she dragged her gaze upward.
“How good to see you all,” Harriet said as she joined them.
Harriet glanced over her shoulder to where Viscount Garland had paused to greet Bolton, Phoebe’s husband.
Frances’ cheeks heated with embarrassment at what the viscount must think of her after the house party, but she forced herself to look him in the eye as he joined them. “G-good afternoon.”
“Miss Melbourne. Mrs. Melbourne. How good to see you both.” His genuine pleasure helped to ease Frances’ nerves. Perhaps he didn’t hold her behavior against her.
She’d seen him once or twice since then but had found each encounter uncomfortable. However, if he was willing to put the past behind them, she should do the same.
She cleared her throat, hoping she could manage a sentence or two. “Do you have exciting plans for the holiday?”
Both Harriet and her mother looked at her in surprise, but Frances kept her attention on the viscount. He truly was a kind man, something he’d proven numerous times to Harriet and Frances.
“The highlight will be the Christmas ball, I do believe,” he said with a smile.
“I’m so pleased you’re coming.” Frances nearly surprised herself with another coherent statement and hid a smile at the burst of pleasure it brought.
The small amount of composure she felt was swept away in an instant when Thomas entered the dining room. Her mind went blank at the unexpected sight of him.
Garland followed her gaze to see Thomas walking toward them. “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of inviting Mr. Sinclair to aid us. I thought the more help we had the better.”
Frances nodded, but that was as much of a response as she could offer. Her focus held on Thomas.
He looked around with interest, looking wonderful in a brown wool suit with cheeks ruddy from the chilly weather that had descended on London. His rugged handsomeness made everyone else pale in comparison.
Yet his fine looks only made her doubt that he could possibly be interested in her despite what she’d previously thought.
Then those blue eyes locked on her, and he strode toward her as if no one else in the room mattered.
“Good afternoon, Miss Melbourne.”
A rush of longing lodged in her throat. And stayed there. “M-mr. S-sinclair.” Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment even as her gaze latched onto the floor. What was wrong with her that she couldn’t speak like an intelligent person at times?
He greeted the others then shifted so he stood at her side instead of before her. “It’s good to see you again, Miss Melbourne. I hope you don’t mind that Garland invited me to help.”
Her breath released in a rush when he looked elsewhere, taking the pressure from her. “Not at all,” she managed, though her cheeks had yet to cool.
“It’s a fine idea to include a token for the children.” He looked at her, and this time her entire body heated, not just her cheeks. “I admire you and the other league members for aiding the less fortunate with the ball and the gifts.”
She shifted her gaze to Harriet who stood a short distance away, hoping that would allow her to respond. “Christmas is the perfect time to do so.”
“It is, indeed. Your efforts will undoubtedly raise awareness for other workhouses as well. I find it fascinating to think that you toured one.”
The admiration in his tone had her looking at him in surprise. His sincere expression made her heart pound in response.
“You are truly a special person, Miss Melbourne.”
“T-thank you.” She shook her head, trying to free herself from the spell he seemed to have cast over her. “Seeing the p-place for ourselves convinced us all that more needed to be done.”
“Many would think that, but few would act on it,” he countered.
Frances looked away, the moment too much for her to process. Thomas’s esteem was more than she could’ve hoped for. Might it lead to more?
“Now then.” He rubbed his hands together as if in anticipation. “What is our first task?”
Me. That was what came to mind. She wanted nothing more than to sit by his side and visit about everything and nothing. To come to know this man better and confirm that what she felt for him was real. And determine whether he might feel the same about her.
