She was right. He had been rather rakishly wanting to get her outside where they could have some privacy, not taking his gaze from her gold-clad, fairylike form long enough to see that others were enjoying syllabub and sherry out of doors.
He relaxed, glad she wouldn’t suddenly realize he had maneuvered her into an unsavory situation like a predator.
“There you are!” Alethia said as if he had done that very thing and completed the dastardly deed behind a hedgerow.
“Come now, Cousin. We are simply enjoying this splendid July night. You cannot fault us for joining our fellow guests out of doors.”
Alethia frowned and then understanding dawned. “No, of course not! I only meant I was glad to find you. I’ve had news from London that affects all of us.”
Chapter Thirteen
“What has happened?” Brilliance asked.
Lady Twitchard held up her hand, showing more than one unsealed message. “Another cholera outbreak.”
Brilliance gasped, her thoughts turning to her loved ones.
“Do not worry. Although it is a terrible thing regardless of whom it affects, this outbreak is on the east side of the city. I have already heard from your family, along with messages from nearly every female guest’s parent or guardian. While each of your situations is different, Lord and Lady Diamond have asked that you remain with me while they pack up their home and assist your siblings as they pack theirs. Everyone who is able to do so is fleeing London for their country homes, and as soon as your parents are established at Oak Hall —”
“That’s Oak Grove Hall, my lady,” Brilliance corrected her. “In Derby.”
“Yes, exactly. When they are in residence at your family’s country estate, then they will send for you.” Addressing her cousin, Lady Twitchard added, “Your mother and stepfather are also well.”
Brilliance glanced at Lord Hewitt, who was silently watching. “Then this isn’t my final night, after all,” she said.
His visage in the light of the outside lamps gave nothing away. While she was not at all pleased that cholera was ravaging the city, she hoped Lord Hewitt was not unhappy to learn he hadn’t yet seen the last of her.
“Indeed not,” Lady Twitchard said. “You may stay as long as you need. I must go speak with the rest of my guests. Two other young ladies will also be staying, and the rest are going directly to their family’s manorial estates.”
“And what of the gentlemen?” Brilliance asked, keeping her gaze on Lord Hewitt.
Her ladyship was already walking away from them, but she halted. “No male guests are staying on after tomorrow. They have no need. All of them can go to their country estates without waiting for family or chaperones.”
Then Lady Twitchard moved on to the next group.
“A strange coincidence,” Brilliance said. “Don’t you think?”
“How so?” Lord Hewitt asked, snagging them each a glass of syllabub from a passing footman.
Brilliance felt a pang of guilt at the thought of enjoying something as frivolous as the frothy, old-fashioned drink when people were suffering. But it was not the first outbreak in her lifetime, and it most certainly would not be the last. Londoners, indeed all her fellow countrymen, were made of strong stuff. Whatever happened in the next few weeks, it would not break their spirit. Of that she was certain.
Finally, she took a long draught and then answered him.
“Given what we were discussing earlier while dancing. Do you recall, about returning to London and how I hoped to see you there?”
He nodded. “You have cream on your upper lip.”
“Do I?” She licked across it in a quick sweep despite knowing good manners dictated she find her handkerchief and wipe it away properly.
“It looks delicious,” he added, his voice dropping lower.
She smiled and sighed. “It is. Try yours.”
“I meant your upper lip,” he said.
Her breath caught, and they enjoyed a long look, which she doubted she would ever forget. And still, she would love to invite him to try it, to lick it from her lip if at all possible.
Thus, she took another sip and watched him drink his.
