Paling, Miss Newton made a face, and Lady Georgiana appeared downright annoyed.
“Why would you mention vulgarities when we are about to dine?” she asked. “And why would you insinuate, even in jest, that his lordship would have any such thing in his garden?”
Had she insulted him?Brilliance was ready to apologize, but his expression was amused, not angry.
“I tell you what, Lady Brilliance,” Lord Hewitt said, finally addressing her directly and stepping closer so the others couldnot see his face, “I think we should go right outside and see if the view suits you.”
And then, to her delight, he winked before placing her arm on his. She sighed. It was so very nice to be touching him again and to be touched by him.
“How wise of you,” she said, “although I confess that I don’t give a fig about seeing the sights from your terrace. It is the company that brought me here today.”
He put his free hand over his heart. “How kind of you to say.”
That earned her a dagger-sharp look from Lady Georgiana.
But Miss Newton managed to get in front of Lord Hewitt. “Naturally, it is your company that brought me here, too, my lord.”
“So not merely my terraced lawn and pretty gardens?”
Miss Newton laughed as if he’d said the funniest thing. Brilliance thought both girls were addlepated. They hadn’t behaved nearly so strangely when there were more gentlemen around. It would seem the scarcity was bringing out their competitive nature.
What a pity for them that she had already kissed him!
A naughty thought, but true nonetheless. Brilliance didn’t worry for an instant that they could usurp her in his affections. After all, he had already told her she was the loveliest woman at the country party, and they were no prettier than they had been all week. Besides, not that she thought Lord Hewitt cared, but she had heard men greatly appreciated the sizable dowry of an earl’s daughter.
Sometimes, it was simply good to be Brilliance Diamond.
And then they stepped out the rear of his house, and she exclaimed at its beauty.
“Why, how clever of you to have both cultivated and natural gardens,” she said.
“It makes it interesting, to be sure,” he said. “Which do you prefer?”
Brilliance looked at the various elements, the tidy rose garden, the soaring arbors, the wildflowers in clumped displays interspersed with fountains and birdbaths. And topiaries grander even than Lady Twitchard’s.
“The harmony makes it difficult to choose,” she said, “but the wildflowers certainly hold their own. I suppose they speak to my own nature, the part that exasperates those who wish I would behave predictably.”
Silence met her words until Lady Georgiana made a sound of exasperation and spoke up.
“I don’t mind saying I prefer the fragrant roses. They are the perfect floral embodiment of England, after all.”
Miss Newton agreed, “Besides, I cannot tell the difference between a wildflower and a weed, but I always know a rose.”
Brilliance rolled her eyes.Drivel! Could they not for one moment say something original or have a unique thought?
Lady Twitchard spoke up. “I, also, think it brave to blend the two. Some will say it is an unforgivable juxtaposition. For my preference, I wouldn’t have the courage to let my gardens be natural, not even in the smallest part.”
Brilliance laughed. “That’s peculiar, isn’t it? Worrying over whether nature is too natural.”
Lady Twitchard laughed, too, and they dropped the subject.
Lord Hewitt drew out a chair for his cousin while a footman seated the rest of them at a round, white rattan table. They had cold chicken and ham sandwiches followed by freshly baked lemon cookies.
“Your cook knows her way around the kitchen,” Brilliance said, trying out the term.
“Thank you,” Lord Hewitt said. “I will pass on your praises to her.”
“On the house tour,” she continued, “we shall see if your housekeeper knows her way around the bedroom.”
