“Really?” Brilliance asked, knowing it was ridiculous to let even the thinnest thread of jealousy weave its way into her heart, having known the man only a few hours.
Nevertheless, perhaps because she’d been alone with him or perhaps because they had dined beside one another, she felt a tad proprietary. Moreover, she was curious as to how strong a match the other ladies were willing to make.
“If any gentleman over the course of the next week indicates a desire to form an attachment, will your parents allow you to make your own choice and encourage his courtship?”
“My parents trust Lady Twitchard,” Lady Georgiana said. “Elsewise I wouldn’t be here. Any guest of hers, and a cousin no less who is also a viscount, shall be considered a good catch. Don’t you all agree?”
“I do,” said Miss Newton. “And Lord Hewitt is handsome, to be sure, but I thought Lord Patterson to exhibit the very pinnacle of manly beauty as well as having a perfectly gentle way of speaking.”
Since thispinnaclewas the same blond-haired gentleman who had also caught Martine’s hazel eyes, it occurred to Brilliance how a small country party of eligible single people could quickly devolve into competition and bruised hearts.
“One must guard oneself against forming an attachment too swiftly,” Martine said, “and doing so upon first impressions is the least reliable.”
Brilliance looked at her friend’s slight frown and knew she was hoping to save Lord Patterson for herself. Perhaps she could help with some advice straight from Purity’s lips.
“Surely the gentlemen themselves will disclose in some subtle manner with whom they are forming an affinity, thereby saving an eager female from making an egregiously embarrassing misstep. One would hate to appear overly interested in the wrong direction.”
The others considered such embarrassment and nodded. And then they turned their attention to the impressive art collection on the walls of Lady Twitchard’s long gallery. They strolled in silence for a few minutes.
“It’s a littlespooky,” Miss Newton remarked, indicating the wall lamps that illuminated only circles of floral-patterned paper and parts of dark oil paintings.
That was only the second time Brilliance had heard the word, with both occurrences being that year. It was a perfect term for what it denoted, and she hoped to find an occasion to use it herself.
“The gallery warrants a daytime visit,” came a male voice she recognized at once. A little shiver of excitement raced through her as Lord Hewitt appeared from the gloom at the other end.
“I thought you were in the conservatory,” she said, watching the lamplight flicker on the glass of his spectacles.
All eyes turned to her at such a disclosure of awareness as to a certain guest’s whereabouts.Too late for discretion, she mused, unbothered.
“I was,” he agreed. “Oddly, when I came out, I tripped over an orange.”
The other ladies laughed, but Brilliance peered up at him.
“Did you eat it?” For she wasn’t sure how the fruit might help, but eating it was undoubtedly an integral part of the stage-fright cure.
“I have it in my pocket for later,” he assured her.
“Very good,” she said, waiting expectantly for him to declare his reason for being there.
He turned to Miss Newton. “While it is difficult to see the detail in this light, if you return tomorrow, you will view some Flemish paintings with amazing artistry, mainly in the fabric and lace,” Lord Hewitt promised. “And fruit,” he added, sending Brilliance a quick glance. “As well as the lifelike feathers onhens and partridges. I promise there is nothing in the least frightening.”
“We can only hope there’s time,” Lady Georgiana said. “Tomorrow’s schedule is spanking full, leaving little time for dillydallying between sunrise and sunset.”
“I am sure my cousin will allow all you ladies time for a little dillydallying,” he said. “If you will excuse me, I will let you continue your promenade.”
Just like that, he disappeared through a doorway with the knowledge of someone who had been in the country manor previously and knew his way around.
They all remained silent for a moment, gazing after him. Miss Newton spoke first. “I believe he paid me especially kind attention. Having heard my remark about the atmosphere of this gallery, he went out of his way to reassure me.”
Brilliance didn’t think that to be the case at all, but she wasn’t going to argue. In fact, Lady Georgiana put up a little opposition of her own.
“He was equally attentive to my words about the schedule.”
Martine made atut-tuttingsound. “His lordship was being polite to everyone in similar measure. I don’t think he gave anyone any reason to feel particularly favored. Are we going to continue walking or return downstairs?”
“I think we should return to the drawing room,” said Lady Georgiana. “If the other gentlemen are gathered there, then the remaining ladies are enjoying a lopsided quantity of attention.”
“Indeed,” agreed Miss Newton. Without another word, they hurried back the way they had come.
