“We could go by carriage.”
He laughed, then opened his mouth to say something else, when Lady Lillian came close.
“Lord Perish, would you show me around the estate? Not too far, mind you, perhaps through the gardens, until the next entertainment begins.”
He hesitated before turning to the lady.
“Yes, of course. It is my pleasure.” Surprisingly, he addressed Delia. “Would you care to join us? Your knowledge of the gardens would be most welcome.”
She hadn’t expected that. About to say yes despite the odd number, Lady Lillian’s icy gaze warned her away.
“Thank you, but I shall decline. I have spoken enough about plants today.”
Taking her leave, Delia wished she was the one going outside with Lord Perish. After stowing her sketches, she went to one of the back windows on the second floor, childishly trying to spy on the couple but to no avail. They were in some hidden spot, out of sight of the house.
Trying not to think of what they might be doing, she ran into Lord Devenport on the landing.
“Do you know anything about the plants of the Americas?”
They passed a pleasant ten minutes strolling Lady Osbourne’s upstairs gallery of paintings and talking aboutmaizeand something he called a lupin flower, which Delia longed to see.
Eventually, they headed downstairs for charades. Entering the front hall, she overheard Lady Lillian’s voice echoing from the passageway, speaking to someone out of sight.
“Dreadfully dull. The only thing that made it bearable was her skipping the most boring flower of all, thewallflower. And that’s the one she knows best.”
Delia stifled a gasp.
Then a man laughed.Lord Perish?
Lord Devenport had obviously heard, too, for he appeared embarrassed. Without delay, they entered the drawing room. Delia couldn’t deny she was crushed.
Had they all thought her boring?
When Lord Perish entered, he was alone. Delia could hardly look at him, even when he sat beside her.
“Another evening of fun.”
She nodded.
“Shall we partner tonight?”
Lady Lillian entered the room, giving Delia a long look.
“Wouldn’t you rather be on a team with your lady-friend?” Delia asked. “I had an engaging conversation with Lord Devenport earlier, and I shall be his partner tonight.”
Rising, she took a seat beside the unsuspecting gentleman. Even if Lord Devenport didn’t want her, he was going to have her.
She couldn’t help glancing over at Lord Perish, who observed her with a scowl until Lady Lillian claimed the vacant seat, blocking her view.
Chapter Eleven
Something — or someone — had put a bee in Lady Delia’s bonnet. Rupert couldn’t get near her the previous evening. She was prickly as a gooseberry. Luckily, he caught her at breakfast.
“Are you ready for your first lesson?”
Her mouth opened with surprise before she snapped it shut and stirred her tea.
After nodding to a few other guests, he took the seat beside her. “Don’t tell me you forgot.”
