Malcolm stopped short and sighed. What had he been thinking? It wasn’t as though he didn’t have a carriage of his own. He had several, in fact. Why had he accepted a ride with the Bracegirdles? Of course, when he had, Malcolm hadn’t anticipated wishing to escape.
Turning on his heel, he did the only thing he could do and wandered off.
*
Curse that wretched man! Rosanna fought a scowl that kept trying to make itself known. The afternoon had been lovely before Mr. Tate’s interference. Despite being surrounded by people, she could only think of their conversation.
Another beautiful day ruined by Mr. Tate.
But even Rosanna felt like scoffing at herself for such a thought. Mr. Malcolm Tate was not a bad man, and though he did vex her greatly, she couldn’t deny he was correct. Despite how much he drove her to distraction, that frustration ventured too easily into admiration when she wasn’t looking.
He was irritating and intriguing all at once.
Mr. Davis made some witty retort, and Rosanna laughed alongside the others, though she had no idea what had been said. Mrs. Leggatt replied in kind, and the group set to tittering once more. Rosanna struggled to keep her smile in place as her thoughts filled with Mr. Tate.
“I fear I am in desperate need of a drink,” said Rosanna, stepping away.
“Allow me, Miss Leigh,” said Mr. Hutton, moving as though to fetch it for her.
“You are a dear, but I would like to fetch it myself.”
With a few halfhearted attempts to do his gentlemanly duty, Mr. Hutton allowed her to step away. Rosanna gave Mrs. Bracegirdle one final glance, but the lady was deep in conversation with Mrs. Fowler and seemed quite content to be so; thus, Rosanna left Mrs. Bracegirdle to it.
For all that the Chorleys had taken great care to provide plenty of blankets and pillows, many of the party were happily standing and wandering between groups. Straightening her skirts, Rosanna drew in a deep breath as she made as though to walk to the blanket upon which several drinks were arrayed.
Then Katherine appeared before her. “I understand you are organizing a charity concert.”
“Hello to you, too, dear sister,” said Rosanna.
But the young lady didn’t seem to notice the dry delivery of that statement. “Is it true? I overheard Mrs. Wilson speaking about it to Mrs. Rothschild. She said it is to be a musical evening.”
Rosanna stiffened, forcing her expression to remain placid. Though she had anticipated this very conversation, she’d hoped to put it off some days or even weeks—with any luck, after it was too late to make alterations to the schedule. Despite her utter lack of talent, Katherine seemed determined to take part in every musical offering.
“I would like to be of assistance,” said Katherine with all the warmth and feeling of a child reciting her multiplication tables.
“Would you?” Rosanna couldn’t help but ask, for nothing in the young lady’s expression or delivery indicated any joy in the prospect.
“Of course, I would.”
Rosanna allowed a quiet moment to pass before she ventured to speak. There was little hope in this going well, but a young lady could dream, couldn’t she?
Perhaps she would admire Katherine’s utter lack of insecurity, though it seemed to come from a complete inability to see how poorly her playing was perceived rather than confidence in her ability. Just the thought of having to sit through another of her performances had beads of sweat gathering between Rosanna’s shoulder blades.
“That is very kind of you, Katherine, but I have chosen my assistants already, and I do not know if your particular talents will be useful.”
Katherine’s chin lifted, her mouth tightening as she narrowed her eyes at her sister. And then she turned on her heel and strode away with sharp footsteps, her head held high.
Rosanna let out a heavy sigh. For all that Mr. Tate believed her to be a savior to wallflowers, she struggled to maintain even a civil relationship with her sister. Why did Katherine always insist on putting herself forward to play when her skill was so poor? The girl had no instinct for social preservation, and Rosanna could only do what she could for the silly dear.
Katherine was such an odd creature, determined to keep her sisters at arm’s length.
Turning away from the direction she’d been going (as it was the same path Katherine had taken), Rosanna corrected her course and wound between several of the blankets.
Chapter 26
People greeted her as she passed, but the key to remaining free of troubling conversation was to never slow; the moment she did, others expected her to join them. So, Rosanna kept moving, not allowing her feet to pause even a moment.
With her attention fixed on avoiding everyone, Rosanna’s gaze didn’t rest on any one person. A quick meeting of the eyes, and then she’d turn away. It was a difficult balance, for with Mr. Tate wandering the edge, she couldn’t leave the security of the main gathering. Odious man.
