Regardless, the less time David spent with Annabelle in future, the better. Starting with an end to the lessons.
Besides, Annabelle had said a few things recently that made him think the lessons were already coming to an end soon. They’d planned to finish before the weddings, and the weddings were in only a few days’ time. Whatever else he needed to learn, perhaps she could include in this last day’s lesson. Speed things up. Regardless, he’d rather take his chances on being uneducated in Society than to spend another excruciating day in Annabelle’s company, wanting to kiss her again but knowing he could not.
He stepped into the salon and stopped short. Marianne was there, pacing in front of the fireplace. She had a worried look on her face.
“David,” came Annabelle’s startled voice. His gaze swung toward the window where Annabelle was sitting on the settee, fidgeting with a handkerchief.
He frowned. “My apologies for interrupting, ladies. Were you not expecting me?”
“Oh, er, yes, of course,” Annabelle hastened to say, standing. “It’s just that…I didn’t realize it was already ten.”
Marianne turned toward David and he could read the worry in her bright blue eyes. “How doyouthink I should handle it, David?”
David frowned. “Handle what?” He had no earthly idea what they were talking about.
Annabelle stood and made her way over to Marianne. She wrapped an arm across Marianne’s shoulders. “I’m certain your brother isn’t interested in such inane details.”
“Inane?” Marianne replied, clearly still upset. “But I have no idea how I’m going to tell Julianna that you’ve invited Lord Murdock to her wedding. She won’t be pleased.”
David frowned. “Lady Julianna and Lord Murdock breaking off their wedding was done so with animosity, I take it.”
“Yes,” Marianne replied. “Awful animosity. I remembered Julianna telling me at Christmastide that Lord Murdock hadn’t taken it well, but to be honest, I’d forgotten the details. When I spoke to Julianna yesterday, thinking our dear Annabelle here might be developing an affection for Lord Murdock, Julianna reminded me of all the awful things—”
“Now, now, Marianne,” Annabelle said, patting Marianne on the back and ushering her toward the salon door. “I told you.I’llhandle it. In fact, I’ll pay a call to Lady Julianna this afternoon and explain everything. If you’ll excuse us, your brother and I must begin our lesson. Mama will be here any moment. I’ll walk you to the front door.”
David’s brows shot up, but he watched in fascinated silence as Annabelle ushered his sister out of the salon. Clearly Annabelle didn’t want him to hear any more of Marianne’s concerns.Thatwas curious.
Marianne nodded and dutifully made her way to the door. David waved to his sister, and she waved back, but the look of apprehension remained on her face as she and Annabelle slipped into the foyer.
Several minutes later, Annabelle came hurrying back into the room. She seemed slightly flustered but cleared her throat and smoothed a hand down her bright yellow skirts.
“Marianne seemed upset,” David offered, wondering how much Annabelle would give away.
“No, no. She’s fine. It will be fine,” Annabelle replied, in a voice that was too loud and too bright. “I’ll speak to Lady Julianna myself. Nothing to worry about. Now, shall we begin?” She glanced around as if looking for something.
David arched a brow and leaned back against the nearby wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “Why do I have the distinct impression you don’t want to discuss this subject with me?”
Annabelle pushed a lock of blond hair behind her ear. She did not meet his gaze. “I’m glad to hear your impression is distinct, because that’s precisely the case. Idon’twant to discuss the subject with you.”
David had to smile. He shook his head. “Very well. What you do and whom you bring to the wedding is your affair. But I want you to know that I think it’s best if today is our last lesson.”
Annabelle’s head snapped to face him. Surprise flashed through her eyes. “Last lesson?”
“Yes,” David replied with a firm nod. “I think it’s for the best. Besides, I believe you said there was not much more to learn.”
Annabelle appeared to contemplate the matter for a moment. “There are endless things to learn, but I suppose we can make this the last lesson. If that’s what you prefer,” she finished softly.
“I do,” he said, nodding. It took everything in him to stop himself from asking if it were true that she had was developing an ‘affection’ for Murdock as Marianne had said, but instead, he expelled his breath and simply said, “Now, what are we studying today?”
Annabelle straightened her shoulders and seemed to shake off whatever fluster was left from her conversation with Marianne. “Mama suggested we discuss correct behavior while traveling.”
David bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. “Ah, because I’ll be traveling to the wedding next week.”
“Precisely.” Annabelle glanced toward the door. “I cannot think what could be keeping Mama this morning. She told me at breakfast she’d be here on the spot of ten.”
“Would you like me to ask after her?” David offered, starting toward the door.
“No. No. Most likely it’s nothing and she’ll be here momentarily. Let’s go ahead and get started.”
