“I enjoyed our time together. I’ll see you tomorrow evening,” she replied before going through the open front door and disappearing from sight.
He felt his lips turn upward as he stood in front of the door before turning and racing back to his carriage. He sat down and tapped on the roof, letting his driver know it was time to head home. If it weren’t for meetings tomorrow to keep him occupied, he knew he wouldn’t be able to keep Harriet off his mind.
Chapter Eight
Harriet slept latethe next morning. Daphne had instructed Rex not to wake her mistress as she knew it was going to be a long day preparing for the upcoming evening at the theater. It was important Harriet look her absolute best as this was her first public appearance with Lord Lucien. They were courting, and Daphne felt it was just a matter of time before the couple was betrothed.
When Harriet did wake, she went into panic mode seeing the heavy drapes still closed, making the room dark. She climbed out of bed and went in search of her maid. Rex was in the dressing room pulling out a sapphire velvet gown she’d yet to wear.
“Good day, Rex,” she said eyeing the maid and then the gown. “Why did you not wake me sooner?”
“Lady Daphne thought you needed the rest, what with the big evening tonight.”
“Is that the dress I’m to wear?”
Rex nodded. “Yes, milady, it is. I’m going to take it downstairs to press.”
“Would you bring me a tray when you go?”
“I already got one from the kitchen. It’s sitting on the table in front of the window. I’ll get a fresh pot of tea as I’m sure the one sitting there is cold,” Rex replied.
“Thank you. I’ll go eat and answer some correspondence before I dress.”
“Very well, milady.”
Harriet walked over to the table to see what the cook had included for her breakfast. She didn’t like to eat heavily on days where they were going out at night. There were some toast, jam, and marmalade, plus butter. Fresh fruit sliced into a bowl also awaited her. She fixed two pieces of toast to her satisfaction, took it and the bowl of fruit and sat down at the writing desk. In moments she was rereading a letter from one of her cousins who had returned from the Continent a couple of weeks back. Harriet wished she could be so lucky as to get such a trip.
Someone knocked on the door. It was her maid with a fresh pot of tea which she placed on the table. Harriet poured a cup for herself and returned to the desk where she’d been sitting. She sat back in the chair and listened. There was a hum of the household working in the background. In here there was quiet. No sound of her maid in one of the other rooms. Perfect for her to enjoy her tea and respond to some correspondence. Tonight was an important one. She and Lucien would be attending their first public affair. An opera. Yes, they’d be with Arthur and Daphne, but they would be there as a couple.
She began to write her letters, mentioning in passing she was seeing the most wonderful man and hoped it turned into something more without mentioning Lucien by name. She wanted to keep it mysterious for now. It would give her a chance to see if she and Lucien became the center of gossip. Harriet knew there were some women who were simply unpleasant and would rather say something mean than to be happy for her. Since she found out from Daphne that Lucien was considered one of the biggest catches of the season, Harriet could only imagine what would be said after their evening. It made her smile at the very thought.
She finished up her letters before sitting back and finishing her cooling tea. So much had happened since she arrived. Noneof this would have happened if her mother had taken on the responsibility because she would find fault with Lucien or any other man. She was thankful every day she had this reprieve from her mother. She loved her dearly, but had she stayed the probability of Lucien pursuing her would have diminished.
Daphne had become her first and only role model. Her cousin’s wife was fearless, not some quiet, unassuming young woman. It was difficult, but Harriet was determined not to be that person this year. If all went the way it seemed to be heading, she and Lucien would be married before the end of the season.
She pushed away from the desk and headed to the dressing area. Hopefully Rex would have returned from pressing her gown and the maid could help her dress for the day.
*
As Harriet enteredthe drawing room that evening, she saw Lucien engaged in conversation with Arthur. The two men glanced in her direction upon hearing the door close behind her. Her eyes met Lucien’s as she neared the mantel.
“Good evening, Harriet,” Arthur said. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replied, turning her attention to Lucien.
“Good evening,” he said taking her hand in his. “Arthur’s right. You look gorgeous this evening.” He kissed the back of her hand.
“Thank you. Thank you both.” She glanced around the room. Neither Daphne nor Sam were in the room.
“Daphne should be here momentarily,” Arthur said. “And Sam is in the small room next door. Evidently, he’s had quite the mouth on him today because there was no one to entertain him, so Daphne thought he didn’t need company for one evening.”
“Perhaps it’s because Lucien is a stranger to him still and he’s showing off his many talents,” Harriet replied with a smile.
“Most likely,” Arthur concurred. “Would you care for a glass of wine while we wait on my wife?”
“A small glass, perhaps,” she replied.
While Arthur went over to the sideboard where various decanters and bottles were kept, Lucien neared. “How did you come to know the music of this woman?”
