Liza, Mr. Winston, and I sat in our box for a long moment after the performance finished, not speaking, just watching the crush of people make their way out into the halls. Would they see my watercolor? Would they care? Perhaps their eyes would wander over it mindlessly. Perhaps someone—the lady with the ostrich feather hat, for example—might stop and point it out. One, two, three sets of eyes might appreciate the colors. Or maybe no one would. Maybe, like the couple who’d passed us in the hall, all eyes would be otherwise engaged. Either way, a part of me hung for anyone and everyone to see.
And I could not have been happier.
Back home, lanterns welcomed me on either side of the entry door as the carriage rolled to a stop. A servant opened the door, and Mr. Winston descended first.
“Brilliant,” he said as he reached up for my hand. “You were absolutely brilliant tonight.”
“Me?” I took his hand and stepped down. “Mr.I have fallen into the wall and loosed this extraordinary work of art.”
He took a dramatic bow. “You are most welcome.”
“Truly,” I said, forcing him to hear my sincerity. “Thank you. Twice now, you have come to my aid.”
He started to smile. His eyes watched mine.
Liza leaned her head out the window. She looked as though she could barely hold herself upright. “Come, Charlie. My head ispounding,” she whined. “Ros, I do hope you are happy. I wish to never see you again. Good night.”
Mr. Winston grinned and let out a hearty laugh. “Oh, come now, Liza. Just a bit of fun, and it is over now. Are you not happy for your friend? Three items completed off her list, and only seven to go. When Mother hears how much time I’ve spent with the soon-to-be duchess, she’ll change Father’s mind and reinstate my funds, and together we shall find you a husband in London in no time.”
“Thatis good news,” she said.
I paced toward her, climbed a step, and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for being with me. You won’t regret this night.”
She grimaced but smiled despite herself. “You are a rotten friend. But I shall hold you to that, Your Grace.” She puckered her lips, and I leaned my cheek in so she could return the kiss.
Mr. Winston held out his arm, and I took it as I stepped back down from the carriage.
“Visit us tomorrow.” His voice was deep and serious, drawing me in like a comfortable pillow, and there was something new in his gaze. A vulnerable sort of hope, like he’d actually care if I said no.
“I have a dress fitting,” I said. I loved my new dress, but for some reason, trying it on tomorrow was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Forthedress?” Liza asked loudly, leaning out of the carriage.
“Yes.The dress. And whatever else Mama needs from town.”
Mr. Winston looked at Liza. “I could use a few things myself. We could go.”
“You’d take me to town? You hate going into town.”
“Perhaps we might run into Miss Newbury and steal her away for the afternoon.”
I put a hand to my chest and feigned a swoon. “Mr. Winston, are you planning to rescue me from a horrible day of wedding planning?”
He pursed his lips, but I thought I saw them twitch. “We can check off another item from your list while we’re at it.”
“How chivalrous of you.”
“I thought so.”
“I thought we made it clear that Charlie and I should not be a part of that list anymore,” Liza said, looking between us. “Perhaps we could play cards or have a picnic instead.”
Mr. Winston and I groaned at the same time, then immediately looked to each other and laughed.
“What is left on the list?” he whispered conspiratorially, though he likely knew as well as I.
So far, I’d learned to swim—sort of—and I’d followed Ben on an adventure, and, with Mr. Winston’s help, I’d hung my painting in public. Of the seven left, a few were small enough that I could do them on my own, but all of them would be better with friends.
I lowered my voice. “A few options. Recording memories in my journal, painting, eating all the sweets I want in one sitting. We could run away for a day. Or change someone’s life for the better. Though the last two might take some planning.”
