“Delicious, is it not? Try it with the lamb.” Papa passed the little plate to Graham, who took it in his wide hand. “Keep the plate near you, I’ve plenty.”
“Excellent. Thank you,” Graham said, catching my gaze. The smile he gave me was nothing short of taunting, as though he wanted to prove that nothing I said or did bothered him in the least.
Well. We’d disprove that, would we not?
“I imagine your mother was not pleased to hear your excuses, Everett,” Papa said. “Were you able to see her at all before you turned back?”
“For all of seven hours, sir. And no”—he stifled a laugh—“she was not pleased, to say the least. But I shall return directly.”
Papa turned his attention to me. “I always forget how quiet the streets become as Society retreats. Don’t you, Anna?”
“Indeed,” I agreed.
Our home had been bustling with callers all Season, Mr. Lennox regularly among them. A few suitors had quickly met with Papa’s disapproval and were promptly discouraged from returning. Others found worthy matches elsewhere, and I could scarcely remember their faces. The remaining had sent flowers, taken me on rides, or escorted me to dinner parties. From their numbers, I had free rein to choose. Unfortunately, I had chosen poorly.
“Although I do not miss entertaining,” I added. “I fear I am still recovering from a near constant rotation of new faces and the latest news of who matched with whom. To say nothing of late nights and dinner parties. I daresay, I am envious of those who are retreating from Town.”I forced a little laugh, measuring Papa’s reaction.
Papa became intent upon his plate. “I have not seen Mr. Lennox come to call in several days. Has he quit Town?”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. How I wished I could cut all ties to that name. To be so openly pursued by a man who’d already promised his hand to another ... Things had advanced so far, my own father had started to wonder about his intentions. But admitting that I’d been charmed and tricked by Mr. Lennox, let alone wounded, was not a topic of conversation I would broach with Graham present. He would likely go home and laugh himself silly. If I could just get Papa away, I could tell him everything, things would settle, and I could try again next Season.
I set my fork across my plate, my appetite lost. “I believe he had business in Bath. In truth, I would dearly love some time away myself.”
“Time away? But we have everything we need right here in London,” Papa said.
“Perhaps a little too much of everything,” I muttered. I waited until his eyes found mine, then added, “And perhaps not enough of you.”
Papa’s innocent smile faltered, and he took a bite of lamb. When he finished chewing, he said, “I have been away more often than usual this past year. Distracted, I’ll admit.”
Knowing Graham sat silently, listening to my every word and judging me behind those light brown eyes was almost unbearable. I looked up from my plate to see him lifting a forkful of lamb slathered in goat cheese. For the slightest second he hesitated, then brought the bite to his lips.
Would he never relent?
Graham frowned down at his plate as he took a deep gulp of wine to chase down the tart flavor of the cheese.
I clasped my hands in my lap. “Careful, Mr. Everett, else we run through the entire cellar tonight.”
Papa stepped gently on my foot. He’d lectured me many times before on acting the part of a lady around his friend. “To where are you dreaming of visiting, Anna?”
A servant poured Graham more wine.
Here was my opportunity. Luckily, I knew my father. He thrived on detail and was more easily swayed by concrete plans, so I met his gaze straight on. “Lyme. A quaint cottage by the sea.”
Papa raised his brow and exchanged a glance with Graham. I wanted to scream at how Papa always looked to the man for support. As thoughhemight have something to say about my liberties.But Graham would never admit what he truly thought. Only what he knew Papa wanted to hear.
“You wish to visit the seaside?” Papa sliced a bite of spinach cake, his eyes faraway and thoughtful. “It has been some time since we have visited Lyme.”
My heart picked up speed, and I turned toward him. “Though it feels like just yesterday. A good book and the sea at our feet. Remember when I was girl, how I’d dig for fossils and bones until the sun fell?” My life had been so full, my heart content. Just the two of us, Papa and me, safe and happy, and the hardest decision I had to make was which color dress to wear.
Papa’s smile warmed, and he reached out and took my hand. “Some of my fondest memories,” he said. “Everett, have you ever visited Lyme?”
Instantly, my face turned cold. Graham’s cheeks had pinked from the wine, and he did not look away when I met his stare. Uninhibited, with his eyes focused so intently uponme, I remembered why half the women from the Season had asked me about him. Why they concocted plans to fall into his path and throw their calling cards at his feet. He was handsome in a natural sort of way, a man who had to do nothing but smile halfway to get attention. It was maddening.
Slowly, he turned his gaze to Papa. “I cannot say that I have, sir. With every respect to Miss Lane, Brighton has outgrown Lyme in popularity in recent years. I daresay the entertainment found there rivals even London.”
I scoffed. The man couldn’t pass up an opportunity to debate me. “How so?”
He set down his wine glass. “For one, the Marine Pavilion and its gardens are second to none. There are yacht races, water parties, the Level, the Steine, a prestigious theater—”
