“Thank you,” I finally managed to say. “I would like that.”
Alec helped me navigate a stilted conversation with Mr. Vanderbilt, making me wonder how I would endure an entire meal at his side.
When it was proper to move away from him, Alec took me to a small group of matronly ladies and reintroduced me, so I could remember their names. Thankfully, they seemed intent upon hearing their own voices, so I wasn’t required to say much. And when I was, Alec ensured that I only needed to talk about things I was comfortable discussing.
Higgins announced supper was ready, so Mr. Vanderbilt found me once again and offered me his arm. As he led me away, I had a moment of panic as I realized we were leaving Alec.
But as I looked back, he was offering his arm to one of the matrons and stayed right behind Mr. Vanderbilt and me—and when we got to the long dining room table, he took the seat beside mine, so I was nestled between him and Mr. Vanderbilt.
“In case you need help flirting,” he said, for my ears alone, as he leaned close for just a moment. “I will be right here.”
My heart fluttered at his comment, but it gave me a boost of confidence to address Mr. Vanderbilt. Two months ago, when I’d first come to the mansion, I had no experience with this sort ofthing. But Alec had taught me a lot, and if I could flirt with him, surely I could flirt with Mr. Vanderbilt.
I had practiced this moment for weeks. I knew exactly which silverware to use, which conversation to laugh at, and which topics to ignore.
And when I didn’t, Alec swooped in to rescue me.
After the meal, the men stayed in the dining room for cigars and brandy while the women moved into the parlor.
Which meant I was alone without Alec’s help.
As we left the dining room, I sent a lingering look to Alec, and he gave me the slightest wink of encouragement.
A young woman walked up beside me, a gentle smile upon her face. We’d been introduced when she had arrived with her parents, but she’d been sitting on the opposite side of the table, and we hadn’t spoken.
Her pretty green eyes crinkled at the corners as she said, “I’m sure you don’t remember my name. I’m Miss Annabelle Wellington.”
“I’m Clara,” I said, relieved that she’d reminded me of her name.
“It can be overwhelming meeting so many new people,” she said with empathy. “We moved to New York three years ago and I still don’t know everyone Mama thinks I should know.”
We followed the other ladies into the hall.
“I don’t know about you,” Annabelle continued, “but I think making new friends is hard. I hope you’ll allow me to be your friend, Miss Hill.”
I finally gave her my full attention. Her offer seemed genuine as she studied me.
“I would like that,” I said with a smile.
“I heard your aunt is planning to take you to England this spring,” she continued. “We are also planning to go. It will be nice to have a friend there.”
My heart warmed with relief. “I’m terrified,” I confided in her.
“As am I. Mama insists we go, but I would rather not.” She glanced back toward the dining room, where the doors were still open, and Alec was standing near Annabelle’s father. “I already know what I want, and it doesn’t include marrying a bankrupt nobleman.”
Was she referring to Alec?
Before I could form a response to her statement, she said, “You and Alec appear to get along well. Did you know him before you moved in with your aunt? He never mentioned you before.”
This I could answer honestly. “No. I met him in October, when I first arrived.”
“October?” she frowned. “And we haven’t been introduced yet?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I glanced back at the dining room and found Alec watching us—but was he looking at me or Annabelle? Was he interested in Annabelle? I hadn’t noticed him paying attention to her since her arrival—though perhaps I had been too preoccupied with myself.
The ladies settled into the parlor in small groups. As I listened to their incessant gossip, I counted down the minutes until the men would join us. I wasn’t sure if I would get a chance to ask Alec about Annabelle, but I would try.
Aunt Maude sat with me while I worked hard to answer questions carefully. She would either stiffen beside me, or nod gently, depending on my performance. When the gentlemen finally arrived, I was exhausted and relieved to have Alec in the room again.
