“Miss Harris,” she said, “I believe my stepson is blue deviled. Perhaps you can help me cheer him up.”
The slow smile that spread across Lady Roberts’s face soon worked its way to Javenia’s as they both grinned at each other.
Number three on Javenia’s list had just gotten a bit easier.
Chapter 9
As much as Javenia had hoped to meet with Algenon before returning to town, the occasion never arose. She’d gone out every morning during the time they usually walked the stream, but he’d not been there. The last morning, however, Lord Roberts materialized out of the morning mist as she rose from sending a broken reed downstream. A startled scream tore from her throat at his sudden appearance.
“Good heavens, Miss Harris. It is only I, Lord Roberts.”
She put a hand over her heart. It galloped along as if it was in a steeple race. “For-forgive me, Lord Roberts. I had thought myself all alone. I did not expect to see anyone this early in the morning.”
His steely grey eyebrows rose, a question in his green eyes. Did he know she usually met Algenon at this hour? Was that why he had come instead of his son?
“Why do you choose to walk here?” He glanced at the spot where the wall opened to admit the stream, his hands gripping the end of his expertly carved and well-used wooden cane.
She took a slow breath, willing her heart to calm. The question seemed innocent enough.
“I like how peaceful it is. The lilt of the water in the early morning soothes my soul before the noise of the day chases comfort away.” Today would be especially trying as they packed their carriages and traveled to the noise and chaos of London.
Lord Roberts lifted his chin to the sky and inhaled a deep breath of fresh, cold air. “A wise choice.”
Javenia pulled her pelisse tighter around herself, surprised that His Lordship had not met her pronouncement with derision or contempt. Instead, his shoulders relaxed, his head came level, and he actually smiled at her.
“I shall leave you to your peaceful morning, then.”
He slowly walked back into the morning mist, his steps slow and more labored than she remembered. For the first time, it struck her how much he’d aged these last few years. Not that he was terribly old. She knew many men lived well into their sixties and seventies. But time had added a peppering of grey to his dark hair and a small hitch to his step. Or was that the ache of movement in the early morning? Her parents had often complained about how much harder it was to move after a night of sleep now that they were getting on in years.
When she arrived back at the house, the loading of the carriages was well underway. The noise she dreaded filled Hazelwood. Nessa complained about being left behind by herself and their mother reminded her that great Aunt Marjorie would be coming to stay with her. This caused Nessa to double her objections. Cindy, on the other hand, went about proclaiming her joy at finally being able to have a season, no doubt adding to Nessa’s distress.
The housekeeper approached. “Miss Harris, you’ve a visitor in the east sitting room.”
Excitement filled her limbs before the housekeeper even finished her sentence. Perhaps Algenon had come to the house knowing his father would disrupt their morning meeting. When she entered the small room, however, it was not Algenon.
Livy rose from the well-loved pink sofa, her ever present cane in her left hand. Her porcelain complexion was paler than normal, but her emerald eyes still sparkled with the fierceness Javenia had come to expect from her friend. If it had been Melior, Javenia would have greeted her with a hug, but Livy was not one for public displays of affection, so she only took Livy’s free hand.
“Thank you for coming.” Javenia squeezed Livy’s fingers. “I wish you were coming to Town as well.”
“I am grateful I am not.” Livy smirked. “I have had quite enough of all the meddling matrons and their devious daughters.”
“Devious daughters like me?” Javenia placed her hands under her chin, framing her face.
Livy’s tinkling laugh filled the room. “You are the only one I like. Besides, you are not scheming like the rest.”
A lump formed in Javenia’s throat, and her smile fell. If Livy knew of her list she might retract her statement.
Javenia stepped back and gestured for Livy to sit, taking up the place across from her on the Queen Anne chair.
“Javenia.” Livy drew out her name as she carefully laid her cane across her lap. “You look as though you stole the last biscuit from the kitchens.”
Smoothing her lavender walking dress over her knees, Javenia tried to gather her thoughts. Guilt wormed its way through her. Her scheming wasn’t exactly the same as other women. At least she had some signs that Algenon returned her feelings. Besides, how would the fool man gather the courage to stand up to his father without her giving him a helping hand?
All right, it was more like a hefty push, but she could not sit back and do nothing.
“What have you done?”
Livy’s scrutinizing gaze made Javenia shift in her seat. “Nothing really. I am only trying to be more forthcoming about my”—she cleared her throat— “um …intentions toward a certain gentleman.”
