“A gentleman for you, not those already married,” she said, exasperation in her tone and the set of her shoulders. “Single men are more likely to be drawn to a group of pretty unattached women than married ones.”
Single unattached women were all they or their neighbors had had these last few years. “Are you implying I am more likely to find a husband in the Roberts’ household?”
Her father sputtered on his tea, a real coughing fit taking over. The same linen covered his mouth, but this time it came away stained with his breakfast.
“Heavens no.” Her mother glanced at her father with a furrowed brow. “Are you trying to give your father a fit of apoplexy?”
Javenia crossed her arms. “Might I remind you, Mama, that you were the one that implied that I should visit with the Roberts sisters because I’d not find a husband in my friends’ homes?”
“Just come, Vee,” Nessa whined from the door. “You can argue semantics later.”
She glanced between her parents; her father finally having regained his composure. “I simply want to know what Mama meant by her statement.”
“Fine.” Her mother tossed her linen on the table. “Don’t go. Stay with your father and me. We can discuss how you can help us as we age, since you are so determined to stay single.”
The arrow hit true. Javenia bolted to her feet, her features pinched and her shoulders straight. Her face heated and her nostrils flared. She’d go if only to stop their pestering. When a burning sensation pricked the corners of her eyes, she took a deep breath and willed the hot tears away.
She didn’t bid her parents a good day. She didn’t even look in their direction. She just stormed out after Nessa, fighting for all she was worth to keep her composure.
Life was not fair.
Years of reminders that she needed to marry, and yet they had banned her from marrying the one person who held her heart, even if the fool man didn’t know it.
She clenched her teeth. He probablydidknow it but was too busy flirting with all of England to give it consideration. That was why he’d stayed away so long.
As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she chastised herself. Algenon had been different before his father ordered him away. Quieter and much less flirtatious.
It was amazing what a good whack on the head could do.
She smiled to herself. It had terrified her when Algenon had been attacked by a pair of padfoots at the end of last season, but time had put the experience into perspective. If it took a clubbing to the head to make him see reason, then who was she to argue with Providence?
However, their relationship hadn’t exactly improved or even gone back to what it had once been. Pain still radiated through her when she remembered the day in Reading when she’d caught him kissing another woman. He’d insisted Miss Weston had kissed him, and knowing the woman’s reputation, she could believe it, but it still hurt.
A liveried footman dressed in navy blue and cream paused in the hallway to let them pass, a tray loaded with tea things in his hands. The man was probably headed for the same sitting room. Javenia took hold of her pale yellow skirt, tucking it against herself to move around him. She glanced at the tray and her nose scrunched. There were six cups.
Had Edwina come as well? She certainly hoped not. It was one thing to spend the morning with Phillipa and Charlotte,but Edwina was less than half her age. While well behaved, she doubted a fourteen-year-old would sit through long discussions on fashion and gentlemen. Was it even proper for someone that young to take part in the conversations that were common among their sisters?
Another footman opened the door to the east sitting room, and Javenia’s lips twisted to the side. She thought her sisters would have chosen the west sitting room so the sun wouldn’t be in their eyes. Then again, the chill of November had already taken hold over Kent. A little sunshine might feel nice.
Pastel skirts swished followed by several giggles as Javenia stepped into the room behind her sister. Nessa moved to the rosy-pink settee to her right and only then did she see the tall gentleman with captivating hazel eyes and rusty brown curls.
Her breath caught, her pulse quickened, and her hand inadvertently settled over her chest.
Algenon was home.
The emptiness she’d wrestled with these last four months fled, a familiar rightness warming her from within.
He grinned, his slight dimples making an elusive appearance. His delight at her surprise made her frown. She hated surprises, and he knew it. The twinkle in his eyes was a challenge, a silent question about what she would do next.
Everything within her wished to run to him and throw her arms about his neck. To breathe in his scent and revel in the feel of his secure embrace. She’d missed the comfort she knew existed there.
Then his chin inched up, making him appear far too smug.
She didn’t know why it bothered her so much. Considering the unspoken chasm between them, she had no right to expect anything else. But would it hurt the man to at least show half as much excitement at seeing her as she’d unconsciously exhibited at seeing him?
Probably. His pride might crumble down around his feet at such a display. Heaven forbid Mr. Algenon Roberts should show how he actually felt. He was far better at sallying contrary quips at her. Either that or smothering young women with soppy compliments he didn’t mean. Any young woman, that is, except her.
So she did the only thing she could think of with her mind so muddled by his all too masculine presence. She stuck her nose in the air and turned to leave.
