With the server gone, Brina continued. “I’ve thought about all of your concerns, including the headmistress. She won’t be happy about it. I’ll be gentle with her but make her see things my way. I realize I can’t go over and set up an easel and palette for everyone. At first, I’ll use my own and my mother’s since she is out of town and hasn’t painted in years. Anyway, I was hoping the two of you would share your supplies. That will give us four. If I buy another, we’ll have one to share between every two girls.”
Brina stopped and waited for one of them to say something.
“Of course, we’ll be happy to send over our painting materials,” Adeline said with a determined smile. “We’re in the school together and always will be. Whatever needs to be done we will do.”
“Thank you. I’ve received so many flowers recently, I took some of them to the girls. With Mrs. Tallon and her helpers, we gave them a lesson in flowers. We let the girls gently take the petals off some of the blooms and draw the parts of the flowers on their chalkboards. Doingthings like that will help them when they start making flowers to add to dresses, gowns, and capes.”
“What an excellent idea,” Adeline praised. “I’ll see to it my easel and palette are delivered to the school tomorrow.”
“I’ll do the same,” Julia agreed.
“No, not yet. There’s no hurry.” Brina held up her hands. “I must speak to Mrs. Tallon first.”
“You’ll be a good teacher, Brina,” Adeline said softly. “You let us know what to do and when.”
Brina felt compelled to add, “I know it might seem I’m overstepping my boundaries, but I do believe this will be helpful to them in how they choose and blend colors and where to place flowers, beads, and bows. You both have your sons to help keep you busy and content. I need something more to do too.”
“Brina, we want you to find happi—”
“No, don’t,” she said softly, cutting off Julia’s words. She then lifted her chin and saw the tall, handsome young bachelor was still looking at her and smiling. The gaiety everyone was feeling showed on their faces and in their noisy chatter. She had long come to terms with the fact that life had to go on after her husband died, but she had to do more with her life than dress for parties and afternoon strolls in the park. Her life had to have more meaning than attending happy social gatherings like this one, and she was determined it would.
Suddenly feeling stronger, she gave her attention back to her friends. “Don’t even hint that you are feeling sorry for me, Julia.”
“No, I don’t,” she answered earnestly. “You know that wasn’t my intention.”
“That’s how it sounded. I need no one’s sympathy because I’m not unhappy anymore. I have a full life.” Brina gave her a faint, indulging smile. “I know youdon’t understand my need to be of assistance to others. Even the untrainable earl—who I’m determined to make into a better gentleman if it tatters my own reputation.”
Julia reached over and touched Brina’s hand affectionately. “I will help you give them the lessons.”
Brina squeezed her fingertips and smiled. “Never. You are terrible at painting.”
The three friends laughed.
“Wait,” Adeline suddenly whispered. “Don’t either of you glance toward the doorway right now, but I think the Earl of Blacknight just walked into the room.”
Brina’s pulse raced with anticipation. She turned immediately to look at the doorway.
So did Julia.
“I told you not to look,” Adeline grumbled. “Now he will see the three of us staring at him.”
Brina’s hopes plummeted. “No, it’s not him. It’s his younger cousin, Robert. They do favor, but then, all the Browning men are tall, have that thick black hair, and are handsome.”
“Yes,” Julia agreed. “It’s not the earl, but he might as well be. Every young lady in the room is gaping at him. I suppose they are thinking if they can’t have Blacknight, they’ll take his cousin.”
“I really felt strange for a moment when you said his name,” Brina offered, watching how at ease Robert seemed while saying hello to someone. “I wondered how Blacknight could know I was here with so many other parties being held.”
“That’s easy enough,” Julia suggested with a sheepish smile. “He could have followed you. It wouldn’t be the first time a gentleman behaved in such an ungentlemanly manner in order to know where a certain young lady might be on a given night.”
“Or,” Adeline countered, “we could have assumed it was a lucky guess. Lyon says he’s considered lucky with cards.”
“Garrett told me that as well,” Julia injected. “He tells me the earl’s skill is unmatched when playing. Maybe he’s fortunate in everything else too.”
Adeline nodded. “Gentlemen consider it an honor to play with him and against him. In fact, Lyon invited him to join his weekly card game but now that he can’t gamb—” She stopped and her golden-brown eyes zeroed in on Brina’s.
An odd feeling washed over Brina. “Lyon asked him to join his club?”
“Yes. But he won’t be joining. He sent Lyon a note saying it wasn’t a convenient time for him to participate.”
