Eleanor and Charlotte glanced at each other. He sounded sincere, even a touch regretful, but then perhaps he was just an accomplished liar.
Like his cousin.
“Mr. West, that is,thisMr. West,” their mother said with a laugh, indicating Camden West, “is the society’s newest patron. He’s made a large donation to our cause. How can we ever show our appreciation for your generosity, Mr. West?”
Camden West raised an eyebrow at Eleanor. The subtle smirk on his lips said more clearly than words what he wanted in return for his generosity.
Eleanor managed a bland smile, but underneath it she seethed. Why, the man was incorrigible. Did he truly imagine she’d capitulate because he’d donated to the society?
Before anyone else could notice Mr. West’s smirk, he hid it under a gracious smile. “No thanks are necessary, my lady. Just knowing I’ve helped London’s poor is thanks enough.”
Eleanor’s lip curled.Good Lord. Such touching modesty, delivered with such polished charm. Well, liars did tend to be accomplished performers.
Her mother nodded, then looked down at Amelia with a smile. “Who is this?”
Camden West laid a hand on the child’s shoulder. “This young lady is my sister, Amelia West. Amelia, this is Lady Carlisle. You already know Lady Eleanor and Lady Charlotte.”
Eleanor shook her head. It still seemed wrong, somehow, that he should have a sister at all. Or a mother or father, come to that. Surely he’d sprung fully formed from Satan’s skull?
Still, Amelia was the one thing Eleanor admired about Camden West, and it wasn’t the child’s fault her brother was more devil than gentleman. She held out her hand to the little girl, her face relaxing into her first genuine smile all day. “Good afternoon, Amelia. I’m pleased to see you again. Have you finished your sketch of Lady Leicester?”
“Not yet, my lady, but I will. I started a new sketch, instead.”
“Ah well, you must follow where inspiration leads you. Now, I don’t suppose you like flowers, do you?”
Amelia giggled. “Oh yes, I do, especially daisies.”
“Do you indeed?” Eleanor pretended to be surprised. “That is good news, for we’ve a great many flowers here. But you don’t like cakes, do you? I’m afraid you must not, and it’s too bad, for we’ve as many cakes as we do flowers, and someone must eat them.”
Amelia opened her eyes wide at the thought of so many uneaten cakes. “But I do—I do like them!”
“Do you mean to say,” Eleanor asked, raising her eyebrows at the child. “You like to eat flowers? Or cakes?”
Amelia went off into another fit of giggles at this. “How silly. Cakes, of course.”
“How fortunate. I’ve been quite worried about those cakes. Thank goodness you’re here.”
“Before we descend on the cakes,” Lady Catherine said, “We’d like to formally introduce you to the society, Mr. West, and thank you properly. Perhaps you’d care to make a speech? Almost everyone is here now.”
Eleanor tried not to roll her eyes. For pity’s sake. Not a speech.
He held up his hands with a modest laugh. “No, no speech if you please, my lady. I prefer to be a silent patron, if it’s all the same to you. What I would enjoy is a chance to see Lady Abernathy’s flowers. Perhaps Lady Eleanor will be kind enough to show them to me?”
Eleanor’s mother smiled at her. “I’m sure she’d be delighted.”
Eleanor pressed her lips together. Oh my, yes—as delighted as any young lady thrown into a serpent’s path would be. “Oh, what terrible luck. I’d so love to show you the garden, Mr. West, but I’m afraid I’m engaged to help the children with the daisy chains.”
“Never mind that, Eleanor,” her mother said. “Charlotte can help the children.”
Julian West intervened then. “Amelia and I would be pleased to help Lady Charlotte. Would you like to make a daisy chain, minx?”
Amelia hopped up and down with excitement, her sunny curls bouncing against her shoulders. “Yes, please. May I, Denny?” She turned her wide, dark eyes on Camden West.
He grinned at her obvious excitement. “Do you know how to make a daisy chain?”
“No, but Lady Charlotte will show me. Won’t you?” Amelia turned her absurdly appealing eyes on Charlotte.
Charlotte gave Eleanor a helpless shrug, then smiled down at Amelia. “Of course. Have you ever made a daisy chain before?” She took the child by the hand to lead her across the lawn.
