Page 6

In fact, he wasn’t worth another moment of her time.

Draping her pelisse over one arm, she peeked her head around the corner to ensure she was alone before emerging from the alcove. She needed to find which bedchamber was actually hers. Surely Katherine had been looking for her, but it would be quite difficult to find her now. What about Mrs. Wintle? Or Clara?

Leah bit her lip in hesitation.

Clara might not have been the best one to trust with directing her to the correct room.

As Leah rounded the corner, she stopped short, coming face to face with Lady Dalmeer’s beaded bodice. Leah jumped back to avoid colliding with the woman, barely managing to dodge one of her puffed sleeves.

She dropped into a curtsy. “My lady! Forgive me. I didn’t see you.”

Lady Dalmeer laughed. The high-pitched sound rang for a few seconds in Leah’s ears. “Why are you in such haste, Miss Sterling? Have you acquired an unwanted suitor already?” Her nose wrinkled as she smiled.

“Not yet, but I will be sure to keep you informed.”

“Please do!” Lady Dalmeer lowered her voice. “I have been told by your cousin that you are seeking a husband?”

Leah’s stomach dropped. Had Katherine already enlisted their hostess to help find Leah a match? Her face burned. It did seem to be the countess’s favorite pastime, but somehow Leah doubted she was very good at it.

Lady Dalmeer leaned closer. “Not to worry, Miss Sterling. I am always discreet.” Her loud voice did not give credit to her words. Nor did her plunging neckline.

Both were far from discreet.

But Leah still cast her a grateful smile. “I am open to any suggestions.”

“Well, if my son were attending, he would be the most eligible by far.” Lady Dalmeer lowered her lashes. “I shall ensure your prompt introduction if he ever does decide to make his appearance.” A hint of vexation crossed her brow. “Until then, rest assured that I have your best interests in mind.”

Leah swallowed her sudden nerves. Lady Dalmeer must have been quite desperate to find a match for her son if she was willing to consider Leah. “I am honored,” she choked out.

The countess nodded with a secretive smile. How had Leah managed to earn her hostess’s regard so quickly? Perhaps she wasn’t as hopeless as she thought. She wouldn’t allow her hopes to rise about the earl, of course, but at least she had made a good impression…perhaps enough to ask for assistance.

“I must confess I became lost on my way to my room,” Leah stammered. She didn’t wish to cause any trouble for Clara by blaming her for the mistake. “Where might I find Mrs. Wintle?”

Lady Dalmeer frowned, a column of deep wrinkles appearing in her brow. “She and the other servants are quite occupied at the moment. But I believe your room is this way.” She gestured in the opposite direction with a smile.

Leah followed Lady Dalmeer until they reached the open door of a much smaller bedchamber. To her relief, the furnishings were lavender and a pleasant shade of blue. To the right of the doorway were Leah’s trunks, neatly stacked and awaiting her.

“Thank you, my lady,” Leah said. “This is a lovely room.”

Lady Dalmeer seemed to appreciate the compliment. “I take great care in ensuring all of my guests are comfortable.” She examined Leah again. “We will be gathering for dinner shortly if you’d like to change.”

Leah nodded. She almost told Lady Dalmeer that her maid had yet to arrive but thought better of it. She and Katherine could help one another for one evening. After all, it would only be a small group at dinner that night.

Leah thanked the countess again, and then she was left alone in her new bedchamber. Without wasting a second, Leah closed the door firmly behind her. She leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath as her gaze fell on her stack of trunks.

How had she missed Mr. Hawthorne’s trunks in the other bedchamber?

It had been a critical error.

She shuddered at the image of him standing near the window. Thank the heavens it had been dark in the room when he had first entered, or he would have seen her asleep on the bed.

What a scoundrel.

Infuriating, ill-mannered, devious scoundrel.

She could avoid him easily enough in a house this size, especially with dozens of other guests to create distance between them. She wouldn’t have to interact with him at all if she didn’t wish to.

And she most certainly didn’t.