Page 24

Nine

Stillin the DrawingRoom

TWO AGONIZING MINUTES LATER

Owenhovered behind the settee he’d laid Althelia upon. When she’d swayed, and he’d realized she was about to faint, his heart had plummeted to the expensive Aubusson carpet before he bolted across the room, uncaring what the Westbrooks would think.

Hereyelashes fluttered before she opened her eyes and peered around, momentary confusion creasing the bridge of her nose.

Comprehensiondawned, and she gasped. “DidI faint?”

“Indeed, you did, darling.” Her mother sat beside her prone daughter on the settee and smoothed a hand across Althelia’s forehead and then her cheek. “You don’t feel feverish.”

“You gave us quite a fright, Ally,” CassiusWestbrook put in from near the fireplace.

“Oui.” Adolphus’sFrench wife, the Marchioness of Edenhaven, nodded, her arms around her niece and nephew. “I quite feared for you, Althelia.”

“Good thing Mr. Lockington is observant and caught her in the nick of time.” The dowager duchess, appearing rather oddly pleased at the turn of events, graced Owen with a brilliant smile. “Well done, you.”

“Yes. Thank you, Owen.” The beatific smile of gratitude Althelia directed toward him rendered Owen mute for a heartbeat. He didn’t even mind that she’d addressed him by his given name in front of her family, who all looked on with concern tinged with bewilderment.

Allexcept for Eva and the dowager.

Thosetwo were dual forces to reckon with.

“Dear, perhaps you should retire for the night,” HerGrace suggested.

“I’ll help you upstairs, Althelia,” Eva volunteered but not before giving Owen a sympathetic glance.

Godhelp him.

Washe as transparent as all that?

“I’m perfectly fine. I just haven’t eaten much the last few days.” Althelia struggled to sit up. “I want to help decorate the tree tonight.”

“Have a drink of water.” Her father pushed a glass of water into her hand before signaling to the worried butler. “Please fetch light refreshments for Althelia from the kitchen, Simms.”

“At once, YourGrace.” The good fellow trotted off with such alacrity that he might’ve been walking barefoot on hot coals.

Afterobediently taking a sip and passing the glass to Cassius, Althelia swung her legs off the settee. “I have a slight headache. That is all.”

“I’ve always found fresh air does wonders for my headaches.” Everyone swung their attention to the dowager again. She blinked innocently, her eyes magnified behind her spectacles. “Owen, you should take my granddaughter for a brief walk on the terrace.”

“But, Mother, it is snowing outside,” the duke protested, eyeing his elderly mother as if she might be slightly addled.

Notaddled.

Justmeddlesome; God love the interfering dear.

“I know, dear boy, but part of the terrace is covered, is it not?” The old girl wasn’t backing down. “It would be a shame if Althelia couldn’t participate in decorating the tree after she made so many lovely paper cutouts today.”

Owenappreciated having the dowager in his corner, arguing his case, and he recognized an ally when he saw one. Truthfully, he would need a confederate, for though he’d only known Althelia for a few short days, he meant to ask for her hand in marriage.

Hissoul fairly sang for joy, and happiness thrummed in his veins because of his love for her—quite an abrupt change for a pragmatic, taciturn chap.

“Yes, a short walk. Just the thing, I think.” Althelia stood, not the least wobbly. “See. I’m as sturdy as a sailor upon a ship’s deck riding the sea’s rolling waves.”

“Here, use my wrap. I’m so near the fire, I do not need it.” The dowager extended a creamy knitted shawl.