Daniel didn’t look at her, a sure sign he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
“Mother and you shared a great deal,” he said neutrally. “Not least of all your love of natural science and botany. Mother was always disappointed I didn’t have a flair for gardening. You and she spent many hours together, studying and gardening, and I think she would like you to have those books.Iwould like you to have those books.”
Felicity bit her lip. “As long as you’re sure.”
Daniel patted her shoulder. “Of course I’m sure. And no, I don’t recognise that wretched plant. Did you think I would?”
“I just wanted another pair of eyes on it. It’s not like I can ask Papa and Mama.”
“That reminds me,” Daniel said, with a touch of guilt in his voice, “Aunt Harriet collared me as I went through the house. They want to talk to you.”
Felicity’s heart sank. She might have known she wouldn’t be permitted to enjoy all day free in the garden. She wouldn’t have been surprised if Mrs Thornhill had been watching her from one of the windows, her lips pressing tighter and tighter together as they did when she was especially angry.
“How long ago was that?” Felicity said, trying to sound light and unconcerned. She didn’t quite succeed.
“Only ten minutes ago. You might want to… to spruce yourself up a little before you go down.”
Felicity stood up, glancing down at herself. Her hair was coming out of the simple knot she’d pinned it into, tendrils of chestnut falling around her face, disordered and tangled. Her gown was smeared with wet earth, two round stains on the front where she’d been kneeling. Her hands were dirty from where she’d been digging around in the earth, and Felicity was fairly sure there was a smudge of dirt on her face somewhere.
“I might wash my hands,” she said uncertainly. “And perhaps brush my hair.”
“A good idea,” Daniel agreed. “I’ll go down to the drawing room and keep them talking while you change. Don’t take too long. Aunt Harriet seemed a little… well, a little peeved today.”
“I told her I didn’t want to join the Season this year.”
Daniel blinked. “You told herwhat? Oh, Felicity, why?”
“I am twenty-three years old,” Felicity said firmly. “I’ve endured four Seasons, and this will be my fifth. I’m starting to look silly. I don’t enjoy it, and I don’t particularly care to be married. I was very polite and firm about it, and rehearsed what I would say in advance.”
Daniel sighed, raking a hand through his hair. Unlike his blowsy cousin, Daniel followed the fashions, and was currently wearing a very Dandy-ish blue suit, coupled with a canary-yellow waistcoat that was frankly hurting Felicity’s eyes. He’d cropped his hair into the Brutus style, and it suited him rather well. He’d set all the local girls aflutter again, Felicity prophesied.
“And what did Aunt Harriet say?”
“Well, she flew into a rage, of course,” Felicity muttered. “Said that I would do the Season regardless. I think I might be going after all, but not without a fight.”
“So my stay here will be a pleasant and peaceful one?” he countered.
“Stop complaining,” Felicity retorted, “or I’ll give you a hug. Then I’ll get mud all over that lovely waistcoat of yours, see how you like that.”
“You, madam, are a scandalous wretch.”
“Bold words for a man who is too bright to look at.”
They moved back towards the house together, talking and laughing. Felicity almost forgot about the upcoming meeting with her mother, and the tongue-lashing she was sure to get.
They parted ways when they reached the house, and Felicity’s heart sank down into her stomach again. Hurrying up to her room, she began to wash with a vengeance, and combed the knots painfully out of her hair.
Better not give Mama anything to complain about,Felicity thought.
***
A freshly scrubbed, combed, and changed Felicity waited outside the door to the morning room, building up the courage to knock. Her muddy dress lay crumpled on the floor of her bedroom, waiting for the poor maid to come and do battle with it.
The morning room was Mrs Thornhill’s domain. It was one of the brightest rooms in the house, designed in the latest fashions, and a remarkably pretty if uncomfortable room. One did not go in without knocking. Felicity tried not to go in at all.
She could hear the low murmur of voices – Daniel first, then Mrs Thornhill, responding.
Don’t be a coward,she chastised herself.Get it over with.
