Mia pouted, but Audrey chose to ignore it. Hermind was in a whirlwind. She’d been introduced to Lord Davies and Mr. Wallings at the musicale last evening and had enjoyed their company. The fact that they both wanted to see her again gave her an unexpected thrill. As she was seeing Lord Easton for a promenade that afternoon at Hyde Park, she didn’t expect him to call that morning.
Whoever was to come wouldn’t arrive before one o’clock, which gave her time to decide what to wear. She was too excited to eat anything more. “Well, I must attend to something upstairs. Please excuse me, my lord,” she said, standing. “Grace, when you finish breakfast, will you come to my bedchamber, please?”
“I’m finished.” Grace stood, and the two sisters left the dining room.
Audrey could hear Mia chatting happily with Lord Fletcher. He was attentive and made her laugh with his witty comments. Why couldn’t he talk to her like that? She shook her head to dispel such thoughts as they walked up the stairs.
When Grace closed the door of her sister’s room, she nearly screamed, “Morning calls! How very exciting.”
“Indeed it is. It’s been years since anyone paid us a visit.”
Grace nodded. “I remember when Mama was alive, the house was full of callers.”
“I remember,” Audrey said, going to the armoire and pulling out three day dresses. “Which one do you think is most appropriate?”
“Oh, definitely the blue. It brings out the color of your eyes, and I have the perfect matching blue ribbon for your hair. You should try the dress on to make sure it fits well. It wouldn’t do for you to be hosting your first morning call in an ill-fitting gown,” Grace said.
“Good idea. Thank you, sister.”
It turned out that the dress was a little big on Audrey and needed a few alterations.
“Do you need help with that?” Grace asked.
“No. I can manage. It won’t take me long. A few tucks here and there will be enough.”
Grace nodded and left Audrey to her sewing.
When the one o’clock hour came around, Audrey, Grace, and Lord Fletcher were in the drawing room waiting for any callers who might stop by. Audrey had her hands in her lap and fought hard against fidgeting.
“Are you nervous?” Grace whispered in her ear.
“A little.”
“Just be your usual charming self, and all will be well.”
“You’re too kind, sister,” Audrey said, hearing the knocker bang down. She took a deep breath and waited.
A moment later, Beckwith led two gentlemen into the room. “Lord Davies and Mr. Wallings,” he announced.
Both Audrey and Grace stood and curtseyed, and Lord Fletcher, who’d been standing by the fireplace, walked over to stand beside them.
“Lord Davies, Mr. Walling, may I present Lord Fletcher. Lord Fletcher, this is Lord Davies and Mr. Wallings.
“Fletcher, Miss Parker,” Lord Davies said with a bow.
“Davies, Mr. Wallings,” Fletcher said.
“It’s a pleasure to see you both again,” Audrey said.
Fletcher stepped in to make the introductions between the young men and Grace.
Davies inclined his head. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Grace.”
“The pleasure is mine, my lord,” Grace said.
“Fletcher, Miss Parker, Miss Grace,” Wallings said.
Audrey noticed that his eyes lingered on Grace. “I would like to thank you both for the beautiful flowers you sent.”
