As they began to ascend the stairs, she slowed her movements, taking time to study each portrait that was at eye level. Chidding didn’t rush her, but stood at her back, shielding her from those who wanted to pass. The steps were wide enough that people could easily slip past them.
On each frame was mounted a small golden plate engraved with the full name and an identifier of those in the portrait.The fifth earl and his countess. The fourth earl. Second countess of the third earl.
They were all so regal, but haughty. Not a smile among them.
“My mother would have made a wonderful countess.”
“Of course.” Chidding’s voice was low as though he understood this was all a moment of discovery for her. “She was an actress and acting is an enormous part of being an aristocrat.”
She wondered how much of his treatment of her was a performance, and then chastised herself for the thought.
A gaggle of people edged by them, and when they were no longer in earshot, he lowered his head slightly. “Just because we’re here, doesn’t mean we have to go into the ballroom. We can leave.”
“I have been dragging my feet, haven’t I? It’s just that it’s all so overwhelming. There’s so much history here, and it’s my history. And I’ve never quite had it before.” She tucked her hand back into the crook of his elbow. “I’m ready to attend the ball, my lord.”
“Very well, Miss Leyland. Let’s make a night of it, then, shall we?”
As they carried on, she caught only glimpses ofthe other portraits because her attention was more drawn to the man beside her. Would he extend his instinct toward kindness to her daughter? She rather thought he would. She decided, like that long-ago rose that Knightly had given her mother, Chidding’s kindness might be the best part of him, and perhaps it was all that mattered.
“His lordship, Viscount Chidding, and Miss Regina Leyland!”
Standing at the top of the stairs, her hand tucked within the crook of Chidding’s elbow, she took a deep breath. His other hand came to rest on top of hers reassuringly. She glanced up, and he smiled warmly.
“I always find it unnerving to be announced,” he said. “Much more pleasant not to stand up here alone. Shall we?”
It was possible she might in fact, eventually, fall in love with this man. Most certainly she would always appreciate him. “Most assuredly, my lord.”
As they began their descent, he said, “Bremsford’s not a bad fellow, you know.”
Not the highest of praises, but she knew he was striving to lessen her anxiousness. The not-a-bad-fellow was studying her intently, his features set in a mask that reflected none of his thoughts. She wondered if he’d hoped she wouldn’t make an appearance, so he could have claimed to have reached out to her and been rebuffed. She was still wary of his reasons for offering the olive branch.
Certainly, with her father’s passing, she’d foundherself reflecting on choices made. She could only surmise her... brother had done the same.
At his side, his wife was much easier to read. Avid curiosity widened her eyes, and her mouth curled up slightly at the corners, a hostess who was welcoming a guest. It was that smile that caused some of the tension to ease from around Regina’s taut nerves.
“Chidding,” Bremsford said succinctly, and she was left with the impression that he wasn’t quite pleased the viscount had arrived with her.
“Lord Bremsford.” Chidding’s tone was cordial but supported with a bit of steel and perhaps a tad of warning.
Her father’s son turned to her. “Miss Leyland, we’re remarkably grateful you could join us this evening.”
“I very much appreciate the invitation.”
“Allow me the honor of introducing my wife, Lady Bremsford.”
Even though she was technically family, it seemed, for tonight at least, everything was to remain formal. Elegantly, Regina lowered herself into a deep curtsy. “Lady Bremsford, it is indeed an honor to make your acquaintance at long last.”
She recognized she was being a bit taciturn, perhaps even ungracious with the mention of time, but Bremsford had been married a decade now, wed at twenty-five. Of course, she’d not been invited to the wedding or the breakfast that followed, but the intricate details had been given a good bit of ink in the newspapers.
“My dear Miss Leyland, it is such a pleasure to welcome you into our home.” She stopped short ofsaying it was a pleasure to welcome Regina into their family, but Regina couldn’t hold that against the lady, because, after all, Regina remained the product of the woman’s unfaithful father-in-law. The earl and his countess had three children, and Regina wondered if Arianna might be given the opportunity to play with her cousins.
“The residence, what I’ve seen of it, is magnificent.”
“I can take no credit there. Most of the decorating was done by my predecessors, and my dear husband is very much in favor of honoring tradition and leaving everything as it is.”
She’d never envisioned anyone referring to Bremsford asdearanything. But she was encouraged because surely if this woman found him so, perhaps in time, Regina might come to like him as well and would find herself referring to him as herdear brother. Even if presently, when she glanced over at him it was to find him scrutinizing her as though he expected her to steal the silver.
She suspected it was going to take some time for them to become comfortable with each other.
