“Much too long.” Mr. Abramson slapped Lord Camden on the shoulder. “You’ve been missed.”
A tip of his head was all the response Lord Camden gave him.
“Miss Wilde,” Mr. Barry said. “What a pleasure to have you join us tonight.”
“Thank you, Mr. Barry.” Augusta’s wide smile would never catalog her as a demure debutante. I hoped her openness would not make her a target for forward men. I wasn’t certain if Mr. Barry was one of those who she needed to be wary of.
Mr. Barry turned his attention to me. “And Miss Lewis, was it? I hope you are enjoying your time at Rosemont.”
“I am, thank you.”
“It’s not been too confining for you? What with a brooding baron about the house?”
“Barry,” Mr. Abramson nudged him. “Be nice.”
“I do not know what you are talking about,” I said, jumping into the conversation. “Though, I primarily spend my time with Miss Wilde.”
“I find that hard to believe,” Mr. Barry said, scowling. “It must be a regular house party there, what with you being so beautiful and unattached. Perhaps that is the real reason we have not seen Lord Camden for these many months.”
“That’s enough, Barry.” Lord Camden’s voice was low and more serious than I had yet heard it.
Miss Klein quirked her brow and stuck out her plump lips into a pout. “Is it true, Lord Camden? Is she the reason why you have been neglecting us.”
By us, I knew she meant herself. If I were in her place, waiting for a proposal, I suppose I would have wanted to know the same. However, when it came out of her mouth, it sounded whiny and petulant.
As much as I did not want to draw attention to myself at the moment, I couldn’t stand still and let anyone think that Lord Camden hadremained at home because of my presence. What an absolutely absurd idea. “Am I to understand you are Lord Camden’sfriends?”
“One does wonder,” Augusta grumbled.
Lord Camden’s face was a mixture of surprise and respect. He faced his so-called friends. “Miss Lewis has only been with us a few short weeks. I was hoping she would be impressed by the company we keep here in Rivendale.”
“Come now, Camden,” Mr. Barry said with a short laugh. “We were in jest. You must forgive us, Miss Lewis. As old friends, sometimes we are remiss in filtering our words. You understand, don’t you? We meant no harm.”
“Certainly not,” Miss Klein added. “I am ashamed that you thought us at all serious.”
I stared at the faces of the three acquaintances in front of me, trying to take their true measure. I wasn’t certain what to make of their apologies. Had I overreacted? I was supposed to be a model for Augusta to follow, and I was squirming in my place.
“Dinner is served.”
The announcement broke the awkward silence from my lack of response.
“May I walk you into dinner?” Mr. Abramson asked, extending his arm to Augusta.
She glanced at me and then back at Mr. Abramson. His ruddy cheeks were stretched into a friendly smile. He was the one friend of Lord Camden’s I thought I could approve of. I gave her a nod of encouragement, although she did not need my permission.
Augusta slid her arm in Mr. Abramson’s, and they stepped away from the group. Miss Klein quickly sidled up to Lord Camden. “It is good tosee you again.” She slid her arm into Lord Camden’s as if she owned the appendage and the man attached to it. Bile formed in my throat.
“Miss Lewis, might I have the honor of escorting you to dinner?” Gone was the smirk from earlier. It was replaced by a kind smile—one I wasnotsure I could trust—but it did soften Mr. Barry in my mind.
“Certainly.” I set my hand lightly on his arm, and we followed Augusta. Like a glutton for punishment, I glanced behind me. Lord Camden met my gaze. The hard look in his eyes was back. Had I done something to upset him? Or was he still put out with his friends?
When I turned back, I saw the profile of a man leaving the drawing room. A man I recognized from Northamptonshire. Mr. Peter Goodwin. I froze, unable to move.
“Miss Lewis?” Mr. Barry asked.
I shot him a feigned smile and forced my feet forward.
Peter Goodwin was Reginald’s friend. He had stayed with us once, years ago, for a short weekend on his way to the seaside. I had matured since then, but I had not gone through any great transformation. My heart thudded like a frightened animal cornered by a predator. He was bound to recognize me.
