The door opened and the butler greeted him with a smile. “May I help you, milord?”
Roswell extended the card to the butler. “I am here to call on Lady Persephone.”
“Please do come in while I see if she is accepting callers at this time,” the butler responded, opening the door wider.
Roswell stepped into the entry hall and watched as the butler disappeared into the drawing room, then returned only a moment later.
The butler gestured towards the door. “Lady Persephone will see you now.”
“Thank you,” Roswell said.
Entering the room, he saw Lady Persephone sitting next to her mother on a yellow settee with a book in her hand.
He bowed. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”
“You are always welcome in our home,” Lady Walmsley said.
Lady Persephone put the book down onto the table. “May I ask what you were reading?” Roswell inquired.
“Fordyce’sSermons to Young Women,” Lady Persephone revealed. “I am constantly reading the sermons.”
“It is true,” Lady Walmsley said.
“I’m afraid my sister does not share your enjoyment of the sermons,” Roswell revealed.
“That is a shame,” Lady Persephone stated. “I would think Lady Emma would benefit from the sermons more so than anyone, including the one on female reserve.”
“Why do you say that?”
Lady Persephone gave him a knowing look. “She is rather a hellion, is she not?”
“I wouldn’t go so far as to call her a ‘hellion’.”
Lady Persephone responded with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “She is quite opinionated, and I fear that she has destined herself to spinsterhood.”
“I would agree that Emma is rather opinionated, but that is one of her many charms.”
“Very few gentlemen of thetonwould agree with that statement,” Lady Persephone remarked. “No one wants to unite themselves with a young woman who has strong opinions.”
Lady Walmsley spoke up. “Would you care to take a seat, my lord?” She gestured towards an upholstered armchair next to Lady Persephone.
“I would,” Roswell replied. “Thank you.”
A young maid walked into the room with a tea tray in her hands. “Would you like me to pour, milady?” she asked as she put it on the table.
Lady Walmsley waved her hand imperiously. “You are dismissed.” She turned her attention to Roswell. “Would you care for some tea?”
“Yes, that sounds delightful,” he replied.
“Allow me,” Lady Persephone said, moving to the edge of her seat and performing the task perfectly. After putting the teapot down, she extended Roswell a cup and saucer, their fingers briefly touching.
Roswell watched as a blush came to Lady Persephone’s cheeks, but found he felt nothing at the exchange. How was that possible?
They all sipped their tea, and a silence descended over the group. Before it grew awkward, Roswell spoke up, directing his remarks to Lady Persephone. “I remember you are quite fond of watercolor painting.”
“You have an excellent memory, my lord,” Lady Persephone said with a coy smile. “I do enjoy painting.”
“That is a charming pastime to have.”
