Caleb looked heavenward. “I do not have time for your misguided logic, Sister,” he said. “I need to get ready for a dinner party this evening.”
Anette took a step back but held his gaze. “Fine. Do not tell me, but I will root out the truth. I always do.”
Rising, Caleb replied, “Not this time.”
“All right. You win, for now,” Anette said. “If you will excuse me, I need to return home and prepare for this evening.”
Caleb watched his sister’s retreating figure and he knew tonight was going to be an utter disaster.
Chapter Five
Simone sat at her dressing table in her bedchamber as Felicity styled her hair. She was not looking forward to this evening. Not one bit. She wondered why Caleb had invited her to dine with him this evening. She had no desire to spend additional time with him. They were partners, not friends. Although, she had to admit that line was starting to blur.
Felicity took a step back and asked, “Are you pleased with your hair?”
Simone turned her head to the side to look at her reflection in the mirror. “I am,” she replied. “But I do not know why you were insistent that you put pearls in my hair.”
“You are going to dine with Mr. Bolingbroke and his family. I daresay that you need to look your best, if not for your sake, then for your father’s.”
Simone shifted in her seat to face her lady’s maid. “I can’t believe my father agreed to go this evening. It is just so unlike him.”
“It surprised me as well.”
“What if he thinks Mr. Bolingbroke intends to court me?”
Felicity shrugged. “What if he wants to?”
Simone shook her head. “No, Mr. Bolingbroke and I canhardly stand one another. He has no intention of courting me. Which makes this invitation to dine with his family that much more perplexing.”
“You two did not look at odds with one another in the carriage,” Felicity pointed out.
“I will admit that Mr. Bolingbroke does have a pleasant demeanor about him, but we are just partners on this one assignment.”
Felicity eyed her curiously. “If you are sure…” Her words trailed off.
“I am.”
Her lady’s maid didn’t look convinced. “I shall drop it, for now.”
“Thank you,” Simone said, rising. “I should be going. I wouldn’t want to make my father wait for me.”
“I wish you luck.”
“I don’t need luck, do I?”
Felicity smiled. “A little luck never hurt anyone.”
Simone acknowledged her words with the tip of her head before she departed from her bedchamber. Once she arrived in the entry hall, she saw her father was waiting for her with his usual solemn expression.
“Good, there you are,” her father grumbled. “Let us get this over with.”
Simone shared her father’s sentiments, but she just bit her tongue. It would be nice to spend some time with her father, even if it meant that she had to dine with Caleb and his family.
Her father led her towards the coach, and they stepped inside. The journey to Lord Oxley’s townhouse was brief. Upon arrival, they exited the coach and made their way to the main door, which was promptly opened by the butler.
“Do come in,” the butler said as he stood to the side.
As they came to a stop in the entry hall, the butler continued. “Allow me to show you to the drawing room.”
