“Thank you. I shall pass along your compliments to my lady’s maid,” Simone said.
Caleb’s eyes darted towards the open door and informedher, “Wonderful. My sister and her husband just arrived.” He winced slightly. “I’m sorry. I am not quite sure what my sister will say or do on any given occasion.”
Simone watched as Lord and Lady Roswell approached them with smiles on their faces.
Lady Roswell came to a stop in front of her. “Hello, Miss Delacourt,” she said.
As Simone gracefully descended into a curtsy, she greeted, “Lady Roswell. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard much about you, all good things, I assure you.”
Lady Roswell gestured towards her husband. “Are you acquainted with my husband?”
“I am,” Simone replied, exchanging a look with Lord Roswell. “We were introduced at Miss Sutherland’s ball.”
Lord Roswell tipped his head towards her. “Miss Delacourt,” he said.
Lady Roswell’s lips twitched, as if she were privy to a secret. “Miss Sutherland is a dear friend. I believe her to be a delight.”
“I agree, wholeheartedly,” Simone responded.
“I am teaching Miss Sutherland how to shoot a pistol,” Lady Roswell shared.
Clasping her hands together, Simone said, “She informed me of this when she came to call. I have had the privilege of teaching her how to throw daggers.”
“Daggers?” Lady Roswell repeated.
“Yes, I am rather proficient in throwing daggers,” Simone replied.
Lady Roswell shifted her attention to her husband and inquired, “Do you think I should learn how to throw daggers?”
“No, I think that is a terrible idea,” Lord Roswell replied, his words softened by a smile directed at his wife.
“I would be happy to teach you, but I should warn youthat it takes a lot of practice before one becomes proficient,” Simone said.
Lady Roswell’s face brightened. “I shall take you up on that. I have never had a desire to toss daggers until now, but it sounds exciting.”
The butler stepped into the room and announced supper was ready.
Caleb stepped closer to Simone and offered his arm. “May I escort you to the dining room?” he asked.
“Thank you,” Simone replied, placing her hand on his sleeve.
While Caleb led her towards the dining room, Simone snuck a glance at him. He truly was an intriguing man. She enjoyed his playful side, and how he bantered back and forth with her. But it would do her no good to develop feelings for him. They were partners and both were smart enough not to complicate their relationship with something as trivial as emotions.
Caleb ate his soup as he listened to the conversation that was going on around the dinner table. He felt no need to speak up and interject his thoughts, considering everyone was speaking on polite conversational topics.
He glanced at Simone and noticed that her demeanor had changed. She seemed much more timid and her eyes remained downcast. It appeared that her ruse of being a wallflower was one that extended outside of the ballroom.
Simone turned her head and caught him staring. Instead of looking away, or feeling embarrassed, he asked, “Are you not enjoying your soup?”
“It is delicious, but I have had enough,” she replied.
“But you hardly ate any of it.”
Her lips quirked. “Do you monitor all of your guests’ intake of soup?”
“Only yours,” he teased.
As the footmen collected the bowls, his father stepped into the dining room and said, “I do apologize for being late, but my meeting with my man of business went longer than expected.”
