“I’ve no objection,” Caroline said.
“Nor I,” Adrian added. Emily was, of course, acting exactly as he’d predicted.
Lady Asquith eyed Adrian with suspicion. But then, her gaze settled on Miss Wainwright. He could see the wheels turning.
“I had intended to employ a dancing master myself,” Lady Asquith said. “But I am not so old as to have forgotten my youth. Miss D’Acre is correct, dancing lessons are infinitely less tedious with friends. Asquith will of course, bear a portion of the expense.”
“How kind,” Caroline replied.
“And completely unnecessary,” Adrian added.
“You know perfectly well I cannot place my wards under obligation to a gentleman. Lady Redver, you will be sure to send the bill?”
“Of course, Lady Asquith. Shall we expect the younger Misses Wainwright tomorrow?”
The bold sister raised her face. “Don’t you think we should first ask Millie, Lenora, and Annette?”
At the sound of her voice, an odd sensation skittered across Adrian’s skin—not the familiar, irritating itch but something equally disturbing—a cold recognition more akin to having crossed paths with a wraith or spirit. And yet, he couldn’t recall ever having heard a precise match.
He studied her face. No. They’d never been introduced.
What, then, had he felt?
Was the strange sensation simply because her voice and appearance were nearly identical to Miss Cassandra?Equally doubtful. Something about Miss Wainwright was very different from her sister and, in an unidentifiable way, familiar.
Miss Cassandra ignored her sister’s protestation and held out her hand to Emily. “I feel absolutely certain Millicent, Lenora, and Annette would be delighted, Miss D’Acre.”
The rug over their laps rippled and the shy sister jumped as if she’d been pinched.
Adrian stifled a chuckle. She had spirit. Courting Miss Wainwright was going to be less of a chore than he’d imagined.
“How wonderful!” Emily replied. “And have you been to the Royal Academy?”
“We haven’t,” Miss Cassandra answered for them both.
Miss Wainwright lifted her head. “We hope to soon.”
The two sisters had the same brown hair, the same delicate eyebrows, the same cheekbones, the same chin. The most pronounced difference was in the eyes.
Miss Wainwright’s eyes were incisive, honed with quick judgment while Miss Cassandra’s, though guarded, were kind.
“Lady Redver, Miss D’Acre and I will also be attending a private showing at the Royal Academy early next week,” Adrian offered. “We would be delighted if the three of you would join us. Harbury, will, of course be there, too.”
The elder Miss Wainwright stiffened. Her gaze flew to his, landing like a breath-taking punch. He was accustomed to being disliked, but what had he done to provoke the heightened ire of this young woman he’d never met?
“What a kind offer,” Lady Asquith glanced between himself and Harbury as if weighing the disadvantage of himself against the advantage of his friend. “I believe we must accept.”
He inclined his head. “I look forward to seeing you there, then.”
Surprisingly, he spoke the truth. Getting to know the reluctant and extraordinarily prickly Miss Wainwright was something to anticipate.
