Page 35 of Wit, Wiles and Courtship

Camilla looked in reproof at her younger sister. “Since Sophia had begun the speech, you ought to have let her finish it. It is her news to tell, after all.”

“I only wished to help,” Joanna protested, but looked abashed.

“I am going to be an aunt for the second time,” Tilly said with a beatific look. She went over to Sophia, who stood to receive her embrace.

Lady Poole was next to come and hug her daughter. “I had my suspicions but could not be sure until I saw you today. One look at you, and I was certain of it.” She remembered Sophia’s husband and turned to him. “Congratulations, Felix.”

The expectant father beamed. “Sophia’s health has been delicate these past weeks, and we wished to explain why we have not been more present when Camilla was out in Society.”

“I’m terribly sorry to have abandoned you,” Sophia said, as Camilla came to hug her in turn. “We have even had to put off Meg’s season for another year, for I am too unwell for all of the parties.”

“My sister was more relieved than disappointed,” Felix added, whose own sister was as shy as Sophia.

“Don’t you worry about a thing. Just focus on keeping this little mite healthy,” Camilla said, smiling. She was also looking forward to welcoming another niece or nephew. She had not known she liked babies until she held Dorothea’s.

“I hope it will be a boy,” Evo said. “Between the Rowlandsons and your family, Harwood, we are plagued by girls.”

“This brings us back to the subject of your marriage,” Tilly said, her expression pert. “A necessity, it appears, for then you can have scores of boys.” A knock from the hall interrupted his retort, and Camilla exchanged a glance with her mother.

“It is a bit early for callers.” Lady Poole frowned and looked at the door, waiting for the butler to arrive.

“Oh, that,” Evo said as sounds of the arrival reached them in the drawing room. “I sent a message to Lord Pembroke asking him to come. He has promised to take me to the boxing academy so I might begin to practice.”

No sooner had Camilla heard this than her heart thudded in her chest. She was not prepared to see Pembroke. The vision of his face looming over her hand came to mind, then his eyes close and piercing as he looked into hers. Although she could feel a flush spread across her cheeks, she willed herself to reveal nothing, to be ready to face him.

“Lord Pembroke,” Turton announced, opening the door to the drawing room to allow the earl to walk in.

“Good afternoon,” he said, taking in the full room with surprise. He brought his gaze to Evo. “I hope I am not interrupting a family party. Did you know this when you sent for me?”

“Sophia has only come to announce that she’ll have a baby,” he said offhandedly. “And we are taking tea. It is of no account.”

“Evo,” Camilla and Joanna both exclaimed at once, horrified.

After a wary look in the couple’s direction, Lord Pembroke acted as though nothing untoward had happened. “Allow me to extend my congratulations.” He then speared Evo with a look. “How long do you think it will be before you finally learn some manners, Poole?”

“You are like family, are you not? Your cousin is married to my sister. I think we might include you in the news without it shocking the ton,” Evo retorted.

“Perhaps. But then, your sister or her husband might like to be the one to disclose the news at a moment of their choosing. Besides, we are not family in truth”—he glanced at Camilla —“as much as we might feel that we are.”

Her lips parted, and she felt his words straight through her chest, especially with his pointed gaze coming with his declaration. Did he mean that he did not consider her close enough to be family? Or…could it possibly mean that he did not view her as a sister? That he had quite other feelings in regards to her?

She looked away, groaning inside. When would she ever learn? Had a woman ever been so desperate for a few crumbs of affection?

“Would you like some tea, my lord?” Lady Poole set her hand on the teapot.

“I would indeed,” he replied, his friendly manner returned. After a slight hesitation between the two empty seats, one beside Camilla and one opposite to her, he chose the latter, and she was immediately conscious of his regard. “As a matter of fact, I came not just to bring your scapegrace of a brother for boxing lessons, but with an invitation to dinner for all of you, if you would be so obliging as to accept it.”

“A dinner invitation?” her mother said. “Why yes, how lovely of you to think of us.” Although Lady Poole’s gaze was directed at him, Camilla felt the darts of significance sent her way.

“’Twas my mother’s idea. If you should be free on Sunday night, we thought to have an early supper before the theater. King Lear is being performed at Covent Garden, and we might attend together.”

“Are all of us invited?” Tilly asked, and he assured her that they were.

“I hope you will excuse us,” Felix said. “Sophia is tired in the evenings. I am sure you will feel no surprise when we refuse your kind invitation, now that you have learned our news.”

“Of course. It will be for another time.” Pembroke paused, then gave a crooked smile. “I am certain my sister and her husband will find a way to join us in my box, now that the Harwoods are unable to come.” Despite his making light of it, Camilla suspected he did not enjoy his sister’s company.

What could have prompted his mother to invite their family to dinner, and had he been in full agreement? Had something inside of him shifted toward her? If it had, she must simply resist giving into it. Impossible to contemplate giving in after how she had fought against it. If he wished to regain her interest, he would have to work for it. She would not be such a fool as to give her heart away again so quickly.