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Damn Blythe.
“I was definitely not sketching any part of Granby’s person. And Blythe askedmeto sketchhisbackside, if you must know. That is what sort of gentleman you’ve become fixed on. A total rogue.”
“Don’t change the subject. I know Blythe borders on impropriety, which is why I find him so appealing. We are talking about you and Granby. What sort of encounter did you have with him which inflamed you with such dislike? And you were sketching? A large event of some sort. Lots of gowns to tempt you, I imagine. I’m certain your fingers wouldn’t have strayed far from a pencil.”
With a sigh of resignation, Romy said, “Lady Masterson’s garden party. It was some time ago.”
“Before Papa died?” Theo’s voice caught for a moment. “You went as a plant of some sort.”
Absolutely no one had seen her vision for the costume she had worn to the garden party; it was very frustrating. “I was atree nymph. At any rate, I was sketching. Miss Cummings had on the most unusual dress. There were honeybees —”
“I don’t care about Miss Cummings. Get to the part where you met Granby.” Her eyes widened briefly, taking in Lady Mildred who was now prancing around. “Someone please put an end to this display.” She elbowed Romy. “Do go on.”
“I happened upon Granby and Blythe.”
“You didn’t tell me.” Theo frowned.
“Because it would have meant telling you of Granby. Didn’t you ascertain Blythe must have been there from his comments?” Romy shook her head. “Never mind. Granby was blocking my view of Miss Cummings. And I noticed the length of his coat was far too short for a man of his height.”
“Oh, good Lord, Romy. Please tell me you didn’t.”
“I’m afraid I did.” She looked down at her hands, struggling to remember her outrage at the way he’d spoken to her at Lady Masterson’s and again at Madame Dupree’s; all she could recall with any clarity was the velvet sheen in the depths of his eyes when he’d nearly kissed her. “He was incredibly insulting. And dismissive. I merely suggested he should seek out another tailor.”
Theo put a hand to her lips, whether in horror at Romy’s bad behavior or in an attempt to stifle her own amusement, Romy wasn’t sure.
“I never saw Granby again until we returned to London. He was escorting Beatrice to Madame Dupree’s. We became reacquainted and had a rather unpleasant exchange. I may have told him at that time his cravat was the color of tepid bathwater.”
Her sister shook her head. “I’m sure he didn’t appreciate your helpful observation.”
The room suddenly erupted in applause.
Romy looked up, watching as Beatrice, smiling as if she’d accomplished something of great magnitude in correctly guessing Lady Mildred’s riddle, stood up.
She supposed, considering the way Lady Mildred had looked as if she’d been in the midst of a fit instead of playing charades, the applause was justified.
“Well done, Lady Beatrice,” someone said. “Well done.”
“Granby and I don’t care for each other in the least,” Romy said in a low tone to her sister. “We engage in mutual hostility.”
Beatrice smiled at the guests in the drawing room before gracefully clasping her hands, taking a small bow in acknowledgement of her achievement. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at this part.” Beatrice had a lovely speaking voice when she wasn’t being snide. “I beg you all for patience.” She dipped her head in pretended shyness.
“Is that why he’s staring at you?” Theo nudged her again, tilting her head in the direction of the window near where the painting by Gentileschi hung.
“Who?” Romy pretended indifference.
“Him. Granby. Don’t act as if you don’t realize it.”
There had been a curious prickling against the back of her neck during Lady Mildred’s performance, but Romy had put it down to a chill caused by the open doors at the far end of the room, though she didn’t feel the least cold.
Pushing her chin down, she tilted her head slightly, not wishing Granby to see her observing him.
He was indeed looking at her, studying Romy with a grimace as if wondering how she had come to be in his drawing room. Unlike most of the other gentlemen and some of the ladies, Granby didn’t have a drink in his hand; instead, his arms lay on top of the chair before him.
Romy shifted, ensuring her entire back was to him.
“Do not antagonize him further, Romy. I don’t want our stay revoked. I’ve just begun to make progress with Blythe.”
“I shall do everything I can to avoid him.” The entire length of her back tingled in awareness, much worse now since she was certain the cause was Granby.
