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“We’re still too early, aren’t we?” James said as soon as the greetings had been exchanged.
Lady Vicky was the first to respond. “Not in the least, Your Grace. We were expecting you, as we received the note from your footman last night.”
James hid his surprise. He had forgotten he had left such instructions with his servants and was pleased that his foresight had been so well executed.
Rosabel stepped into the conversation. “This isn’t our usual at home day, so we shall be perfectly comfortable to get to know Lady Katherine without interruption.”
James watched as his sister preened under the attention she was receiving. He imagined it would be a singular experience for the young girl to be the center of young, female attention, being the only daughter in their family.
“Thank you for receiving us, my lady,” Katherine said sweetly with another curtsy.
Lady Sherton waved the girl over toward her, indicating the seat beside her. “Let us not remain upon ceremony, my dear. You must tell us all about yourself and what you’re most hoping to see and do while you are visiting your brother. Wexford has assured us that we must be friends.”
James was surprised by Lady Sherton’s warmth toward his sister. His gaze flickered toward Rosabel. When she met his eyes, he could see amusement mixed with concern lurking in her gaze. He realized in that moment that the countess was still hoping to bring Wexford up to scratch for one of her daughters and would happily make friends with his sister to accomplish her aim.
Ignoring any guilt he might feel on the subject, he sat back in the less than comfortable seat he had chosen and sipped the tea Lady Hilaria had handed him.
He tried not to glance at his timepiece too many times, but James was surprised how slowly the time was passing. He was heartily bored by the discussion of where the ladies thought to find the best ribbons on Bond Street.
A knock on the door startled them all for a moment before Rosabel stood and exclaimed.
“Oh! I forgot. I am to go driving with Mr. Northcott.” She hurried from the room after the briefest curtsy, without a backward glance.
The rest of the occupants of the room stared after her before Katherine broke the silence with a fit of giggles. James stood.
“I rather think we have overstayed,” he began before Lady Sherton waved away his words.
“Why don’t you leave your sister with us for the day? We shall see her back home before the evening’s activities. It will allow the girls to become much better acquainted and to decide on the activities they shall share during your sister’s fortnight in Town.”
James was surprised by the offer until he noticed the satisfied gleam in the countess’ eyes. He was on the verge of refusing when his sister’s pleading gaze ensnared his.
“Please, Wexford? Surely, you would prefer to be able to go about your ducal business without me underfoot.”
He had to laugh. If he had said the same thing, she would have had strong words for him. But she wasn’t wrong. It would be a relief to have her off his hands for a time. James bowed to Lady Sherton.
“Thank you, my lady. If you are certain it won’t be too much for you, then we will be happy to accept.”
Lady Sherton actually laughed. “You do know I have five daughters, don’t you? And there are always extras added in here and there. We shall do just fine with Lady Katherine.”
James wondered briefly if his sister was likely to incur any costs but dismissed the thought. Lady Sherton was, as she had said, an experienced mother and hostess. If she offered, he was free to accept.
With a tweak of his sister’s curls and an admonition to behave, James left the room with a formal bow. It was in this way that he was in the foyer in time to see Rosabel leaving for her drive. She was a vision in shades of rose.How fitting, he thought. She was, as always, the prettiest girl he had ever seen.
James wasn’t sure if she had noticed him as she hurried by. But there was a slight stiffness in her stride that wasn’t normally present that made him think something was making her uncomfortable. Either it was his presence, or she was uncertain about her upcoming excursion. Either option pleased James more than it ought.
∞∞∞
Rosabel strolled along with her hand tucked into Mr. Northcott’s elbow a few days after the introduction of Lady Katherine into their circle, doing her best to be happy with her situation. It was exactly what she had thought she wanted. A handsome, intelligent, successful gentleman of noble family but without a title. He was perfect. And he seemed to be a genuinely nice man. He told amusing stories and asked interested questions. He took the time to speak with her sisters and tolerated Lady Katherine’s exuberant enthusiasm for every activity they were involved in.
“She reminds me of my nieces,” was all he said when Bel tried to excuse the girl’s energy. “You wouldn’t think I’d miss them, but I do. A little less so, with Lady Katherine’s presence, so you needn’t be concerned about me.”
Rosabel did quite like the man, but she didn’t find herself terribly enthusiastic about his presence. Not like those times when she would catch a glimpse of Wexford. She was nearly despairing over the issue. That and Preston’s disconcerting presence at a few of the events they had attended had her in a heightened state that only her hard-won control kept her from panicking over.
She was deeply grateful that Northcott didn’t pressure her in any way. While he was surely courting her, spending hours with them nearly every day, he never said anything to indicate his feelings or intentions. Rosabel was glad. It would be infinitely worse if he were to proclaim love for her when all she could seem to muster was lukewarm friendship. She wanted a love match and had thought that perhaps it could grow given time. It was possible she just hadn’t given it enough time, she told herself once more as she smiled at her companion.
“Tell me more about America. Are you ever nervous crossing the seas?”
“Nervous? No, why would I be? Are you?”
