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Chapter Seven
Ashford was trying not to watch for her but knew the instant Vigilia had reached the reception room. It was as though the air shimmered slightly. Perhaps, it was just a strange sense that the back of his head had decided to fixate upon the chit and stood at attention whenever she was near. Whatever the case, it took more effort than was warranted not to turn and watch her enter the room.
His awareness of her allowed him to follow her progression through the room, even without watching her with his eyes. Ever gracious, she nodded, spoke to, or curtsied before everyone she encountered, always the exactly correct, socially acceptable greeting. He marvelled at her poise, despite her evident youth. Perhaps, he thought, she wasn’t as young as he had calculated. She had missed at least one Season due to her grandmother’s death, after all.
When she stopped before Lord Bertram, Ash couldn’t help but turn and watch.
“Good evening, my lord, have you settled in comfortably?”
“Of course, thank you, my lady. Crossley’s servants have made me very comfortable. It is kind of you to ask.”
“Not at all,” she replied with a smile. “I hadn’t realized you would be attending our gathering this week. Are you passing through on your way to your estate?”
“Crossley isn’t exactly on the way to Glenhaven, my lady. I came expressly to attend Lady Crossley’s congenial gathering.”
“How lovely,” she answered. Ash couldn’t tell from his position if she were expressing genuine delight at his presence or if she was merely being polite. “My apologies, my lord, geography doesn’t like to stick in my head unless I’m actually looking at a map when I’m told about a place.”
“Do you read maps, then?”
Ashford watched as pink rose in her cheeks, but he wasn’t certain if it was dismay or embarrassment causing the flush.
“I do, yes. I’ve always found them enticing. I haven’t been many places, but I still love looking at maps and imagining what things might be like in other places.”
“That’s an unusual hobby for a young lady, my dear,” Bertram stated in a slightly censorious tone before offering, “If you’d like, if Crossley has the right maps, I can show you where my estate is.”
“I’m certain his lordship has an excellent collection of maps, so I would enjoy that if it wouldn’t be too much bother.”
“You could never be a bother, my lady,” Bertram replied in a voice that sounded rather oily to Ashford’s ears but seemed to please the lady in question before she moved on to greeting the newest arrivals to the room.
It seemed many more guests had arrived since teatime. The room was filling up. Ash hadn’t thought to ask Crossley how many they were expecting, but he suspected the house would be quite full. His gaze swept the room once more, and he realized he had been mistaken to question the countess’ decisions in her guest list. The young ladies he had thought were unaccompanied were clearly being overseen by stern chaperones. Perhaps the older ladies had been resting from their travels during tea. It was a good lesson for him to learn.
“I’m dismayed to realize the Crossleys keep such low company as to have you in their home.”
Ash recognized the insulting voice and didn’t bother turning to face Lord Bertram. The man was beneath his notice, so Ash hadn’t kept track of his movements through the room and was a little surprised he would bother speaking to him.
“The same could be said about you, my lord.” Ash kept his voice low and his facial expression as pleasant as possible, but even he could hear the disdain in his tone. “But I wonder if you were even invited. I, myself, received a written invitation.”
He knew he had scored a direct hit when the viscount sputtered to come up with a response. Ash wondered why the Crossleys hadn’t declined the man their hospitality, but he supposed the nobility would need a very solid reason to do something like that to one of their own. And that was probably what the bounder had been counting on when he turned up uninvited upon their doorstep.
“What are you after Bertram?”
“Your downfall, as always,” the man replied almost sweetly. Ash had to appreciate the despicable man’s honesty, if nothing else.
“You do realize I never did anything to harm you, do you not? Your father put his property up for sale. I bought it. It was a transaction that had little or nothing to do with you.”
“And yet I am harmed, Northcott. And it is all your fault.”
The viscount’s voice had begun to rise. Ash didn’t wish for this foolish situation to become fodder for the gossips.
“Do contain yourself, Bertram. There is no call for causing a scene in Lady Crossley’s salon.”
“I think everyone ought to know what sort of man you are, Northcott.” The viscount sneered but did lower the volume of his voice, as though realizing he would not be the winner in a confrontation in that environment.
Ash watched with a frown as the man sauntered away. He wondered if Lord Bertram’s vendetta against him was the reason for his presence at the house party. Ash tried not to be exceedingly arrogant or think that he was the center of all activities, but in this case, it seemed to be a possibility. He wondered if he ought to warn Crossley of the potential for trouble. He gave his head a slight shake and decided against it for the time being. He didn’t really feel like explaining the entire mess to the earl, and he earnestly hoped he was wrong.
He then watched in dismay as Lord Bertram sidled up next to Lady Vigilia once more, just as Lady Crossley announced that they were to go in to supper. Vigilia’s hesitation was so minute that Ash wondered if it was only wishful thinking on his part. With a slight smile, she put her hand on Bertram’s arm and allowed him to escort her into the dining room.
Unclenching his teeth, Ashford turned to the nearest young woman and offered his arm with what he hoped was a pleasant smile. It must have worked because she was suddenly simpering and giggling, making Ash’s jaw clench once more.
