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My mother’s shoulders fell.
This was my chance to end my musical misery. “I shall see him.”
“And your steps?” my mother questioned.
“Can be taught another time? Is not the purpose of learning such steps for me to charm a suitor? Well, one has called.”
She did not frown, but she did not seem pleased, either. Instead, she looked at my instructor, dismissing her.
“I do hope you know what you are doing,” she said, picking at me as she moved to sit at the other end of the room where her needlework rested in wait.
“I am doing precisely as you requested. Finding a husband.”
Neither she nor I could say more as the gentleman entered with another bouquet of roses in one hand and a wrapped gift in the other.
“Your ladyship.” He nodded to my mother.
“Mr. Yves, your timing is most interesting,” she said to his confusion as his brows came together.
“She means most welcome,” I interrupted with a smile. “For you save me from many more dancing lectures.”
“It has always been my wish to be a hero.”
“Well done.” I nodded and looked at his full hands. “And these…”
“Gifts!” he said as if he had only just remembered them. “For you. I do hope you accept them.”
“Thank you.” I took the bouquet, smelling the flowers before I gave them to the maid. He handed me his second gift. The moment it touched my hands, I was instantly aware it was a book. “May I open it now?”
“Yes, please.”
I carefully undid the white string and peeled back the brown paper to reveal a rather expensive-looking edition of Shakespeare’s sonnets, which truly made me smile.
“I know you are fond of reading,” he said to me quickly.
“I am!” I said happily—until I opened it and saw that it had been marred with black ink.
“I wished not to shock you with anything unbecoming, so my mother had the book edited for content inappropriate for a lady,” he said, proudly. I now wished to throw the book at his face—such a fine book.
“How thoughtful of you,” my mother replied.
I thought she might have been mocking, as I wished to mock this stupidity, but she seemed earnest.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes,” I lied with a smile. “Would you like to stay for tea?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
I nodded and turned to the maid, who quickly went to fetch it. I waved him to the chairs. “Please.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
In truth, I could not wait for him to leave. But under my mother’s eyes, I could not refuse his company now.
“I did not have the chance to inquire earlier, but you said you were in Drust last summer? Do you like it there?”
“It is far too uncivilized for my liking, so overrun by nature. I only go when forced,” he answered with pomposity.
