AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter13
They didn’t go out that first night, something for which Mary was grateful.The last thing she needed was to run into her sister.It would happen soon, but she needed a little time to brace herself for their future meetings.
Edwina sent over her trunks, and her dresses had already been sent from the modiste to Amelia’s house.Amelia must have already informed Madame Argent about her change in address.
Lord Ashford didn’t call that first day, but he did the next.Along with a good number of guests for an afternoon tea party Amelia had already planned.
“I don’t think fear of seeing your sister should keep you at home,” her friend had said.“But for today we can have society come to us.”
And come they did.A revolving door of guests who took some light refreshments and mingled, then left to prepare for their evening entertainments.
Through it all, Ashford was a constant, steady presence.He seemed to know every man who came through the town house doors—or at least he acted as though he did.She was finding it next to impossible to remember people’s names five minutes after they’d been introduced.She blamed her scattered thoughts on the way her life had been completely upended.
She couldn’t blame Ashford for that fact.She’d agreed to his scheme knowing that Edwina would be upset.She’d never imagined her sister would actually try to force her to wed a man of her choosing, but now that she’d had some time to get over the shock, she realized she’d been naive.Edwina was never going to allow Mary to live with her and Lord Fairbanks forever.
She tried to distract herself, going out of her way to speak to all of the guests.But she couldn’t forget her sister’s criticisms, especially when she realized that Ashford’s gaze kept dropping to her mouth.He kept hovering around her, and she wondered if he was being so attentive because he felt responsible for her current circumstances.Her nerves were stretched taut, and finally she couldn’t hold back the question when she caught him looking at her mouth yet again.
“Why would my sister say my mouth is unseemly?”
Ashford’s eyes rose to meet hers, and within them she caught a flash of something she couldn’t identify.He almost looked guilty, as though she had caught him doing—or thinking—something he shouldn’t be.
“I apologize—”
“No,” she said, holding up a hand.She resisted the urge to grab the man by the shoulders and shake him.“I don’t want an apology; I want an answer to my question.”
Ashford closed his eyes for a moment.When he opened them again, he gave a curt nod.“All right, I’ll tell you, but not here.This isn’t the type of conversation one has in polite company.”
A zing of something Mary could only guess was anticipation surged through her.Finally she was going to get an answer to a question that had always puzzled her.She gave a nod of acceptance.
Their eyes met and held for several long moments.There was heat in Ashford’s gaze, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he felt the same sense of anticipation that she did.
“We’ll talk about this later.”There was a husky quality to his voice that caused a riot of sensation within her.When Ashford turned to leave, she realized he was going to put her off.
“My lord.”Her voice was loud enough now for others to hear.
He turned to face her again, one brow raised in question.When his eyes narrowed, she realized he was afraid she was going to ask her question to the room at large.But even she wasn’t brave enough for that.
“Lady Lowenbrock mentioned that her sister-in-law plans to make changes to the garden here as a gift to her brother.”
“I heard something about that.Apparently Lady Kerrick has become sought after for her skills in the area, even more so since she rarely accepts requests for her services.”
Mary nodded.“Exactly.I thought that perhaps we could ask Lord and Lady Lowenbrock to give us a tour of the gardens as they stand now.Then we’ll be in a better position to appreciate the improvements when they’re complete.”
His mouth firmed briefly before he nodded.Which told her everything she needed to know—that he’d hoped to avoid having this discussion with her altogether.
She pressed her advantage.“Give me just one moment to ask them if now would be a good time for the tour.”
His gaze settled on her, sending heat through her.“I am, as ever, at your service.”
Good heavens, he’d certainly come around quickly.She returned his smile, but as she turned to walk away, she realized he’d somehow gained the upper hand in their exchange.She might have surprised him with her unexpected question and her insistence that they have this conversation now, but he’d recovered quickly.
When she reached Amelia’s side, she pulled her friend aside and asked if she and her husband could escort her and Ashford through the gardens.
“I would like nothing better,” Amelia said.She lowered her voice before adding, “I know you’re planning something.”
Mary sighed.“I need to speak to Ashford alone.Perhaps you and Lowenbrock could allow us to fall back for a little bit on our walk.”
Amelia’s gaze roamed over her face.But if there was one thing living under her sister’s ever-present gaze had taught her, it was to keep her emotions hidden.
