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“You are quite right,” Peggy said with a sigh. “I apologise for my cousin. Since he has inherited my father’s place as Viscount, he seems to have little interest in things he does not consider his own business.”
Annie kept a tight hold of her friend, feeling the sadness grow worse, even as Peggy was trying to cover it up.
“Then it is time you had a new place to call home,” Annie said softly. To her surprise, her mother agreed with her.
“Absolutely. You should not have to live with a man like that. Especially one who not only doesn’t delight in your company but could so easily walk off from you. I shall be your chaperone instead tonight, dear. If you need anything, come see me.” With these words, Barbara beckoned the two of them to follow her deeper into the Almack’s assembly rooms.
Annie exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Peggy, both of them startled by the words.
“I did not think your mother was particularly fond of me,” Peggy whispered.
“She gives that impression to everyone. She would never see someone ill-treated, though.” Annie smiled as she followed her mother, impressed by the change.
“Now, who shall we find for the two of you to dance with tonight?” Barbara said, clasping her hands together. “I rather think we need to keep an eye out for Mr Adam Barton for you, Peggy. Your cousin impressed on me just the other day how important it is you find a match this Season.”
“No, indeed, that is not necessary to look out for Mr Barton.” Peggy spoke so quickly, that she earned a rather amused glance from Barbara, but Annie did not take note of it for long. She was too busy looking across the room, for her eyes had found one gentleman in particular startlingly easily in the crowd.
It was as if he were an actor on stage, for her eyes had gone straight to him, separating him from all the others there.
Lord Yeatman!
He was staring straight back at her, but rather than smiling at her, he winked, then he turned away. The look was a lingering one, but he eventually let it drop, and he moved his eyes from her as if she had been something interesting to look at for a few seconds only but was not enough to keep his attention.
What has changed?The thought burned in Annie as he walked away from her.
