Page 18 of The Best of Friends
“It is a rare and wonderful thing. I am blessed to have friends just like that.”
“Charlie’s friends are very kind to me as well. His friend Mr. Comstock is having his first Season in London, and next Season, his brother will be dictating all he does. And my parents have already said they won’t bring me to London in the future since I have not had any success in the Marriage Mart. So Mr. Comstock and I devised the most wonderful game to make this Season better than it would otherwise be. He is also very kind to me, and he tells me I’m brilliant, which I think is a wonderful thing.”
Mr. Layton smiled. “What is this game?”
“We will try to think of things our families would not choose for us to do during the Season, and we will do those things. Whoever does the most things by the end of the Season will be the winner.” She quickly added, “But we, of course, wouldn’t do anything wrong or inappropriate or illegal.”
“I could not think otherwise.” He smiled kindly. “Who is currently in the lead?”
“I don’t know. I earned a point by attending a chamber orchestra performance last night and a point for choosing purple fabric for my dress. I don’t know how many points he has.”
Mr. Layton’s kind and avuncular smile slowly shifted to something a little mischievous. “Once we have accomplished the introductions to your family,Ihave an idea, Miss Mullins, that I believe will earn you a point in your competition with Mr. Comstock.”
“Is it something I will enjoy?”
“I can confidently say that you will.”
“And it is not wrong or inappropriate or illegal?”
“I would never suggest anything that could be described in any of those terms.”
She nodded and smiled broadly, anticipating the joy of telling Toss that she had earned another point. “I cannot wait to hear what it might be.”
Chapter Eight
Daria could hear Father andMother’s talking as she walked with Mr. Layton toward the sitting room. She could not entirely prevent her steps from slowing.
“We cannot continue to delay,” Father said. “The situation will only grow worse.”
“But we must see Tobias well-established,” Mother said. “Everything depends upon that.”
“Even that will fall to pieces should we not move forward as we are supposed to.”
Daria was too embarrassed to look at Mr. Layton. She had already confessed to him that her presence in London was contingent upon helping her brother become a social success. Hearing her parents speak of it so plainly was a little humiliating.
She and Mr. Layton stepped into the sitting room. Though he was meant to do so upon the entrance of any lady, Father didn’t rise. He only glanced at her before reaching for a book to read. But an almost immediate second glance brought him immediately to his feet. It was not a sudden remembrance of the gentlemen’s code, she suspected, but the realization that someone other than his daughter had also arrived.
“Mr. Layton,” Daria said, “might I make known to you my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mullins.”
Mr. Layton offered a small bow.
“Father, Mother, this is Mr. Layton of Pledwick Manor in Yorkshire.”
“We know where he is from,” her mother muttered to her under her breath. Daria ought to have realized they would know of him and where his home was.
Mother indicated Mr. Layton should be seated. He did so after Daria and her mother were seated once more. No one could fault his manners.
“To what do we owe the honor of this visit?” Father asked.
“Mr. Layton was kind enough to see that Jenny and I returned home after my appointment at Miss Martinette’s.”
“He did not ask you,” Mother quietly corrected. “Do try to think before you speak, Daria.”
Shedidtry, though she knew it did not always help. But neither did arguing with her parents. So she kept her objections to herself.
“To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Mr. Layton?” Father repeated his question, making clear to whom he addressed it and from whom he hoped for a response.
“I was fortunate enough to be in a position to see to it your daughter and Jenny returned home after Miss Mullins’s appointment at Miss Martinette’s.” Though his tone was utterly benign, there was a pointedness to his answer. “As your daughter said.”
