Page 20 of The Best of Friends
“Welcome,” he said, bending a bit of a bow toward them. “Please allow me to make introductions.”
A quick glance around the room showed her she didn’t know anyone but him, and only one person in the room was of her generation.
“Friends,” he said, “I am pleased to make known to you Mr. Tobias Mullins and Miss Mullins.” He motioned Daria and her brother toward the nearest couple. “This is Lord and Lady Aldric Benick.” The next couple. “Mr. and Mrs. Barrington.” The next. “Mr. and Mrs. Greenberry.” And the next. “Mr. and Mrs. Fortier.”
“Oh.” Daria had a sudden realization upon hearing their name. “You invested in Thimbleby.” That was a holding of Scott’s, one he and Gillian were working very hard to make profitable, something far more likely thanks to the investments of a few people, including, apparently, this couple.
The beautiful Mrs. Fortier smiled. “We have,oui.”
“Gillian is so baffled by your kindness toward her, and she swears she doesn’t know you at all. She’s grateful but... baffled. As are we all. Grateful and baffled, I mean.”
The woman’s gaze turned a bit searching, as if piecing together some mystery. “You are one of the Huntresses?”
Daria nodded.
“Then we are doubly pleased to meet you, Miss Mullins.” Her English was impeccable, and her French accent, while obvious, was not difficult to decipher.
“Because I am one of the Huntresses?”
Mrs. Fortier nodded but offered no explanation.
“Why should that make you additionally grateful to know me?” Daria realized Mr. Layton and Tobias were watching her, Tobias with a look of quiet admonition. “Oh dear. I wasn’t meant to interrupt the introductions. I am always doing these things wrong.”
“No harm done, Miss Mullins, I assure you.” Mr. Layton motioned to the final person in the room; a gentleman likely eight or nine years older than she was and stunningly handsome. “Mr. and Miss Mullins, this is Mr. Colm Greenberry.”
Daria glanced back at the couples she’d just been introduced to. “And those are your parents?”
“They are.” He smiled in the very moment she looked back at him. The man had dimples, which she thought terribly unfair. He was handsome enough already. She would have some difficulty not staring at him. Fortunately for her composure, he turned to Tobias. “Mr. Mullins, it is nice to meet you. I’ve heard you spoken of the past couple of days and had hoped to make your acquaintance.”
Tobias took a quick look around the room, his expression of confusion growing. “Who has spoken of me?”
“The dowager Countess of Lampton.”
At that, the two young gentlemen launched into a discussion of acquaintances they had in common and their various interests. Daria felt hopeful that Tobias had found a new friend.
“I thought the two of them might get on well,” Mr. Layton said to her.
“My parents would certainly approve. They brought me to London specifically to help Tobias make friends, but that means I won’t earn a point for tonight.”
Mr. Layton smiled very kindly. “Have faith, Miss Mullins.”
“Is this to do with your question about poetry?”
He nodded, looking almost as if he were a little proud of her. “It is. You indicated your parents’ indifference to poetry, and tonight’s gathering is an annual one dedicated entirely to extremely entertaining poetry.”
The butler announced another arrival. “The dowager Countess of Lampton.” Then a second unexpected name. “Mr. Thomas Comstock.”
Her heart swelled on the instant, beating a rhythm of eager anticipation. She enjoyed his company and thought of him often when they were apart, but she’d not expected this feeling of bone-deep delight at seeing him again.
Upon seeing Daria, Toss burst out laughing, his eyes twinkling with enjoyment. Mater looked at Mr. Layton and shook her head with a silent laugh of her own.
“It seems, Digby,” Mater said, “we had the same idea this evening.”
“Apparently.”
Toss crossed to Daria. “Are you here to earn a point in our competition?”
“I am, though it seems it won’t profit me much, as you are receiving one as well.”
