Page 18 of Snapdragons
“No gentleman has ever found me intriguing enough to court,” Penelope said, “so I don’t have any experience with how it is undertaken. I have seen wooing from a distance. There were often flowers involved.”
A little humor eased the suspicion in Violet’s eyes. “And extremely emotional odes dedicated to beguiling eyes and luscious hair.”
“Am I expected to write Niles poetry?” She didn’t know whether to laugh or be horrified.
“And beg his hand for the supper dance at a ball,” Violet added, her smile growing.
Warming to the exercise, Penelope said, “I could invite him to go for a drive in my impressive curricle.”
“Only if it isveryimpressive.”
In the midst of the laughter that followed, the gentlemen joined them.
“I would ask if you were laughing at us,” Lord Jonquil said, “but I suspect I know the answer.”
With an air of coyness, Violet said, “If the lot of you weren’t so laughable, we wouldn’t be forced into it.”
Mr. Barrington reached his wife’s side. “How grateful I am that you endure us.”
“Endureus?” Mr. Layton scoffed. “They, I haven’t the least doubt, have been in here plotting against us.”
Penelope widened her eyes in an expression of mock offense. “Plotting? We would never!”
Liam, whose gaze had been darting between Mr. Layton and Niles, moved swiftly to Penelope’s side. “You aren’t actually plotting anything are you?” he asked in a nervous whisper. “We do not claim standing high enough to make ourselves overly familiar like this.”
“They all realize I’m simply joining in their jest.” Penelope matched his volume. She looked quickly at Niles, standing a bit apart from the others, and saw in his face what appeared to be sincere amusement. “No need to worry.”
Liam didn’t look at all relieved. “They claim a rung on Society’s ladder that we can’t even see. Please don’t embarrass us, Penelope.”
“I think you are overreacting,” she insisted.
Niles chose a seat a little apart from the others, yet there was nothing in his chosen location or his demeanor that indicated he was upset or uncomfortable. And none of his friends appeared to be surprised by his chosen location nor made any effort to change it. This was, apparently, a very common arrangement.
He seemed to feel most comfortable with a little bit of space. She could appreciate that.
“We have been doing a little plotting of our own,” Lord Jonquil said. “What would you ladies think of an outing tomorrow?”
“That would depend very much on the outing,” Violet answered.
“A hog farm,” Mr. Barrington said dryly. “We will be mucking slop.”
Mr. Layton shuddered. “Do not suggest such a thing, even in jest.”
Across the way, Niles grinned. Something in the genuine delight in his expression pulled a smile to Penelope’s face as well. Liam watched the group with a look of earnest uncertainty. Did he think he wasn’t invited?
“Hamblestead has a lovely market cross,” Mr. Layton said. “And the innkeeper at the Green Badger quite outdoes himself with the meals he serves. It would make for an enjoyable way to pass the day.”
“And there are ruins of an old abbey nearby,” Lord Jonquil said eagerly. “A fine place to explore.” He turned to Niles. “Are you game for an adventure?”
“Always,” Niles said without hesitation, one of only a half dozen words he’d spoken all night. But it was an additional insight. Niles Greenberry was very quiet, not entirely honest, surprisingly athletic, and “always” eager for an adventure.
“We could ask the innkeeper to pack a meal in a hamper,” Mr. Layton suggested, “then enjoy a meal on the banks of the lake if the weather is cooperative.”
“There is a lake?” Violet seemed particularly pleased by the idea. She was, apparently, fond of water.
“A lovely one,” Mr. Layton said. “It is quite deep in some places, and the water looks nearly black, but in the shallower areas, it is a delightful shade of blue.”
“That sounds gorgeous,” Penelope said.
