Page 9 of A Lady's Curves
With a slow curtsy, Ann says, “A pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
Mother studies Ann. “Everton Domestic Society? Are you not the daughter of Sir Niles Wittman?”
“I am.” Ann’s cheeks pinken, but she keeps her gaze direct.
Tapping her closed fan against her palm, Mother narrows her gaze. “You are assisting my son?”
“I hired?—”
Mother puts up a palm, calling for my silence. “I asked Miss Wittman.”
It’s a complete surprise when Ann’s lips pull up in a gentle smile. She folds her gloved hands together at her waist. “His lordship needed a temporary steward as well as someone to help with the season for your granddaughter. I have been hired for those purposes.”
“Louisa is here?” She looks around the ballroom and when she sees Louisa talking to the Marquis of Barton, Mother’s face transforms into a joyful smile. “Isn’t she beautiful? However did you get her away from the pianoforte?”
In a soft voice for Mother’s ears only, Ann says, “I told her there were men who also love music. I hope she’ll find amatch that will make her happy in whatever life she chooses.”
Mother smiles with love shining in her eyes. “It’s possible. I loved the previous Earl of Kendall very much.”
Ann steps back as if again taking a servant’s position.
I don’t like it even though I know it is expected. I file the name of her father away to ask her about at some other time.
Mother snaps out of her expression of love for Louisa and faces Ann. “Do not turn her into an Everton Lady or whatever you call yourselves. You should have married while you had the chance. I’m old enough to remember your first season, Miss Ann Wittman, or should I say Lady Ann?”
While there is no change in Ann’s mild expression, the fire goes out of her eyes. “I was hired to help the young lady find an advantageous and happy match. If that is possible, I will do exactly that.”
Louisa ends the conversation by appearing and greeting her grandmother with affection. “I didn’t know you would be here, Grandmama. Four gentlemen have signed my dance card.” She’s more excited about the prospect than I would have expected.
“How very good. Let me see who they are.” Mother gushes over the card with Louisa.
The two cross to a group of ladies with their mothers.
I move to stand beside Ann. “I apologize for my mother. She is protective of Mae and her grandchildren.”
“No need for an apology, my lord.” She fidgets with her gloves. “Is your mother not protective of you as well?”
Is she? I give the idea some thought. “I believe she used to worry about me, but perhaps sees me as a lost cause now.” I gaze across the room and find the object of our conversation staring back.
Mother’s eyebrows rise and she studies Ann for a longmoment before the conversation with a stern-looking woman in a peach gown pulls her attention.
“What did she mean when she said you had the chance to marry?” It’s none of my business, but I can’t help myself.
With a sigh, Ann says, “It is a long and uninteresting story, my lord. Perhaps one day when we are very bored, I will regale you with the folly of my youth and you will share your past with me.”
Part of me wants to sway her from knowing any of what I did in the past. However, I don’t push the idea aside as I might normally. “I look forward to that day, Lady Ann.” With a bow, I cross to see what Mother and Louisa are conspiring about. Mae will never forgive me if I let our mother have too much say in any part of her daughter’s season.
An hour later, I’m watching Louisa dance with her second partner. He’s a skinny young man with red hair and a long nose. I check the potted tree where Ann has been hiding for the entire night, only to find the space empty.
A tall blonde woman steps into my view. Her hair is elaborately curled on the top of her head and her bright blue eyes are very wide. She is admittedly very pretty. “Lord Kendall, you may not remember me.”
Mind elsewhere, I attempt to focus on the woman; she does look familiar. “Forgive me, madam, I am at a loss.”
Her smile brightens and it’s easy to find her pleasing to look at. “When I was twelve, you saved me from a horse that had gone wild. I am Lady Rebbecca Dunbar.” She curtsies.
I bow. “I do remember you. It was at your father’s estate and the groom had put you on a horse not suitable for riding byanyone, let alone a child. I’m glad to see you are fully recovered from the incident.”
“It was eight years ago, my lord. I never did recover from seeing you galloping across the field like a madman and sweeping me off of that horse. I was certain I would die that day.” She shivers and it seems genuine to the memory of a very close call.
