Page 63 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
“It is not a laughing matter.” The pull at the right side of Al’s lips belied his words. “What’s worse, he has named them Roberta and Richarda.”
“You cannot be serious.”
“I am in earnest.”
“You mentioned the ridiculous name in hopes of dissuading him, didn’t you?”
Al rubbed the back of his neck and unsuccessfully tried to rein in his smile but it burst forth. “I did. I am heartily ashamed of myself.” He chuckled. “And yet Richarda might be my favorite name yet, born purely on the absurdity of it.”
They both laughed. When the room quieted, Al asked, “Do you think if I’d have led with that news Javenia would not have buried me deep in her black books again?”
The comment, usually said with a bit of mirth, came out strained. Tension about Al’s mouth and shoulders confirmed his true feelings.
Johnathan motioned for Al to follow him to the door. “Perhaps. But I believe it is jealousy that frightened her off.”
“Javenia? Jealous of what? Miss Giles?” Al’s expression lifted.
“Or you jealous of Javenia coming to visit me?”
Al sobered.
Johnathan locked gazes with him. “Perhaps one day you two will—”
“I need to be off.” Al swept the door open in front of them and motioned to the footman in the hall. “My coat and hat, please.” He turned back to Johnathan. “Thank you for commiserating with me on my acquisition of two more responsibilities after my father concedes defeat and gives up the ghost.”
“Any time, my friend. Please send my congratulations to your family.” Johnathan shook his head as Al sauntered out the door. He may be charming and handsome, but the man was an absolute dolt. If Susannah had given him half the indications of interest that Javenia gave Al, he’d be a happy man well on his way to the altar.
The knocker tapped on the front door and he wondered if Al might have forgotten something. When the door opened to reveal Miss Guthrie with her mother, he wished he’d had the forethought to make himself scarce. He could not refuse the visit now.
As he escorted the ladies to the parlor, he braced himself. His friend had made it out the door unscathed, not that Al would have minded small talk with ladies. But Johnathan dreaded it. Why did Al have all the luck?
Chapter 21
Today was the day. Only a few more minutes and they'd be leaving for Almack’s. Susannah touched the curls at her temple, smiling at herself in the entryway mirror. Having a well-trained lady’s maid was a luxury she did not have back in Kent.
She’d not been completely without help growing up. Her mother’s maid had helped her and Amanda dress until their mother’s passing, after which she retired from service, having served Susannah’s mother for over twenty years. For the last nine months their housekeeper Mrs. Stone or their maid of all work had assisted her.
What would it be like to have her own help?
Miss Wallace had spoken openly of her own lady’s maid, so she assumed the family was stable enough in their finances that should Mr. Wallace offer for her a lady’s maid might be appointed.
She stopped fussing in the mirror, astonished at her own thoughts. It was one thing to enjoy Mr. Wallace’s company, but quite another to consider him a candidate for marriage. He wasa fine man to be sure, and his conversation delighted her at every turn.
This week alone they’d attended the opera, Vauxhall Gardens, and even driven out during the fashionable hour. Perhaps his fulfillment of her long-held dreams had somehow won him a small place in her heart.
“Are you ready?”
Susannah turned to see Lady Stanford in a white gown trimmed with silver beads and her signature blue ribbon woven in her dark hair, a matching blue ribbon tied about her waist. A subtle bulge poked out under the ribbon, one she would have missed if she’d not known of Her Ladyship’s condition.
“You look lovely, Lady Stanford. How I wish my features were as striking as yours.”
Lady Stanford waved her compliment away. “You are beautiful in your own right, Miss Wayland. Please do not compare us. And I must say pink is definitely your color. How your hair shines tonight. I am sure no man will be able to keep his eyes off you.”
Susannah’s cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”
The butler helped them on with their cloaks and they were putting on gloves when Mr. Kendall entered from the back of the house, Sir Nathaniel following close behind. He stopped when he saw them both.
“Dear me, I forgot to attach my dress sword. Perhaps I should go retrieve it.” Both ladies peered at him, perplexed. “With two ladies as lovely as you both I might be forced to beat the men off with it.”
