Page 6 of The Mysterious Miss Lydia
Lydia hugged her book to her chest with a sigh. Until then she had Demetrius and Elsbeth, and the hundreds of other books that filled her father’s library.
“Oh, look who it is, Miss Farthington,” Mary cried.
Lydia and Miss Farthington looked to where Mary was pointing.
The brazen brunette didn’t seem to realize that perhaps pointing and shouting were not the most subtle way to call one’s attention to a cluster of handsome gentlemen.
“Oh my,” Miss Farthington murmured. “It’s him.”
Whohimwas, Lydia wasn’t entirely certain. She assumed they were all as awe struck as she was by the tall, broad-shouldered gentleman who stood in the midst of the small cluster of men.
Oh my, indeed.
Her heart beat a little faster and her lungs forgot how to function. And then, just like always...her tongue felt a hundred times thicker.
It had always been like this, her entire life. With her poor health, she’d seen blessedly few people during her childhood. Mostly just her immediate family and their close friends. So perhaps it was no wonder that as she grew older, strangers left her tongue-tied and her mind a terrifying blank. But the older she grew, the more acute her symptoms became.
Especially around excessively handsome gentlemen.
Handsome gentlemen were well and good in her novels, but in real life?
She tore her gaze away from the man with his thick, dark hair, and his strong features. His jaw, nose, and cheekbones like something to be found on a statue.
Like he’d been cut from marble.
She didn’t realize she was frowning over the matter until Eloise turned to her and Miss Farthington with an arched brow. “Goodness, I didn’t expect you both to look so irritated at the sight of handsome men.”
Mary grinned. “Miss Farthington, don’t say you’re not pleased to run into Mr. Grant.” To Eloise and Lydia she added, “We met him before at Lady Dabney’s salon. He’s a brilliant scientist.” Her face lit with excitement. “Perhaps we should go say hello.”
Miss Farthington made an odd sound in her throat, like she’d gone to protest and stopped herself, perhaps.
Lydia blinked in surprise. It was one thing for her to be alarmed at the prospect of approaching a group of handsome gentlemen. But the lovely and accomplished Miss Farthington?
It seemed both Lydia and Miss Farthington were spared the awkward encounter as Eloise grimaced. “Mary, we really ought to get back. The carriage will be arriving to take us to the dinner at the Maxwells this evening.”
Mary’s face fell. “Oh yes. I suppose I lost track of time.”
Lydia felt a wistful smile tug at her lips. It was rather lovely to see her friends settle into married life so contentedly.
Actually, it was rather lovely to see her friends. Period. She’d never really had friends before the School of Charm, and it was still a little overwhelming to be around people who actually took notice of her.
Overwhelming in a good way. Usually.
“Lydia, I cannot wait to meet your parents and see the home you grew up in,” Mary said as she leaned forward to kiss Lydia’s cheek. “The masquerade will be delightful, just wait and see.”
Eloise wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “And we will all be there to ensure that you enjoy yourself as well.”
Lydia’s smile faltered. Her friends really were too kind.
Much too kind.
In that sense, sometimes they were overwhelming in a not-so-good way.
Up until recently it was only her parents who nudged her and prodded her in an attempt to get her to speak more.
Now she had three lovely friends who seemed to have made it their mission as well.
When the two girls left, Lydia turned to Miss Farthington, surprised to see that she looked distracted. Her gaze drifted back to the cluster of men and then away quickly.
