Page 12 of The Misfortunate Miss Farthington
“Mr. Grant…” She wet her lips and glanced over his shoulder toward the captain and his wife. “If you’re concerned that I am suffering from heartache in some way…” Her gaze met his with that resounding jolt he now knew to expect. “I am not.”
His chest loosened with relief. “I am glad to hear it.”
She smiled. “And I’m glad that you are glad.”
“What’s that?” Miss Farthington’s aunt leaned over toward them and shouted the question and Miss Farthington pulled away from him with a jerk.
It was only then he realized they’d been leaning in toward one another, drawn together like magnets.
“Oh, er…” Miss Farthington started.
“I was just telling your niece how much I admire her home,” he finished for her.
“Oh dear me, yes,” her aunt said, following his gaze up toward the intricate molding and the oil painting on the far wall. “My sister always did have good taste. It comes from our mother, no doubt…”
Miss Farthington grinned at him as her aunt chattered on about their mother’s excessively fine taste, and her cousin gave him a smile that made him feel unnervingly transparent.
He didn’t have another chance to talk to Miss Farthington again until after dinner, but he was able to watch her across the table and listen to her warm, soothing voice with joy after hearing from her own lips that she wasn’t hurt by the cad sitting to her left. Though, after listening to him speak and watching the way he attended to his wife, it was rather difficult to continue thinking of him as a cad.
The captain’s wife leaned over to speak to him at dinner. “I do hope you’ll tell us more about your recent studies, Mr. Grant,” she said with a smile. “Miss Farthington has spoken so well of you, I am rather intimidated to be in your presence.”
He smiled and his heart tripped as he caught the mischievous look Mrs. Lorimer sent down the table to Miss Farthington.
He didn’t miss the way Miss Farthington widened her eyes and made a funny little cutting gesture in the other woman’s direction.
If one didn’t know any better, one would think the two women were friends.
Mrs. Lorimer leaned in toward him when everyone else was speaking. “Have you heard the story of how Miss Farthington became my favorite person in the world?”
He grinned, enjoying the other woman’s teasing tone. “I must admit, I have not.”
She cast a warm look in her husband’s direction before lowering her voice. “I’ve known my husband since we were children, you see. And for the longest time we were friends. Very dear friends.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” She smiled at him brightly. “I went along with my brother’s plan to marry me off to the Duke of Mandrick, unaware that my poor Anthony was heartbroken at the thought of it.”
“Ah.” Richard’s brows arched. Now he really did see. Or he was starting to, at least.
“Miss Farthington was a good friend to us both at the time. The dearest and most wonderful friend.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” he said. What surprised him was that this elegant, posh young lady was telling him all this.
But then her eyes narrowed slightly. “Which is why I want her to be happy. As happy as I am. Do you see what I mean?”
“Er…”No, he could have said. But he didn’t have the chance.
Their hostess’s voice interrupted them. “’Tis a pity the Duke and Duchess of Mandrick will not be in town for our ball, is it not, Mrs. Lorimer?”
“Yes, I’m certain my cousin would have loved to be a part of the fun,” Mrs. Lorimer agreed easily. “Felicity and His Grace are enjoying their time abroad, however.”
“I dare say the Earl of Yardley will be sorry they’re not here as well,” she continued. “He’s been invited, of course. You’re acquainted with him as well, are you not?”
There was more than a hint of wheedling in their hostess’s voice. She was seeking information on this earl.
The Earl of Yardley.The name alone had Richard tensing in his seat, his gaze searching out Miss Farthington for her reaction.
She continued to eat her meal, unperturbed. It was clear her mother had high hopes for a match with the Earl of Yardley. But was that what she wanted?
