Page 71 of The Viscount's Seduction
And then they’d had, above all things, a family meal, James and his brother piling on the bacon and buttered toast, waited on by the spritely butler who looked to be one of Shaldon’s old spies. And wouldn’t there be a houseful of them here?
“Don’t worry, Sirena.” Perry turned another valve, and they watched the water drain away. “Father is not going to let any harm come to you. He is so happy to have you as a daughter.”
And how could that be? She didn’t believe it for a second. “The attack on Mr. Gibson was not so serious, was it? It was his lordship’s way of getting us to the house.”
When Perry pushed her glasses higher on her nose and smiled, she looked much younger, than her years, which couldn’t be many less than Sirena’s. “That sounds like Father. But you would not mind so much, would you? It wasn’t quite the crack of dawn when he sent Charley to you. In fact, Charley had even been abed, and he’s one to be out all night. I know because I’m an early riser. I heard him arrive this morning from a night spent carousing at one of his gaming hells.” She cocked her head and touched a finger to her chin. “Or perhaps he was with the contessa last night.”
“Who?”
“His latest lover,” she whispered. “She’s a dragon, but I imagine he doesn’t notice because he’s only trying to get her to reveal state secrets. Father took us to the opera once and I saw her watching us all night through her opera glasses.”
“Trying to get Charley’s attention?”
Perry shrugged. “Or Bakeley’s. Or Father’s. Or perhaps she was sneering at me and my spectacles.”
“Do you mind?”
“No of course not.”
She had spoken too quickly. “Can you see perfectly through them?”
“Yes.”
“And can you see at all without them?”
“Yes, of course. It’s just, er, much clearer, and I’m in the habit of wearing them.”
“So if a gentleman comes up to dance with you, you can see his face clearly?”
Perry led her back into the bedchamber. “The only gentlemen who ask me to dance are my brothers. I suppose I’m too tall for the others, or they fear I’ll tread on their toes.”
Sirena laughed. “Or they fear you’ll see too much—the spot of wine on their neck cloth, or the rip in their sleeve seam that their valet didn’t repair, or the bags under their eyes from swilling brandy all night.”
“Or the pustules on their chins.” Perry giggled.
Sirena followed her into the fawn-colored bedchamber. “Or the stalk of celery between their teeth.”
Perry laughed out loud and leaned against the bed post. “Oh, you must come live here, Sirena. You must. Who knows how long Father will be around? He’s just beginning to appreciate Bakeley and to listen to him. And he’s so looking forward to more grandchildren, especially an heir.”
“Will he be happy if I produce a girl?”
“Most assuredly, but he’ll tell you to keep trying for a boy.” She closed her mouth, colored brightly, and then burst into more giggles.
This was not the staid girl Sirena had seen the night of the musicale, and wasn’t it wonderful? “I’ll need to find a good dressmaker.”
“Why, the dress you married in yesterday was perfect.”
“Barton made that, Lady Jane’s abigail. I can’t impose upon her. Now with me gone, she’ll be fetching and hauling like never before.” She could not imagine how the ladies would cope. It was sad to think of Lady Jane reduced yet again.
“Was your work really so...so...”
“So servile? Yes, but no, because I didn’t mind it. It was like being a poor relation living with a kindly older sister.”
Perry’s brows drew together. “Who is also poor.”
“Well, yes. But very proud, so do not say I said it.”
“It’s a wonder Lord Cheswick doesn’t provide for her better.” Perry’s frown deepened. “This house is very large. Three times the size of most London townhouses.”
