Page 18 of Shining Knight
Her aunt frowned.
“Before you say a word, I have no intention of allowing Ravenhill to court me. He was one of the onesthe herdscared away last Season.”
“I thought so,” her aunt remarked. “His reputation is as black as his name.”
Had not Eugenia thought the same thing about his sister the day before?
“As long as you do not encourage him, then he should not be a problem,” she added.
“I did not even speak with him yesterday. His sister tried to warn me away from Mr. Tinsley. I told her that was preposterous.”
“And why is that?” Her aunt looked offended.
“Why does everyone keep asking me that or insinuating that something is possible between us? He is my only friend left in Town now that Sybil has married. He’s like one of my brothers!” Eugenia could not believe she was having to explain.
“Well, he is one of the most handsome men in Town.”
Eugenia wrinkled her face. That was true. But so were her brothers.
“And he is apparently considering taking a wife.”
Also true.
“And one cannot underestimate the value of friendship. That, my dear, is the true key to happiness in marriage.”
Much though Eugenia did not want to agree, the last week had shown her how much friendship mattered. Two days of being at odds with Graham had been awful. “The point is moot, Aunt, because Graham could never think of me as more than a brat little sister.”
“If you say so.” Her voice indicated she thought anything but.
“Besides, I thought you were on Farnsworth’s side,” Eugenia argued.
She had been picking at the embroidery on her coverlet while watching another raindrop slide down the window. Her aunt sighed dreamily and Eugenia swung her gaze to her aunt’s face.
“He is still very handsome, but now I cannot want him for you. Not that he is in his dotage—Alistair is the very picture of health– but he does have a parcel of nephews who could very well inherit and I do not want you to feel pressured into the match when the fact is he does have heirs and he will age sooner than you.”
“Then why did Rowley give his blessing?”
“Who can say? I imagine he could hardly not give it if age was the only objection.”
There was yet another knock on the door and Stevens entered.
This time she held no flowers, thank goodness. She bobbed a curtsy. “Forgive me, my lady, but I did happen to discover who was invited to the house party.”
Aunt Hambridge gave a nod for her to speak.
“His Grace, the Duke of Farnsworth, Mr. Petersham, Sir Martin Hardy, and Mr. Tinsley. A few guests are coming in from the country, but I could not discover who.”
“There is a noticeable lack of ladies,” her aunt remarked.
“There have to be some. He could hardly only invite me.”
“True enough. I think if those are the gentleman, they are harmless enough. I am surprised by Farnsworth being included.”
“It would not be sporting of Perth if he did not invite the competition,” Eugenia said in a mocking voice.
Her aunt ignored her and stood up. “I will send our acceptance and then I am going to play cards with Lady Mottram.”
Eugenia relaxed when her aunt shut the door. Mayhap she could lock it and relax for the rest of the day. She certainly did not want to think about what her aunt had said about Graham, but the thoughts kept going through her mind and would not leave, much though she wished them to perdition.
