Page 22 of Shining Knight
As servants began to bring trays of sandwiches, biscuits and tea into the drawing room, another carriage rolled up the drive.
Her eyes found Graham’s and she wondered if he had heard the countess announce the other guests. He raised his brows then winked at her in understanding. It was nice to have a friend who understood her. She would miss him so when they both married. She tried not to let her sudden sadness show on her face.
Lord and Miss Ravenhill entered and polite greetings were made all around before the gentlemen took themselves off for a game of billiards.
Eugenia would give just about anything she owned to join the gentlemen instead of sitting here with the ladies. She could already feel the icy stares from Kitty Ravenhill and the assessing ones from the countess. It was hard not to squirm and fidget.
“When are you coming to London, Lady Emily?”
The earl’s young sister looked at her mama.
“Perhaps next Season, when Perth has married. I do not care for the social whirl.”
“That is too bad,” Kitty Ravenhill remarked. “It would be much more fun to have you there.”
Lady Emily smiled. “I am sure you willtakethis Season, Kitty, but selfishly I hope you will still be there.”
“Even if I marry,” Kitty said, casting a sideways glance at Eugenia. “I will always have time for you. I do not plan to be tucked away in the country, never to be seen again.”
Of that, Eugenia had no doubt.
“And how do you feel about Town, Lady Eugenia?” Lady Emily asked softly.
How to answer that?If she were honest, she would call it a fickle beast. “I think it has a great deal to offer,” she answered cautiously instead, “but there are many more restrictions than in the country.” Eugenia hated that she had to be careful with every word.
Lady Emily pursed her lips prettily. She was the quintessential picture of a dainty and perfect lady.
Why, Eugenia wondered, would Perth be interested in her? It was certainly a conundrum. She seemed to be the opposite of what he was looking for. Did he not realize what she was really like? Perhaps this house party would enlighten him, but she was determined not to give him a disgust of her, at any rate.
“Have you any earnest suitors, Miss Ravenhill?” the countess asked.
“I have had six marriage proposals so far, but my brother is giving me until the end of the year to choose.”
“How fortunate for you,” the countess remarked and Eugenia was not certain whether it was a look of approval or disdain.
Eugenia sat awkwardly, waiting for the next question. The countess could hardly ask about her suitors, now could she? Eugenia did not think mentioning how many offers of marriage her brothers had turned down last year would be quite the right thing to say, either.
“Oh, look, here come Farnsworth and his daughter,” Lady Hambridge remarked.
Eugenia was happy for any diversion.
“Lady Augusta is his youngest,” her aunt added.
The countess went out to greet them and brought them back into the drawing room. Introductions were made, and the duke made a point of bending over her hand and kissing the air above it. She tried not to blush, but he must have sensed her discomfort, for he winked at her. Or could he tell how uncomfortable she was in a drawing room full of women? She would have to beg Graham to find a way for her to do something outdoors with the gentlemen. Otherwise, she would stick out like the complete fraud she was. She curtsied deeply and rose, only to be looking into the eyes of Lady Augusta, who cast a look of exasperation at the duke which Eugenia could only hope no one else witnessed. It certainly made her want to crawl into a hole and hide.
*
Graham could nothelp but wonder how Eugenia was faring. He had not missed her look of despair when the gentlemen left for the billiards room.
She was such a conundrum. She loved dresses and bright colors, but she truly did not know how to be a lady.
“Do you have any good shooting to be had down here?” Sir Martin asked.
“Not as fine as up north, to be sure, but there is some decent grouse on occasion,” Perth answered amiably. “I had thought we might go for a ride in the morning. Perhaps you might care to keep a look out?”
Several of the gentlemen murmured their approval.
“My sister wishes to have a picnic on the beach, if the weather holds,” Perth added.
