Page 76 of Shining Knight
“Bravo, Tinsley!” She raised her cup in the air to salute, and tea sloshed over the back of the chair.
Eugenia took the moment to eat a biscuit, wondering why she did not laugh as she normally would have done.
“Why do you look so dismayed about it?” Her grandmother eyed her keenly.
“Because the truth is he does not really wish to marry me. He says he does, and that being friends will be more pleasant than most unions, but I fear I will give him naught but disappointment.”
“What would make you change your mind? I think it is an excellent match.”
Eugenia paused to think. What would change her mind? “I wish I could say. I see my brothers so content and I want what they have.”
“Humph! You have moonbeams in your head, gel.”
“I know it. That is why he deserves someone else.”
“Balderdash!” Granny slammed her teacup down in her saucer.
“Lady Emily Perth would be perfect for him. She is beautiful and demure, and I saw the interest in his eyes when he looked at her.”
“Gentlemen will look at anyone in a skirt that way. Some hide it better than others, but I assure you Tinsley has noticed you.” She leaned forward and whispered loudly. “Has he kissed you?”
Eugenia could feel her face burn with humiliation.
“He has, has he?” She nodded her head with a gleam in her eye. “I imagine it was glorious. He has that look about him.”
Eugenia could not answer.
“And that was not enough to allay your fears of your compatibility? Are you daft?”
“Perhaps I am.” Eugenia had thought her grandmother would understand, but apparently she was the only one who wanted more than a handsome face and a talent for kissing.
*
Graham was shockedby the decline he saw in his father when he arrived home. The change was enough so that he wondered if his father would survive until the new year. His mother and sister had not yet returned from France, but were expected any day.
He spent some time with his father, but the viscount slept for much of the day. Graham therefore studied the accounts with the steward, but they were in good order. How was he to be so close to Eugenia and unable to speak with her, to see her?
It would be difficult to convince her how much he wanted their marriage if he could not be near her. He debated ways to circumvent her edict, but he always talked himself out of it. It would be easy to visit The Grange on the pretense of seeing one of the brothers, but he did not want to push her.
He wondered whether to send letters or flowers. Is that not what he would do to woo any other lady?
But this was Eugenia. What would it take to convince her?
He had to treat her differently, not as if she were one of his friends. If they continued as they were, she might never be convinced.
The one thing he was certain of was that he could no longer stay holed up in the house; it was nearly devoid of life. The servants dared not make a sound and the sick room was unsettling at best.
He decided he had to do something, because the path to insanity lay between these walls. He called for Xerxes and mounted, giving the horse its head until they reached the village. His first call was at the baker’s shop, to see if he could arrange for some of Eugenia’s favorite biscuits to be delivered. He knew The Grange’s chef was very likely supplying the family with Edmund’s pastries of choice, but what of Eugenia?
It was a small village, but he was able to find a few items he thought she would like and had one particular thing in mind to give her at Christmas.
Flowers, sweets and bonnets… what else could he woo her with?
He stood on the High Street, pondering. He tried to think of other ladies and what they might desire.Jewels. Most definitely jewels. However, there was hardly a Rundell and Bridge in the small village of Clovelly. However, he had been remiss in not making a proper proposal or bestowing upon Eugenia a betrothal ring, and for that he would shop in the family vaults.
“Talking to yourself, Tinsley?”
Graham looked up to see Edmund walking towards him.
