Page 9 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
“Please, take a seat, my lord,” Mr. Montague invited him warmly. “I regret that Jonathan and I cannot stay long—I must urgently travel to London on business, and my son will accompany me. But I trust you will be well cared for by my dear wife and lovely daughter.” He smiled at Sebastian. Sebastian nodded.
“I am sure, sir,” he managed. He glanced over at the older woman, who looked tense, her smile bright and forced.
“Would you like some tea, my lord?” she asked politely.
“Please,” Sebastian said sincerely. His eyes were dry from the warm day, his head pounding from lack of water.
Mrs. Montague poured him some tea and he sipped it gratefully. She poured for the other guests and Sebastian glanced sideways at Miss Montague. She was sitting between her parents, looking down at the table. She had so far said nothing, outside of greeting him, and Sebastian wished she would look up. He had barely had a chance to get an impression of her.
“A good day for riding, eh?” Mr. Montague said cheerily. “You ride, my lord?”
“I do,” Sebastian answered a little uncomfortably. He was one of the better riders in his circles, and his enjoyment of thesport was well known in theTon.
“Fine! Fine.” Mr. Montague exclaimed. “Well, it’s only an hour to London. I suppose I should ride. But the coach is much more comfortable. Eh, Jonathan?”
Jonathan shot his father a look and Sebastian wanted to smile. He didn’t like the fellow overmuch, if first impressions were accurate reflections of a person; but he could have some sympathy. If his father had shot him such an uncomfortable question in unknown company, he would have felt the same way. He glanced at the man, guessing him to be perhaps six years his junior.
“I confess, I prefer to take the coach to London,” Sebastian said in reply. “The road is not the best for riding.”
“Quite so.” Mr. Montague looked at the clock. “Well, Jonathan, I suppose we ought to depart, eh? I will let you get on with your tea, my lord.” He smiled at Sebastian, who stood as the two other men exited the room. He shook their hands, and then sat down, feeling extremely awkward, at the table with the two ladies.
“So,” he said, clearing his throat nervously, aware of two green-eyed gazes affixed on him. “I wonder if you are both fond of walks in the countryside?”
It was the only topic of conversation that came to him, and he grimaced. It was a rather banal thing to say, but better, surely, than sitting around staring at one another, each waiting for the other to get the conversation started.
Miss Montague said nothing, but remained staring at her hands, her eyes demurely downcast. Her mother favored him with a warm look.
“I am very fond of walking, Lord Glenfield, as is my daughter. Are you not, my dear?” she asked, turning to Miss Montague. The young lady looked up, focusing on her mother and not even glancing at him.
“Yes, Mama. I am.”
Her gaze moved to her hands again.
Sebastian bit his lip. Such intense shyness was something he’d never been faced with before, and he had no idea what to do. Most of the women in his circles were bold and without inhibitions. It made life much easier all round, since he didn’t have to be the one to think of anything.
“So,” he began again, uncomfortable. “I suppose you must walk a lot in the countryside. The estate must have many paths and tracks for walking, not so?” He looked at Miss Montague with an inquiring stare.
She glanced up at him, briefly, then her gaze shot back to the table.
“Yes,” she answered.
Beside her, her mother gave a soft laugh. “We do have many walking trails. Think you that Lord Glenfield would enjoy riding on our estate?” She asked her daughter. Her daughter blinked, frowning.
“I do not know. Mayhap, Mama.”
Sebastian tried not to stare in surprise as she stopped talking and the drawing room was again uncomfortably silent. She had barely even looked at him and she clearly had no interest in talking, even when prompted. Mrs. Montague smiled.
“I do wonder where that tea has got to. If you excuse me, I will go and ask Mrs. Mayhew if she has everything in readiness for us.”
She stood and went to the door. Sebastian stood politely—it would be extremely rude to sit when a lady was standing. Then, as he sank back into his chair again, he drew a deep breath. He was here with Miss Montague, entirely alone.
He glanced at her, feeling his brow crease nervously.
“Um...” he began awkwardly. He felt the need to say something—he'd never been able to bear long silences, eventhough he’d already learned by now that talking to her was not exactly simple. “I wonder if you paint, or draw?”
“I do both, but not very well,” Miss Montague replied at once. Her gaze on his was green, frank and unabashed. He tensed, but this time with astonishment.
“Oh,” he said, feeling himself flush. It was good to have her talk to him. “I am sure you’re too modest, Miss Montague.” He smiled at her encouragingly, like he might with a shy child.
