Page 17 of Avoiding the Merry Viscount
If she didn’t know better, she might think the man knew her secret, but he couldn’t. She was reading far too much into his words. She wanted to roll her eyes, even though he would not understand why she had done so. Nor was he aware that she knew all too well what comforts he had in bed the previous evening, likely not his own.
“I slept well,” she said, giving him a polite smile.
“Brother,” Diana said, saving Lydia from another comment from the man, “have you given thought to who you will ask to pair with you in the morning’s activity?”
“Well, sister, I’m still deciding, as there are many fine choices, but I am giving thought to asking Miss Cary,” he said, turning his head toward Lydia. She glanced at him and saw his smug expression, as if he were waiting to see if she might express delight over him teasing that he might give her the honor of his presence as a partner. Some honor.
Lydia grinned at him. “My lord, I am certain Lady Billings would be quite put out. She seemed to desire your attention far more than I.”
The elder Snowdon and Diana bit back a laugh, and Diana had to resort to hiding behind her napkin. She wondered if they already knew about the arrangement he had with the woman.
“That’s all well and good, but I don’t wish to partner with Lady Billings,” he said, and she noticed his jaw clenched when he did so.
“Brother,” Grace said from across the table, “fix your cravat.” His youngest sister gave him a knowing look, and the rest of the Snowdonfamily fought laughter again. Lydia didn’t understand what was so funny, so she glanced at Viscount Snowdon’s cravat for some kind of clue, and it was only slightly tilted out of place. He straightened it and he took a bite of egg.
The way his jaw flexed when he chewed only made her more aware of the masculine lines of his face and his perfect, aristocratic nose. His lips were full, and she imagined they were quite soft. Great, she thought to herself. Even his chewing brought on wanton thoughts.
She wasn’t certain she could be trusted to be near the man, especially if she didn’t wish for him to keep appearing in her dreams. “Well, I’m not certain I will partake in the activity. Perhaps I shall set off on a ride about your estate.”
The elder Lord Snowdon rose from his chair. “If you all will excuse me.”
Diana glanced toward her father as he walked away and then to her brother, sadness marring her expression.
“I’ll go to him,” Elias said, dabbing his lips with his napkin and then setting it aside. He rose from his chair and hurried after his father.
“I’m sorry,” Lydia asked, confused at what had occurred. “Did I say something wrong?”
Diana gulped. “No, of course not,” she started. “It’s just that…”
“Our mother died from falling off her horse,” Grace said, finishing her sister’s thoughts. “I was just a baby.”
Lydia gasped, realizing her error.
“And today is the anniversary of her passing,” Diana said, the pain evident in her tone. “We lost her twelve years ago.”
Lydia brought her hand to her mouth and fought the tears that formed in the corners of her eyes. “Please accept my apologies. I had no idea, otherwise I would never have suggested a ride.” She immediately felt sorry for both the Lords Snowdon, but her mind especially drifted to the viscount.
She shouldn’t have jabbed at him and should have just accepted hisrequest to partner with her if that is what he chose. If he ended up asking her, she would agree and would be an amiable partner. Although, she still wasn’t certain why he wouldn’t pair with Lady Billings instead, based on what she witnessed.
Diana nodded and sighed. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Papa shall never cease grieving for Mama. I suppose the same for the rest of us.” Diana shifted her expression to a small smile and glanced at each of her sisters. “But we are going to have a fun day, as Mama would have wanted. Right, sisters?”
Jenny and Grace nodded, and everyone refocused on their breakfast plates.
Grace broke the silence. “Lydia,” Grace said, “May I call you Lydia? I know Diana does.”
“Of course,” Lydia replied. “I would be honored if you did so.”
“You may call me Grace,” their youngest sister said.
Lydia found she already liked the young girl very much. She was certain to keep the entire family on their toes when she came of age.
“Thank you, Grace,” Lydia said, giving her a polite nod.
“Lydia,” Grace started again, “Do you take issue with mussed cravats?”
Lydia eyed her curiously, while Diana and Jenny’s shoulders shook from their laughter.
“I don’t believe so,” she replied, unsure if there was a right or wrong answer to the question. She glanced at the older sisters and they both had their mouths covered with their hands. “I suppose things happen sometimes to muss them.”
