Page 53 of Hearts of Briarwall

“If only Andrew didn’t think of me as a girl still in my plaits and pinafores.”

“I wish I could argue that, but you’ve hit the nail on the head.” She tipped her head to the side. “Perhaps we should do what we can to change that.”

“What do you mean?” Lydia asked. “I dress like a woman—usually. I speak—mostly—like a gentlewoman. I have learned the duties of a woman, while seeking to expand my abilities and interests. What more can I do?”

“What will Andrew expect of you tonight?”

“The usual. To be welcoming to our guests. To escort the ladies to and fro and direct the evening’s entertainment.”

“Will that entertainment include a hunt for a clock key?”

Lydia bristled and opened her mouth to defend the way things had unfolded the other evening, but Violet put up her hand.

“I’m only making a point from Andrew’s perception. I’m wildly jealous that Florrie had all the fun. But what do you thinkAndrewwill be expecting tonight?”

Lydia frowned. “He likely expects more of the same. Looking for buried treasure, perhaps. Or a secret passage leading to the temple.”

Violet grinned. “Wouldn’t that be scrumptious?”

“Yes, and it would save me from a sopping wet return after a rainstorm.”

“Indeed. But what if for the next while, as you ready yourself to approach Andrew with your wish to invest in Mr. Hayes’s shops, you show him the woman you are.”

“The woman I am, or the woman my brother wishes me to be? Because I don’t think I can change who I am in an attempt to manipulate him into gaining his blessing.”

“No, and I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I’m simply suggesting you set aside the more fanciful—and delightful, I might add—inclinations of your nature and recall all that you’ve been taught as you manage this home. While I agree it’s a shame you need to show your own brother that you are an intelligent, trustworthywomansoon to be of her own means, it wouldn’t hurt your cause to display those particular feathers to gain his ear.”

Lydia sighed. “I suppose he’d be more apt to hear me out.”

“And not dismiss the idea without a decent discussion.”

“And this begins tonight?”

Violet shrugged. “Let it begin now. Stop hiding in here, and let’s go about some of your responsibilities before Sir Lawrence arrives. Show Andrew thatWooding competencyhe’s always bragging about.”

Lydia straightened. “I do need to attend to the tea cabinet and review the wines with Ralston for dinner. Could you help me assemble the charity baskets for tomorrow? And I’m sure the flowers could use some freshening.”

“Yes, those are all perfectly responsible—”

“—and boring—”

“—duties to attend to. Though, will it startle Mrs. Parks to finally find you in the tea cabinet?”

Lydia smiled. “It might. She’ll think I’m displeased with her performance.”

“She’ll more likely clap her hands with joy.”

“And I don’t need to pay any particular attention to Mr. Hayes?”

Violet shook her head. “Mutual apologies must be expressed at some point, but give it a rest unless he approaches you. Likely you are both feeling similar discomfort from this morning and need space. If he is anything like the man you originally deemed him to be, he is reviewing the things he said to you with regret.”

Lydia felt her cheeks warm and nodded. “Will you help me?”

“Of course.” Violet’s gaze swept over her face, a glint in her eye. “And you must do something about that blush if you are not falling in love with him.”

“Thatis not helpful, Vi.”

“Agree to disagree,” Violet muttered to the room. “You smell divine, by the way.”

---