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.As sure as she sat there with a vast headache, she knew that if she held her hand out to him, he would be at her side.It was an intensely powerful feeling, and one not at all unpleasant.Quite the contrary.She made no move, and he came no closer.“I’ll save you some tea and toast,” he said finally, and his voice sounded rusty.“Very good, sir,” she replied.“And you’ll promise to have me back here by five of the clock?”And then the little flame in his eyes was gone.“I had forgotten,” he said.“You are promised to Brummell, then, are you not?”“So it would seem.”With a cursory nod, he left the room.Jeannie gathered herself together in the window seat and rested her chin upon her knees until her head cleared.As she slowly dressed herself, a glance in the mirror told her that her face was destined to be fashionably pale this morning.A pity it is not a prettier face, she thought as she turned her head from side to side, even if Tom did declare it the most beautiful visage he had ever seen.Tears started in her eyes and she wished fervently that she was home, where it was safe.How missish I am becoming, she thought as she piled her hair on her head and attacked it with hairpins.I have not felt so giddy since, oh Lord, since I fell in love with Tom.This will never do.She glanced around the room before she left it, and noticed the emerald necklace on the bedside table.She picked it up and put it back in the leather pouch, then almost stuffed it in a drawer, but changed her mind and tucked it under her pillow.Jeannie could smell the roses as she came slowly down the stairs, yesterday’s roses from Brummell by the dining-room door and the bouquets in the best sitting room.She peeked in the room and clasped her hands together in delight.The room, sunny with the morning’s light, seemed to breathe out the peppery fragrance of roses in full bloom, and roses with petals furled and waiting.As she took in the scene, her headache finally disappeared.This is better than your nasty brew, Captain, she thought as she walked from bouquet to bouquet, reading the names on the cards, names that meant nothing to her, but everything to Larinda and her hopes of a Season.Jeannie heard laughter from the breakfast room and she smiled to herself, remembering the shouts and anguish of her first night in Wendover Square.How could I have been so afraid of that man? she asked herself.There was one last bouquet in the corner of the room on top of the harpsichord.It caught her eye because of all the bouquets; it was not roses.It was only a little nosegay of violets with a note attached.She held the note up to the light.“To a Genuine Article.Until this afternoon.Brummell.”“And what role do you perform in this peculiar drama, sir?” she said out loud as she twirled the little bouquet between her fingers and then sniffed it.“I am never clever or witty, and I trust you will tire of me soon.”By averting her eyes from the cold plum duff that the captain was knocking back like a starving man, and by focusing her whole heart and brain on dry toast and scalding tea, Jeannie accomplished breakfast.Lady Smeath fluttered around her, animosity forgotten, nattering on about sprig muslin and half-dresses and a domino—“Oh, Lord yes! Every woman needs one!”—until Jeannie felt her headache returning.The captain grunted with pleasure as the last bit of plum duff disappeared, and he leaned back in his chair, at one with the world.“Really, Captain ….Oh, hang it, man, may I call you Bartley?”“Certainly, sir,” replied Bartley with a grin and a last swipe of toast around the egg on his plate.“Well, then, Bartley, I would be honored if you would join us on the trip to Whitehall.” The good humor left his voice.“It will be educational in the extreme.”Bartley shook his head and glanced sideways at Larinda.“Miss Summers has made me a better offer.We are to adjourn to the bookroom and sort through these invitations.”“Pick the juiciest one for tonight,” Jeannie teased.Larinda opened her eyes wide.“Mrs.McVinnie, are you faint of heart? I shall choose at least three! We can strategize and grace three events at least.”“It is a simple matter,” agreed Lady Smeath with all the aplomb of Wellington.“I’ll have Cook prepare us a little restorative before you start out that will keep you moving along.”“I had something like that once in Barbados,” Captain Summers commented.“I moved for a week.”Bartley exploded with a crack of laughter and Edward grinned.“Brother, you do try me,” Lady Smeath said, and her voice shook.Jeannie rose hastily, marveling at the way her stomach heaved about.She knocked over the rest of her tea.“Dear me, Lady Summers, how clumsy.I’ll just dab this up, and, Captain, shouldn’t we be off then?”“A diversion worthy of Collingwood, Jeannie,” the captain said under his breath.“One would think you paced the Royal Sovereign at Trafalgar.”“I’m going to crack you over the head if you don’t stop tormenting your sister,” she replied under her breath.Captain Summers reeled back in mock horror.“I’m all a-quiver.”Edward grinned and took Clare by the hand.“Come, come, missy, lively lively,” he said, in remarkable imitation of his uncle.Lady Smeath followed them into the hall.“If someone should chance to come calling this morning, Larinda will attend.” She giggled behind her hand.“I have already received a note this morning from Lady Catherine Ryecart.” She clasped her hands to her bosom.“Edwin Ryecart is a trifle short and heaven knows his title isn’t as old as ours, but, Larinda, only think: ten thousand a year in funds.”Captain Summers opened his mouth to comment when Jeannie grabbed him by the arm and tugged him toward the front door.“You’re a forward baggage,” he whispered in her ear as he allowed himself to be hurried along.Jeannie pressed her lips together.“And you’re not safe in mixed company,” she declared.“On the blockade I am seldom in mixed company.I forget.”“On land or sea, rag manners are rag manners,” she stated, and he laughed, but softly, so as not to discommode her tender head.“Wait, Jeannie,” said Bartley behind them.He came toward her quickly and drew her to one side.“I am sorry for making a fool of myself upstairs,” he said [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]