“Yes, please,” I agreed. It was still pulled back in the simple knot I’d done this morning.
She took more time than usual with my hair, weaving it into an intricate design and leaving several soft wisps curling around my face. But I worried for her. I met her gaze in the mirror. “Won’t Aunt Agnes be waiting for you?”
Betsy shook her head. “I saw to your aunt first. She wanted to be ready early. You know she’ll want to impress Lord and Lady Wollerton.” She stepped back. “There. All finished.” She looked at me proudly, as if I were an artistic masterpiece she’d just completed.
“Thank you, Betsy,” I said with feeling.
Downstairs I slipped into the drawing room quietly. People stood in small circles, chatting as they waited for dinner to be announced. With a quick survey of the room, I determined that everyone was present save Halstead. Would he upend the entire evening with his absence? We’d soon find out.
Robert walked straight toward me, his face alight. “Juliet, you look . . . lovely.” He leaned toward me, his breath tickling my ear. “Captivating.”
There was a warmth, a passion in his voice that was unfamiliar. I took a small step backward. “Thank you.” It came out as more of a question than I’d intended.
Lady Ellen stood in the far corner of the room, conversing with Hugh, Lord Aberdeen, and Lady Margaret. She looked my direction and waved the two of us over, saving me from further embarrassment.
Lady Margaret smiled as we approached. “Miss Graham, Mr. Nicholson. We were just discussing Shaldorn’s multitude of gardens. Have you ever seen anything more lovely?”
I tried not to grimace.
“I can only imagine what they are like during the summer months,” Robert said in his usual amiable way.
“Ah yes. The gardens are superb.” Lord Aberdeen looked to Lady Margaret, as if hoping his compliment would meet with her approval.
They continued talking, but I found myself looking at the door more than once, hating that I kept waiting for Halstead to come through it. Lady Ellen touched my arm and pulled me to the side. “I am glad to see you looking so well this evening. I was worried about you earlier.”
“Whatever for?” My voice sounded high-pitched, even to my own ears.
“Please,” she said sternly, crossing her arms over her chest. “I thought we had agreed to avoid triviality.”
The sincerity etched in her face made me contrite at once. “You are right, of course. I am not quite myself, but it is only a matter of time. By tomorrow I am sure I shall be restored.”
“I hope so. Tomorrow I hope we may steal a little time for ourselves to speak alone.”
“Dinner is served,” the butler announced from across the room, and I could only nod as everyone began pairing off. Robert held out his arm and led me into the dining room.
The head of the table sat empty. Lady Margaret was led to the seat just left of where Halstead should have been. And it came as no great surprise that I was placed on the far end of the table. From where she sat, the dowager duchess glanced down at me, her mouth ticking up in a celebratory smile. I turned away.
Right after everyone took their seats, the door opened once more, and Halstead entered. The room went quiet. Halstead surveyed the room, and my stomach pitched as he found my eyes down the length of the table. There was a token of appreciation in his gaze, and he gave me the briefest of nods. It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to finally look away. All at once everyone began to talk, and I counted myself lucky to be seated next to Lord Aberdeen, who shouldered the burden of conversation.
When at last dinner was finished, I rose, following the rest of the women into the drawing room while the men lingered behind. The matrons all sat together, and I joined Lady Ellen and Lady Margaret in a gathering of chairs near the pianoforte. My lungs slowly deflated as my nerves from earlier returned.
Lady Margaret arranged her hands on her lap, turning her gaze on me. “Miss Graham, I hope you won’t think me forward, but I have never been one who excels at small talk. Pray, don’t think ill of me if I speak openly.”
Lady Margaret’s ingenuousness struck me at once, and I liked her the more for it. “Lady Ellen and I spoke only a few days ago of our distaste for trifling conversation, so you are in good company,” I assured her as Lady Ellen nodded confirmation.
Lady Margaret smiled as she glanced between Lady Ellen and me. “I must admit, I have dreaded this visit for some time. My parents expect so much, and I hate to disappoint them.” A line of worry creased her forehead, and then, just as quickly, it was gone. “But I do not wish to think about that just now. Do tell us what is happening between you and Mr. Nicholson.” She gave me a look of encouragement.
Taken aback, my mouth dropped open a bit. Unsure of what to say, I remained silent.
“Come, do not be modest. I could not help but notice the way he looked at you tonight. He is ever so handsome and kind. Has he professed himself? Is it a mutual regard?”
Lady Ellen pursed her lips, looking at me with interest.
“Well,” I said slowly, weighing out my words. “He has given me reason to think he wishes for . . . more between us.”
As if she could sense all that I had held back, Lady Ellen narrowed her eyes.
Lady Margaret sighed contentedly. “It is just as I suspected.” She leaned forward. “And? What of your own feelings?”
“I have told him I need time to consider things.” Why did my mouth feel so dry all of a sudden? I touched my tongue to the roof of my mouth. “I do not wish to rush into anything.”
Lady Margaret’s brows pinched together. “That’s . . . prudent of you.”
The
