Page 31 of His Unforgettable Bride
It was just a minor mistake and hopefully the last one for the night. Juliet straightened her spine like the room’s fire poker. With perfect timing, the blaze in the hearth crackled.
“Where was I?” Livy perused the pages of her floppy-paged manual. “Furthermore, a lady never interrupts a meal’s harmony by uttering phrases such as ‘this dish is too salty’ or ‘so-and-so burnt the beef again.’”
What an odd little book, complete with peculiar little rules. “I’ve not lived in your home for long, but I don’t think Icala would do either of those things, ma’am.”
“Of course not. He’s a fabulous cook. I only offer examples.” Livy resumed reading. “Also, a lady never eats too fast or too slow. And it’s improper to use your napkin as a handkerchief.”
“What if Icala adds too much pepper and I sneeze?”
“I suspect you tease. Nonetheless, here’s a tip. When the first twitch of a sneeze arrives, do this.” Livy placed her forefinger in the middle of her top lip. “It stops the itching straight away. Isn’t that ingenious?” Livy’s ample bosom puffed out as if she were pleased with her helpful hint.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tabitha and Gray entered the dining room, with her supporting his elbow. They paused just inside the door. Tabitha’s brow spiked. “Oh, you’re not finished with the lesson.”
“We’ve barely started.” Juliet stood, and her pulse elevated. She’d never seen Gray fully cleaned up and dressed in anything besides drawers or a nightshirt. Even though he now wore baggy clothes—dark trousers and a white shirt once belonging to the sisters’ late father—she still noticed how his broad chest trimmed to a narrower waist.
Although Gray’s head still pained him, and he suffered double vision from time to time, his facial bruising and swollenness had faded, revealing the perfect angles of his nose and cheekbones. Tonight, his eyes held a bright alertness. A bandage still covered his head, and he remained unshaven, the scruff adding to his appeal.
What a handsome, handsome man.
Juliet shook her head. Snakes alive. What in tarnation had come over her? She ran her hands down the front of her dress, another castoff from Tabitha.
Over the last couple of days, she’d helped take care of him occasionally under either Tabitha’s or Livy’s supervision. She’d also tidied his room now and again. But she hadn’t had a chance to talk to him alone again, and she’d not mind another opportunity.
Although tall herself, Tabitha glanced up at the man at her side. “It seems we’re early for supper, Gray. Would you prefer to return to your room or wait here?”
Not here, not here, not here. How embarrassing if she failed her etiquette lesson in front of him, in front of anyone. But especially him.
“I prefer a change of venue if nobody minds.”
Oh, she minded with a fervor, but she couldn’t say so, could she?
Tabitha accompanied him to the opposite side of where Juliet stood. His strides appeared capable and steady, and then he sat with ease while Tabitha began to light the candelabra at the center of the table.
Livy smiled at him tenderly. “Your pallor is much improved from earlier.”
“I am much improved overall, thank you.”
The knot in Juliet’s belly tugged tighter. What if she mixed up the gravy and soup ladles or mustard and salt spoons during her etiquette lesson? If so, he’d have a front row seat as she performed like a fool. But she couldn’t very well kick him from the room, now could she? “Any new flickers of memory today?”
“Not yet, though I keep hoping it is only a matter of time.”
Was he as optimistic as he proclaimed? If so, his stance should serve him well. In his place, she would probably burrow in bed until her Maker called her home. On second thought, she wouldn’t mind forgetting the bleaker parts of her past.
“Are you eager to learn the differences between finger bowls and preserve dishes?” His voice held a huskiness she hadn’t noticed or appreciated until now. Coupled with his teasing tone, the combination appealed a little too much. In the candlelight, his light brown eyes reminded her of cider. And she sure loved cider.
“Do I have a choice?”
Tabitha’s all-seeing eyes trapped Juliet. “Come now. Do you want our help to become more ladylike, or have you changed your mind? Because if you have, we’ll move on to our meal sooner rather than later.”
The sisters exchanged knowing glances.
Obviously, they were giving her a choice, hadn’t coerced her, and were full of graciousness so far. “I’d be a numbskull to miss out on this opportunity. I need to corral my worries, that’s all.”
“Worries about what, child?” Livy closed her book and pressed the manual against her hefty chest.
Concentrating on anything other than the man at the table. Possibly failing miserably at the lessons. Disappointing the two women. Perhaps even showing everyone that she could never be more than a poor, mannerless orphan.
