Page 27 of The Truth about the Marquess
“Though she might well be more than suitable!” Lady Harsham protested, her cheeks a little red now. “You cannot remove her from your thoughts simply because of her mother’s impropriety.”
“Oh, but I can,” Oliver replied, chuckling at the way the lady’s eyes widened. “Can you imagine what it would be like? Though you say she might well only speak in that improper manner to ladies such as yourself, I confess that I am not as convinced. Can you imagine what she would be like as a mother-in-law? There would be questions about all manner of things, questions which would make even me blush, I am sure!” Seeing Lady Harsham begin to giggle, Oliver grinned and continued, taking her hand on his arm again so that they could continue to promenade around the ballroom. “I would be asked about my estate, the investments I have made which questions, I am sure, would be in-depth and pressing for, no doubt, she would speak of my late father and his mistakes! Thereafter, there might be questions about children, about the nursemaid, the governess, the dancing master, the housekeeper, the butler… can you imagine the difficulty that would become?”
Lady Harsham was still laughing, her eyes dancing as she looked up at him.
“I suppose I can see it now,” she agreed, as Oliver chuckled along with her. “Mayhap you are right.”
“I believe that I am.” Oliver shrugged lightly. “I have two others to consider now, I suppose. That is no bad thing.”
Lady Harsham’s smile faded completely, her expression now serious.
“Are you quite sure that you are glad I told you?”
Oliver nodded, reaching across again to press her hand as it sat on his arm.
“I am more than grateful,” he told her, seeing that smile come again and finding his heart lighting in response. “More than you can know.”
Chapter Twelve
“Iwas just saying that – oh, do excuse me for a moment.”
Jane smiled warmly at the two ladies who were sitting with her in the drawing room as a tap came at the door. Lady Martins and her daughter, Lady Rebecca, smiled and nodded as Jane called for the butler to enter.
“Lady Keswick and her daughter, Miss Leverton.”
Jane, a little surprised, managed to keep her poise as the two ladies entered the room. She had not been introduced to either of them before, she was sure, and certainly had not been expecting a visit! Was this not one of the young ladies that Lord Edenbridge had told her he was considering? And if it was, did that have anything to do with their unexpected arrival?
“Lady Keswick, Miss Leverton.” Curtseying, she smiled warmly, hiding her confusion. “How very good to meet you.”
The older lady smiled, although it was a little tight, Jane considered.
“I am aware that we have not been introduced, but I do hope that you will not consider it improper.”
Jane smiled.
“No, not in the least. Please, do come and join us.”
“I thank you.” Lady Keswick nodded to the other ladies, seemingly already acquainted with them, and then went to sit down with her daughter next to her. “I was sorry to hear of your husband’s passing, Lady Harsham. I did not know him personally, but I am sure that it must have brought with it a great deal of suffering.”
Jane, who considered that her marriage to Lord Harsham had been nothing but suffering, and his death, as sorrowful as it was to say, a relief from that, only smiled gently and nodded.
“You are very kind, Lady Keswick. Might I pour you some tea? It has only just been brought in.”
The lady nodded though, Jane considered, Miss Leverton had not said a single word as yet. Instead, she sat quietly, her gaze resting on the floor rather than looking at Jane, her hands in her lap. Silently wondering what it was that had brought Lady Keswick and Miss Leverton to her, Jane set down the teacups and then, finally, sat down in her chair again.
Silence reigned. Jane pressed her lips together tightly, all the more confused about why Lady Keswick and Miss Leverton had come to call, and wondering why, now, there was no conversation whatsoever. Was it that Lady Keswick did not want to say anything in the company of others? Or was the silence from the simple truth that none of them were well acquainted with the other?
“Are you enjoying the Season, Miss Leverton?”
Thankfully, one of the other guests spoke, and Jane picked up her teacup to hide her sigh of relief.
Miss Leverton looked at her mother before speaking, however, almost as though she needed Lady Keswick’s approval before she said a single word. Her mother gave an almost imperceptible nod and Miss Leverton then nodded.
“Yes, I am.”
It was a very brief answer indeed, and Jane’s eyebrows rose high in surprise. Instead of speaking a little more at length to continue with the conversation, Miss Leverton had said very little, choosing, it seemed, to bring the conversation to a close before it had even begun!
Mayhap she is shy,Jane considered, wanting to think the best of the lady.Her mother might well be somewhat intimidating and therefore, she feels afraid of doing anything which might bring about her disapproval.
