Page 5 of The Missing Book
“Broughton? Where are you?”
For a moment, Leopold thought not to answer his sister’s call, only for her to open the door and come into the room.
He sighed inwardly.
“There you are. Have you forgotten that we are to attend an afternoon soiree?”
Leopold grimaced. “Soirees ought to be only for the evening. An afternoon soiree does not suit.”
Anna sighed loudly and obviously.
“Yes, yes, I am coming,” he answered, turning back towards her with a grimace still plastered to his face. “I shall consider the drawing room at a later date.”
His sister held up one hand, stopping him. “Consider the drawing room?”
“Something is wrong,” he said, plainly. “I do not know what but there is something that must be set to rights.”
She closed her eyes tightly, a tiny shudder passing over her.
“Now, let us – ”
“Broughton, you have had the servants rearrange this drawing room three times since we arrived last week.” Opening her eyes, Anna looked straight back into his eyes. “That is enough.”
A flash of irritation struck Leopold. “Do not think you have any right to tell me what I ought to do or ought not to do, Anna.”
“I shall tell you when you are being ridiculous and thinking only of yourself, which is what you are doing at the present moment,” came the sharp response. “Your servants are wearied enough by your constant complaints! You cannot have them rearrange this room again. It would not be right. Besides which, I am to have two new acquaintances to take tea with me tomorrow!”
“Which is why this house – and the drawing room – must be perfect,” Leopold answered, firmly. “Have no fear, my dear sister. It will all be just as required come tomorrow.” With this, he ushered his sister out of the door, hearing her protest still but refusing to let himself listen to a word she said. As far as Leopold was concerned, she complained far too much about his decisions whenhewas the one who owned this house and was the master of it. All she had to do was enjoy being part of the London Season and find a suitable match, the rest of these matters belonged to him.
“You must certainlynotsay a word about your dislike of this soiree being in the afternoon rather than the evening,” Anna said firmly, as the carriage took them through the busy London streets. “I am to try and make a match, Broughton. To have a brother who is known to complain and criticize will not make me seem particularly delightful.” She scowled at him. “Nor will itmake you appear in the least bit pleasant and you are meant to be seeking a match also, are you not?”
Leopold waved a hand, dismissively. “I am well able to make a match, Anna. It will not take long for me to find someone suitable, I am quite sure. My sole focus at present is you, so you need not concern yourself in that way. Might I remind you that I expect you to stay beside me for the duration of the soiree, as you ought. I must be present for every conversation and interaction, for there will be some gentlemen present who are not in the least bit suitable when it comes even to a simple conversation!”
This only made Anna roll her eyes, however, which made Leopold grimace. There was no time for him to say anything more, however, for the carriage soon arrived at Lord and Lady Granton’s townhouse… though given the number of gentlemen and ladies milling about outside of the house rather than stepping inside made Leopold’s frown return.
“Enough, brother!” Anna made for the door as the footman opened it. “I can already see you are upset and – ”
“Sit down, Anna!” Grasping her arm, Leopold pulled her back, making Anna catch her breath in surprise. “Are you not aware that it isIwho descends first?”
Anna opened her mouth and then closed it again, though not before two dots of pink appeared on her cheeks as she looked away. Frustrated, Leopold’s jaw tightened though he wasted no further time, stepping out of the carriage and then turning so he might assist his sister from the carriage. She took a little longer than he had expected, irritating him with the delay which, he was sure, she had done on purpose. When she finally stepped out, she did not take his proffered hand, choosing to ignore him entirely and descend on her own.
Leopold gritted his teeth so he would not say anything sharp to her, fully aware that they were now surrounded by guests and could not say anything without being overheard, though he senthis frustration to the back of his mind so he might speak to her about it all once they had returned home.
“If this is the receiving line, then I must say, I am surprised it is so disorganized,” he muttered, walking to where he presumed the back of the line was as Anna went with him. Looking over the crowd, he wrinkled his nose at the sheer number of people waiting outside, wondering why Lord and Lady Granton would greet their guests at the very front of the house. Would it not have been better to have the guests standing inside the house before making their way to the drawing room to be greeted there?
“Stop, Leopold.”
He started, a little astonished that his sister had thought to use his Christian name. When he looked at her, there was a flush in her cheeks that had not been there before, her eyes darting to his and then looking away from him again. “I am not doing anything.”
“You are thinking critically and it is plain on your face,” she muttered, pulling out her fan. “Please, do not shame me here.”
Leopold wanted to state that his sole reason for acting as he did was to prevent shame from touching them in any way, though he quickly silenced his lips given the anger that flashed into Anna’s eyes. She was, he considered, more than a little frustrating, given the way that she constantly berated him and sought to correct him. She ought to know her place a good deal better than that – and Leopold grimaced, realizing thathewas the one to blame in that regard. Something would have to be done.
“A good afternoon to you!” Lady Granton exclaimed, smiling warmly at Leopold and then looking at Anna. “We are so very glad you are able to join us for this soiree.”
“I thank you,” Leopold answered, inwardly questioning why Lord Granton had not spoken first rather than his wife.
“I am very grateful for your consideration,” Anna said before Leopold had the chance to say more. “As you know, Lady Granton, this is my first Season and I am seeking to make the very best impression upon society.”
