Page 130 of All I Want for Christmas… Is You
"Miss Maybrey, I warn you, do not toady! Rank is no excuse for bad manners. Do not excuse it on that basis."
"It is merely, my lord, that I am confused. All the years a young girl is growing up at home she is taught by her parents about society without experience of the actuality. Then when one goes to school, other more stringent society rules are taught."
"By old maids who have only observed from the chaperon couches at the closest—some not even that close."
"Yes, my lord and my own heretofore limited experience in the city has not taught me differently. But you—I beg your pardon, my lord, but you do not act as I have been taught or have observed a member of society act. I freely confess I am fascinated by this difference. I'm not certain why."
The marquess laughed and tucked Jocelyn's arm in his as he led her across the courtyard toward the manor house. "I believe I begin to see what attracted my cousin to you, Miss Maybrey. You are a delightful mixture of honesty and naiveté that is refreshing. For all the inculcation you have received, how is it you are not jaded and full of ennui?"
"I'm not certain I understand your direction, my lord. However, my mother says one of my most besetting faults is my curiosity."
"Faults? Nay, Miss Maybrey. I should call that one of your most shining traits. Next, you shall be telling me she disapproves of your sensitivity toward others."
"She does say I am too soft-hearted."
"Nonsense, and you may tell your mother a marquess said so." He winked at her. "That is bound to get blessings."
Jocelyn laughed.
At the house, she parted from the marquess with a curious sense of regret and hurried to her room, where Miss Barnes awaited.
CHAPTER4
"Enough! Enough! I swear if you twitch another fold into place, straighten another bow, or pat another curl, I shall scream! My toilet is complete. You have—as always—outdone yourself, Miss Barnes," Jocelyn told the woman with laughing exasperation as she attempted to edge toward the door. "I must go. I wish to visit with Lady Mary before going downstairs, and I don't have much time."
"But you would allow me no time!"
"Nonetheless, you rose to the challenge. I thank you," she assured the woman before closing the door and hurrying down the hall.
A cheerful croaking greeted her light tap on Lady Mary's door. A maid answered the door and showed her inside.
"Jocelyn! I despaired of seeing you today!" Lady Mary said, her voice cracking.
"Every time I asked someone of your condition, I was told you were sleeping."
"Sleeping! As thick as my head feels? Not bloody likely! What we have, my friend, is a conspiracy."
"A loving conspiracy, I'll venture."
Lady Mary waved her hand in offhand agreement, the handkerchief she clenched fluttering with the movement. "To be sure. And I will admit I did sleep some today. Especially after old Mrs. Morrison—the estate herbalist and midwife—prepared an infusion of boiling water and herbs that she had me inhale. Whatever it was, it eased my breathing."
Jocelyn sat on the edge of the bed. "Now you must concentrate on getting better. Don't think of anything else, and do take the medications you are given."
Lady Mary plucked restlessly at the sheets. "Resting here is difficult to do. The longer I lay here, the more I am filled with remorse that you are left solely to my brother's less than cheerful company."
"Nonsense. The marquess and I have dealt admirably together. Tomorrow I might even ask if I may help with the rocking horse. . . . No, the person I fear most is Mrs. Bayne. Have you heard she announced she would be coming to dinner tonight?"
"She is known for that. I often wonder if her actions are deliberate or blindly inconsiderate, as we've always assumed."
"In the interest of not burning my boats a la Caesar, I'd best keep my visit to you brief and go downstairs to meet her."
Lady Mary chuckled. " 'Tis a wise woman you are, Miss Maybrey."
"Sometimes I wonder," Jocelyn said as she rose from the bed and said goodbye.
She could not seem to shake the image of Tarkington from her mind. Why should his sister bear such an unflattering impression of him? Jocelyn saw little in his behavior that she would deem symptoms of melancholy. Quite the contrary! There was a reserve to the gentleman, which was to be expected around a stranger and one who was his younger sister's friend. He probably did not consider Lady Mary an adult. That was obvious by his behavior when she was discovered ill! Was it any wonder he should similarly treat his sister's friend? But he was not always reserved—she found herself often thinking of the time spent in the topiary garden with Tarkington and Lady Anne.
But was it wise or politic to spend one's time considering the marquess? Such tenacious thoughts as she seemed to possess worried her. She did not understand the interest the marquess roused in her or the way a curious fluttering invaded her stomach when he was nearby, causing her to talk and act like a veritable ninny hammer! His love and concern for his daughter touched her, but that would not solely answer for the feelings she had long before she met Lady Anne or came to know of Tarkington's devotion to his daughter.
