Page 22 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
The ladies chattered on about their neighbors, and their neighbors’ children, and who was betrothed to whom. But Louisa continued to watch Miss Wade, who seldom spoke unless asked a direct question. When a teacart was wheeled into the room, her eyes went wide as if it were a monster come to attack her.
But biting her lip, she dutifully began to serve her grandmother’s friends. It might have been better for all if Louisa had offered in her place.
Miss Wade spilled tea, dropped a cucumber sandwich on the floor, and in general made herself the object of pity. She was miserable in her lack of confidence.
She only brightened when the butler entered and intoned, “Mr. Paul Reyburn.”
Mr. Reyburn was not a man who dominated the room with his physical presence; he wasn’t excessively tall, nor could his looks rival Lord Wade’s. But his personality more than made up for it.
“Lady Wade,” he said laughingly, “if I would have known you were having a party, I would have come sooner.”
All the ladies laughed and tittered like hens around a rooster.
“My grandson is not present, as you can see,” Lady Wade said fondly. “But you are welcome to stay and visit with us.”
“What grandson?” Mr. Reyburn asked, moving about the room, bowing to each of the ladies in turn. “I only came for you, my lady.”
Then he saw Miss Wade, and he made an elaborate show of turning abruptly and presenting her with an exaggerated bow. “The lovely Miss Wade,” he said, smiling at her from beneath laughing eyes.
Though Miss Wade blushed, she waved off his display with amusement. “Mr. Reyburn, you’re having a boring afternoon and relieving it at our expense.”
“Hardly at your expense,” he said, putting his hand to his chest in horror. “Surely you cannot fault a man for wanting to be entertained by your loveliness.”
Louisa thought he reminded her of Lord Wade, brash and smiling and teasing. The style obviously suited Miss Wade, for she treated him almost as fondly as she treated her brother. Louisa would have to instill her with the confidence to treat everyone the same way.
“I thought I heard another male voice,” said Lord Wade from the doorway. “Perhaps I’m not outnumbered after all.”
He stood beside his valet, not touching him. Louisa felt a strange little shiver just looking at him, but she ignored it. He was wearing a charming grin, donned purposefully for his grandmother, Louisa suspected.
Mr. Reyburn turned to look at him. “Ah,thisgrandson, Lady Wade. He’s been so reclusive that I forgot about him.”
Lord Wade smoothly put a hand on Manvil’s shoulder—as if it was always right where he needed it—and entered the room. Louisa watched him greet the ladies as one by one they reminded him who they were. One deliberately raised her voice—Lady Wade winced—but Lord Wade took no noticeable offense.
When Lord Wade reached Mr. Reyburn, Mr. Reyburn said something in a low voice, and Lord Wade laughed.
Louisa’s whole day brightened at just the sound of his amusement.
Lord Wade said, “And have you met my grandmother’s companion, Miss Shelby?”
Louisa felt all eyes turn to her, and she rose smoothly to her feet.
“Miss Shelby,” Mr. Reyburn said, giving her a bow.
“Good afternoon, sir,” she answered, curtsying.
“I mean no disrespect, Miss Shelby,” Mr. Reyburn said, turning to the older ladies, “but Lady Wade, you are not old enough to need a companion.”
Everyone laughed, including Louisa, who said, “I have thought that myself.”
She felt Lord Wade’s concentration on her, but she kept reminding herself that he couldn’t see her. She would do her best to ignore the way her pulse fluttered, and her stomach contracted in memory of his bold touch. He was only trying to distract her from seeing him too closely.
“You young people enjoy your teasing,” Lady Wade said. “Gentlemen, go on and escort the young ladies for a turn in the garden. I’ll have refreshments sent to the terrace. We old ladies need time to discuss our physical complaints.”
Some of the women gasped at her frankness, but Miss Wade practically jumped to her feet. “What a good idea, Grandmama. Come along, Simon.” She entwined her arm with her brother’s and expertly led him through the drawing room.
Mr. Reyburn held out his arm to Louisa, and although she took it, she said, “Lady Wade, are you certain you do not need me?”
“Go, Miss Shelby. It is a beautiful day.”
