Page 24 of The Viscount in her Bedroom
Her lips trembling, Miss Wade looked away, ignoring her own piece of cake. The ensuing silence was awkward.
Mr. Reyburn swallowed and took a sip of cider. “Simon, I rode over on that new gelding I told you about.”
Louisa held her breath. Did he even like to be reminded of horses?
Lord Wade distracted them all with his charming grin. “Paul, I know you’re dying to show him off. Go show the ladies. I’ll wait here for you.”
“Simon,” his friend began.
Lord Wade gave a wry smile. “I know Georgie has longed to see him. Go, Georgie, I’ll be fine.”
Louisa watched Miss Wade smile hesitantly as she glanced at Mr. Reyburn. Perhaps they would need a chaperone, Louisa thought. But they had plenty of stable hands and grooms, leaving Louisa the chance to talk with Lord Wade.
“I haven’t finished my cake,” Louisa said. “You two go on.”
Miss Wade didn’t need to be encouraged. She dashed down the stairs, not bothering to wait for Mr. Reyburn, who only laughed and shook his head as he followed her.
“I think your sister likes him,” Louisa said.
Lord Wade turned his head toward her. “Paul? They’re just friends. He helped me keep an eye on her when we were children.”
“Things change,” she said.
“And once again, you’re too interested in my sister, Miss Shelby.”
She rested her chin on her fist and studied his reaction. He wasn’t angry, just…concerned.
“I can’t ignore her offer of friendship, my lord,” she answered truthfully. “We are the only two young women in this household.”
“But you’re older than she is.”
Louisa straightened in surprise. “She is eighteen, is she not?”
He nodded.
“There are only six years between us.”
“But you’ve had many more experiences.”
He seemed to deliberately stop himself from saying more.
“But isn’t that the point, my lord?” she asked in confusion. “I have experience at managing the complexities of Society. Why should I not advise her?”
“Because she is not ready to try again, Miss Shelby.”
This stubborn side to him was something she wouldn’t have imagined when she’d first come to know him in London last year. But maybe no one had ever crossed him before.
And she didn’t want to push him too far, at least about his sister. But there were other things in his life he needed to confront. She took a deep breath and risked a personal question. “Does your response to Mr. Reyburn’s horse mean you’re not interested in attempting to ride again?”
“Not interested in your interference, Miss Shelby.”
The mask he wore for his family was slipping, she realized, shocked and curious.
Lord Wade turned that intimidating focus back on her. “And how would I ride? Would you be the one to lead my horse around by the reins like a good companion should?”
“You’re not an elderly woman, my lord,” she said evenly. “You don’t need me as a companion. Anyone could assist you in learning to ride again. Your family wants to help.”
“You’re my grandmother’s companion,” he continued, “and I suggest you keep to that. What I would require in a female companion is not what you’re offering.”
