Page 33 of Her Whole Heart
“My cousin Miss Jacobsen,” Miss Torrington said with a fond smile. “Father thought she could be my companion, and indeed, she is perfect for the job.” She tapped one ear. "Hard of hearing. More interested in her dog than me."
Elizabeth shared an amused look with her hostess and then glanced about. The room was bright, richly furnished, and comfortable. The windows opened out onto a splendid garden and forest beyond. When she brought her gaze inside, Elizabeth had to conceal a smile. Everywhere one looked, there were hawks—paintings of hawks in flight, on the nest, restingon the arm of one man in what Elizabeth presumed was a long line of Torrington falconers.
Even the design of the blue and ivory wallpaper was similar to the bird’s feathers. It was a subtle pattern, but not difficult to pick out if one really looked.
Amelia turned her head to take it all in. “This is a lovely room,” she said faintly, as Diana’s eyes widened behind her spectacles, her reticule clutched tightly in her hands.
Only Jane was sincerely complimentary. “This room is very comfortable, Miss Torrington.”
Miss Torrington laughed softly. “You are too kind. My father wanted to surprise me for my sixteenth birthday and did up the room just as he believed I would like. I could not bear to disappoint him, and now it is an interesting story to tell. It certainly stands out from all the other drawing rooms I have ever been in.”
“What would you have preferred?” Jane asked.
“I can hardly imagine what I would have done. Something either ghastly or very banal in all likelihood, for I do not have much of an eye for wallpapers or window dressings. At least this way, my guests and I always have something to begin the conversation.”
That was certainly true. Elizabeth addressed Miss Torrington. “I was impressed by the amount of land you have here. We are so close to town, and yet you have your own park.”
“I fear my sister is envious,” Jane said fondly. “She misses her country walks, and while Hyde Park is lovely, it is also rather crowded, even this time of year.”
“As the weather improves, there will hardly be room to move,” Elizabeth agreed.
“My dear Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Torrington said, “you are always welcome to take advantage of Beecham’s walking paths. It is indeed much quieter than any park in town, and I am sympathetic to a lady’s need for a brisk country walk.”
This was an unexpected and delightful surprise. “While I had not intended for that to be a hint, I shall prove myself unrepentant, for I could never decline such an invitation,” Elizabeth replied with delight.
“Oh dear,” Amelia said cheerfully, “we may never see Elizabeth again, Jane.”
“Do not fear, Miss Hamilton,” Miss Torrington said, amused. “The grounds are not so extensive that a few hours' search would not roust Miss Elizabeth from her hiding place.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “As little as I might wish to come indoors, I am rather fond of hot tea and a roaring fire. You have no cause for concern, Amelia.”
“Although shemayreturn from her rambles with leaves in her hair and mud on her hem,” Jane said affectionately.
It was an exaggeration, but not much of one. Elizabeth’s reply was cheerful. “In honour of Diana, I will simply say, Voi due si compiace semplicemente di tormentarmi.”
Diana smiled. “Theydotake delight in tormenting you, Elizabeth. Well done. I did not realise you spoke Italian.”
“I shall be honest,” Elizabeth said, pretending to speak confidentially, “and admit that ever since you told us how many languages you have mastered, I have been practising.”
Miss Torrington smiled. “My goodness, how many languages is that, Miss Loughty?”
“I hope you do not mind,” Miss Loughty said, rather boldly for her, “and I know it might be rather soon, but we are all using one another’sChristian names, and I believe I speak for us all when I say we should be honoured if you were to do the same.”
There were nods all around, and Miss Torrington’s cheeks pinked. “I would enjoy that, ladies. I am Cordelia.”
“Twenty-three,” Elizabeth said, and they all looked at her. “Diana speaks twenty-three languages.”
Cordelia blinked with shock, and they all laughed.
“I only speak seven,” Diana said when she had recovered.
“And she understands another,” Amelia added pertly.
“My goodness,” Cordelia said, placing a hand over her heart in an extravagant motion. “That is astonishing. Not quite as astonishing as twenty-three, of course, but still quite respectable.” She cast an approving glance at Elizabeth before turning the conversation to all the countries whose languages Diana spoke.
Cordelia had not said as much, but Elizabeth knew she had been caught out. Her exaggerations were meant to make it a simple thing for Diana to let everyone know how accomplished she truly was and yet retain the humility that seemed a part of her character. It was a shame that she had to resort to subterfuge, but everyone ought to know how very intelligent this woman was.
“Do you know,” Diana said, “after we all spoke at the ball, I was attempting to learn where falconry began.”
