Page 40 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
She blinked. “For me?”
“Of course, for you.” Her mother strode forward, took Louisa’s hand, and pulled her to a standing position. Releasing her daughter, she said, “You look quite lovely. And your hair. Well done, Lucy! Now come along, Louisa.”
With one last look at her reflection, Louisa snatched up her sketch pad from her night table and followed her mother from the room, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe the drawing room was full of gentlemen callers.
Alas, it was. Front and center was her baron, the interest from other males of the ton evidently sending Lord Danner back to her door. A drawing room full of male callers was the only event that would make Louisa’s mother forget being denied an Almack’s voucher.
Louisa’s remaining three brothers sat in a corner of the room observing the festivities.
As she greeted each gentleman separately, accepted their flowers, and oohed and awed over them, she was painfully aware that Lord Wycliffe was not among her admirers. Her mother buzzed about the room, speaking briefly to each visitor.
Two hours and several cups of tea and biscuits later, the last caller departed.
Louisa slumped back on the settee she’d yet to move from. “Please have the tea tray taken away, mother. I don’t want to see another for some time.”
A footman entered the room and intoned, “Lord Wycliffe and Lady Harbury.”
Edith rushed in with a large hat box in hand, the viscount following more sedately, a bemused expression on his face.
The gentleman bowed elegantly and held out the most beautiful arrangement of pink flowers and ivy.
“Lady Louisa, you look exquisite as always.”
His warm voice and spicy cologne washed over her, and just like that, Louisa wished that Lord Wycliffe was there because he wanted to be.
* * * * *
Nathaniel’s mansion was situated across the square from Carstairs. As his coach drove by Louisa’s home, Cecil was struck by the number of carriages lined up along the road.
When Cecil was ensconced in a parlor after being greeted by Lady Edith, he asked, “Whatever is occurring down the street?”
“Louisa is entertaining callers.”
“Callers?” He raised a brow.
“Gentlemen callers.” The lady settled back against the cushions of her plush chair. “It looks as if every eligible man in London is calling on my friend today.”
Nathaniel entered the room. “Cecil! You look even more elegant than usual.”
He felt his cheeks grow warm. Perhaps he had taken extra care with his appearance. It was strange for Nathaniel to notice.
“You did remember flowers?” Edith asked him, raising a brow.
“I hoped you could help with that,” he replied with a smile.
“Flowers?” Nathaniel came to sit nearby on a hardbacked chair. “For Louisa?”
He nodded. “Louisa said it was necessary. To keep up the pretense.”
His friend exchanged a glance with his wife. Both wore grins.
“Laugh if you will.” He sniffed. “It is all in aid of my gaining that clock.”
“I anticipated your needing a bouquet so I have already cut several of my favorite pink roses and wrapped them in a lace handkerchief. Perhaps we should wait a short time before proceeding to Carstairs,” Edith suggested. “It would be impossible to discuss the clocks privately with so many gentlemen calling on Louisa.”
He nodded. “I agree.”
“I’ll order tea,” Edith replied.
