Page 64 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
Lady Stanford swatted at his arm. “You have been taking too many lessons in flirtation from Al, I think. But I shall take it. As an old married woman, I am in need of a few compliments.”
“Who are you calling old?” Sir Nathaniel took Lady Stanford’s hand and pulled her toward him, wrapping an arm about her. “I won’t have you speaking about my wife that way.”
She smiled up at him and his head dipped toward hers.
“I believe we are intruding, Miss Wayland,” Mr. Kendall said. “What say you to waiting in the carriage until they have finished their flirtation?”
Susannah, who had already averted her eyes, nodded. Mr. Kendall quickly snatched his coat and hat and they made their escape, titters of laughter chasing them out of the house.
“They are disgustingly happy, are they not?” Mr. Kendall said.
“Indeed, but I believedelightfullya better adjective.”
“You sound like John.” She peeked up at him and he smirked. “He always points out our fallacies in speech.”
“I suppose years of friendship are wearing off on me.” She tried to maintain her smile, but it faltered.
“You do not like that you sound like him?”
Susannah glanced up at his concerned face. “Actually, I like it very much. Lord Newhurst and I have been friends for a long time. It is an honor to sound as educated as he is. It is just—”
How to finish? They reached the carriage and Mr. Kendall helped her up. When the door closed, he faced her.
“Just?” he encouraged.
“I am confused. You are his friend. Do you think… that is, do you know if…” She could not finish such an embarrassing question. What would Mr. Kendall think of her asking after his friend’s affections?
He leaned forward, a twinkle in his eye. “I think you should ask John this question. If I am not wrong, it is one he wishes very much to hear.”
The door to the carriage opened and Mr. Kendall leaned back against the squabs as the others entered. All the way to King Street she pondered his words, a bud of excitement blooming when she realized what he might have meant.
The chandeliers of Almack’s drew Susannah’s attention the moment they entered. Lit with hundreds of candles, theirsparkle danced off of every wall. Ladies and gentlemen were already dancing a lively Scottish reel, their hands clapping and their feet skipping. Her eyes lifted to a magnificent balcony where the musicians played.
All the sights and sounds tickled her senses and left her toes tapping as she awaited her first opportunity to dance.
“Lady Stanford, what a pleasure to see you.”
The grating sound of her aunt’s greeting stole all the happy sensations and left her heart pounding. She’d known they were attending, but hoped with so many present she’d not be forced to spend much time with them.
Turning, she was surprised to find her uncle also present. She’d not seen him since that fateful day last spring. He nodded to her, a pleasant smile on his lips.
“Mrs. Guthrie,” Lady Stanford acknowledged.
“Have you met my husband, Mr. Guthrie?”
“I have not.”
Introductions were made and before long, Sir Nathaniel and Uncle Guthrie stepped away from the group, deep in a discussion about the merits of steam engines. The man intrigued her, his nature obviously more agreeable than his wife. But perhaps it was a persona he put on for show, much like Aunt Guthrie.
Miss Guthrie’s head swiveled back and forth until her focus landed on Mr. Kendall. Target in sight, she advanced on him.
“Miss Wayland,” he rushed to say, “Might I have this next set?”
Miss Martha snickered, and Susannah wondered if she might actually be opposed to her mother and sister’s antics. She had insinuated her mother to be as annoying as a goose when they were last in company together.
Their eyes met, and Miss Martha gave a subtle nod. “Look, Harriet. Is that Lord Hamdon over there?”
Miss Guthrie spun. “I believe you are right. Come, Martha. Perhaps he has brought his handsome younger brother so we might both have partners.”
