Page 52 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
Javenia groaned. “Perhaps you should send word that you are finished with visiting hours already.”
Voices in the entry came closer and before any word could be sent, the Guthries followed Susannah into the room.
Her cheeks were pink and the tip of her nose red from her time out of doors, but the brightness in her eyes pulled at his artistic eye. They shimmered in the morning sunlight. Did that mean there were tears? Her expression did not appear distressed. On the contrary, she positively glowed.
There could be only one source for such joy, and it made him want to turn and leave, but he would not. Instead he tried to mask the hurt with a placid expression of indifference as he stood to greet everyone.
She stopped.
“Jo—Lord Newhurst.”
“Miss Wayland.”
“It is a fine day to see you again, Lord Newhurst,” Mrs. Guthrie said, bustling past her niece to greet everyone. “And you, Lady Stanford. I do hope you are feeling better.”
Melior’s jaw flexed. “I am. Thank you.”
The coolness in her voice spoke clearly of her dislike of the woman, but Mrs. Guthrie either did not notice or chose to ignore her tone altogether. When Mrs. Guthrie turned to Javenia, her cheerful countenance fell.
“And a good day to you, Miss Harris.”
Was it just him, or had the woman’s chin hitched up a notch? He studied her profile. Indeed, she looked like her nose had a decided tilt toward the ceiling. What could have possessed her to think she could assert superiority over Javenia, the daughter of a baron?
The noblest relation Mrs. Guthrie had was the Duchess of Bedford and that was obtained only through her marriage to Mr. Guthrie.
“Come girls, do sit down.” Mrs. Guthrie motioned to the settee he now occupied as she sat on the opposite end of the settee from Javenia.
He would have thought she’d choose a chair with her obvious dislike, but after assessing the furniture a second time he realized it would never do. If Mrs. Guthrie tried to squeeze into one of the beautifully embroidered chairs, they’d never get her out of it. Either that, or it would collapse.
Covering his mouth with one hand, he tried to hide his amusement at the ungracious image in his mind of the mean-spirited lady flopping around on the ground like a fish. Then a hand brushed against his sleeve.
“Oh, do forgive me,” Miss Guthrie said, batting her eyelashes at him. Why did women do that? It looked ridiculous, like she had something in her eye. She made a pretense of giving him more space but only succeeded in moving the edge of her skirts over his leg.
Did both she and her sister have to sit on the settee? There were two more chairs, other than the one Susannah had taken up.
Talk turned to the weather and his eyes strayed to Susannah. She, however, seemed wholly occupied with observing her hands. Not once did she look up at him.
Miss Guthrie leaned forward, effectively blocking his view. “And how are you enjoying this little bit of sun we have been blessed with the last couple of days, Lord Newhurst?”
“It is lo-lovely.” There, he’d spit it out. Goodness, did the woman have to be so close?
“Yes, it has been fine.” Mrs. Guthrie agreed. “So enjoyable that one ought not to be indoors during such good weather as this. Even if there is a bit of a nip in the air.”
The woman’s eyes moved pointedly between him and her daughter several times. He ignored her.
“Miss Martha, how are you enjoying… things?” Why could he think of nothing else?
The corner of the younger woman’s mouth inched up as she glanced at him and then her mother. “Quite well. I am especially pleased with the birds that have decided to come out and enjoy this bit of false spring. But the geese in the park have been quite annoying. There is one such that cannot stop honking and pecking at certain gentlemen when they pass.”
Was she…? He nearly laughed at the thought. His eyes strayed to Javenia and she’d caught the same implication, if her smile were any indication.
“And does this goose have fine white and black feathers?” Melior asked.
Johnathan glanced at the turban Mrs. Guthrie wore. Poked into the folds were several such feathers. He ducked his head and bit his lips.
“Indeed, Your Ladyship.”
“I do believe I know of the bird you are speaking of,” Mrs. Guthrie said. “Is it the one that nests near the lower path?”
