Page 16 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
“We call it primrose.”
He grinned, watching Lady Annette take in a deep breath.
“How clever.Colored doors,” she sniffed.“At least it’s not green.I hate green.”
Demmed woman had only been in residence a quarter of an hour and was already a thorn in everyone’s side.He wouldn’t allow Miss Langston to bully this lovely creature.
“Yet it would be the most beneficial color for you, ma’am.It represents calm, known to soothe anxiety.It’s also in the middle of the color spectrum and provides balance.”He needed to give his valet a bonus later.
Lady Annette jerked her head around, her eyes wide as she realized he’d followed them.Her lips pressed together in a tight line.She was trying not to laugh.He wasn’t the host, so he grinned back at her.She scowled, a pitiful attempt to scold him since she was still holding back a laugh.“I didn’t realize colors could be educational and so important to our wellbeing.”
A footman arrived with a trunk.“Where does this go, my lady?”he asked Lady Annette.She looked at the vicar with a raised brow.
Mr.Langston shrugged, uncertain.“It’s both of ours, actually.My sister felt it unnecessary to bring two for such a short stay.Please”—he motioned to the servant—“bring it into the…” He cast a nervous glance at Annette, then his sister.“Put it in the yellow room.Once she’s finished unpacking, I’ll fetch the trunk myself.”
“No need, sir.Just yank the bellpull, and I’ll get it for you.”
Annette opened theprimrosedoor, and the footman followed both women into the room.This interaction had informed Andrew that sister and brother resided under the same roof.Lady Annette would wither away like a flower in frost if she were exposed to that mean-spirited woman day in and day out.Or become her.
Not if he had a say in the matter.Andrew decided the character of the vicar made no difference if his sister would be living with them.This suitor was already being crossed offhislist.
At least when Miss Langston surveyed the room, she found nothing to complain about.When Lady Annette returned to the hall, he had already shown the vicar his quarters.After both guests had closed the doors, he held out his arm, indicating he’d follow her.
“Thank you,” she whispered as they descended to the drawing room.
“The eye of your storm,” he whispered in her ear.“Just come to the center whenever you need me.”
She nodded.
“When do they leave?”he asked.“After dinner?”
“Perhaps she’s just tired, and her mood will improve after a rest.”
“Your tone is sarcastic.”He could smell the jasmine in her hair.
“You are quite a perceptive man.”Again with the humorous sarcasm.He enjoyed her wit.
Andrew studied her long, graceful neck as she moved down the stairs.A few dark curls fell against it, moving as she did.He wanted to reach out and touch one, to see if her hair felt as satiny as it looked.Another mystery of life, Drew,he told himself.For he knew he should never touch her.This morning had been instinct, acting as if he were a green boy instead of a mature man almost her father’s age.
They entered the drawing room to find Lady Henney and Beecham in a heated discussion.“Just give the man a chance.We can’t hold his sister against him.”
“Horsefeathers!If she pulls him around by the bull’s ring, then Nettie will forever be in her shadow.Did you see the footman only bring up one trunk?She is lady of the house, and I doubt she has any intention of changing—” Lady Henney saw them at the door and rearranged her face into a smile.“Are they all settled, then?”
“Yes.And I don’t think we should jump to conclusions.Perhaps Miss Langston doesn’t travel well.Remember how William would get nauseated every time he rode in the carriage?Didn’t we bring his pony along sometimes when he needed fresh air?”
“Yes,” said Beecham, “but he was young and outgrew it.She’s an adult.”
“If my opinion counts,” added Andrew, “I side with Lady Henney.”
“Of course it does.”Beecham pulled at his cravat and gave his fiancée a side-glance.“We must stick to the plan, though, and let Nettie decide.”
“Thank you, Papa.”Lady Annette plopped down onto a wingback chair.
“Who arrives tomorrow?”asked Andrew.There had to be better choices than this namby-pamby.
Lady Henney tapped her chin.“Lucius is accompanying the next two gentlemen.Mr.Fitzjames, fourth son of Viscount Fitzjames, is heavily invested in textiles but does not own property outside his London rowhouse.Which makes the dowry appealing but not necessary, though Nettie would not enjoy moving to Town if he chose to remain.”
Andrew noted the grimace on Lady Annette’s face.
