Page 25 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
“And the viscount?How was he?”
“He was the only man who did not fall.”
“Steady and reliable.”She threaded the ribbon into Annette’s loose chignon.“He also was taken with your wit.And he’s handsome.”
“True.”She and Jenny looked at each other in the mirror.Neither said what they were both thinking.Perfect.
* * *
“I needto stop in the kitchen and thank Cook.Dinner was stupendous,” said Lucius, rubbing his trim stomach.“And she made my favorite custard.”
“She’s always spoiled you,” said Annette, remembering all the secret rendezvous to the kitchen as children to raid the cupboards, only to find their favorites left out on the table for them.
“Funny thing,” mused Hawkesbury, a conspiratorial grin on his face, “but according to Page, it’s the other way around.You were always the doted-on sibling.”
“Me?”Annette rolled her eyes.“I suppose I did get most of the attention.In my defense, I was the only girl.”
“It’s a miracle you turned out so feminine, considering your childhood,” added her father.“Remember your pirate stage?Wore only William’s breeches for almost a year with some old tri-corner hat she’d found along the road, climbed the tree in the garden looking for any suspicious ships—not that there’s a large enough body of water nearby—and using that terrible shanty slang.”
“What was the name of the governess at the time?”asked Lucius, chuckling.“The poor woman about had an apoplexy the first time she saw Nettie in the outfit, threatening to make her walk the plank.”
Annette covered her eyes and shook her head.“William started it.Said he wanted to be Captain Kidd, and I could be his first mate.”She uncovered her face and reached for her wine, giving Lord Weston a side look.“Mrs.Feathersom.That was her name.”
“Yes!”Lucius let out a hearty laugh.“Ambrose snuck into a chicken coop in the village and gathered a basket of feathers.The stinkiest ones he could find.Then he’d leave one for her to find every day.I think the one he left in her teapot—after she’d had a cup—was the last straw.”
“Lucius always mispronounced her name.”Her father warmed up to the subject.“Mrs.Somefeathers, Mrs.Nofeathers, Mrs.Featherless, and the worst one was Mrs.Fartfeathers.”
“How she could screech,” reminisced Annette.
“It sounds like all of you needed a good thrashing,” Lord Weston teased.
“They did indeed,” agreed Papa.
“But look how well they turned out.”Lady Henney raised her glass.“To rotten children maturing.”
“I don’t know if I’d call Pagemature,” said Hawkesbury.
“Egads, no,” agreed Fitzjames, holding up his glass.“But he definitely grew.”
“Nettie, shall we retire to the drawing room and wait for the gentlemen to join us?”asked Lady Henney.
She nodded, and the men rose as they made their way out of the room.Once settled, Alice leaned forward and took Annette’s hand.“Well, what are your thoughts so far?Favoring anyone in particular?”
“I was thinking earlier that if only I could combine the best qualities of each man, then I’d have the perfect husband.But I really don’t know if either of them are interested.”She chewed her bottom lip.“Mr.Hawkesbury tempts me with his intellect, and Mr.Fitzjames has so much energy.He would join me in any physical pursuit.”Annette regretted saying the last bit as soon as the twinkle came into Alice’s soft brown eyes.
“Oh, I’m sure he would, dear.And I have it from your brother that they are both interested.So put your mind to rest on that subject.”Alice giggled, then arranged her face in a more serious expression.“I don’t like the fact that Hawkesbury wants to live in Calcutta.Ambrose is just returning with his family.We can’t have you halfway across the world.”
Annette gave an inward sigh.Although she knew Alice loved her, it was nice to hear she wanted her stepdaughter to remain close.“Then we should strike him from the list.I would love to travel, but I don’t want to make my home anywhere but England.”
Alice patted her knee.“This is progress.Mr.H is crossed off.On to Mr.F.”
“He’s good-looking and active.I don’t think he’d enjoy being gone from Town for long.He also doesn’t seem to have any ambitions except to live off his father’s income.”
“It’s a substantial sum.”Alice tapped her chin.“He does have a small estate he will inherit from his maternal grandmother.He may be waiting for that.”
“True.He’s very charming.Almost…”
“Too charming?”asked Alice.“I was thinking the same thing.I fear he would consider a mistress as nothing unusual.What are your thoughts on that?”
