Page 26 of Falling for a Forsaken Marquess
Mother and daughter briefly looked at each other with raised eyebrows before smiling and agreeing with the duchess. William didn’t think his mother had picked up on the silent communication between the two women, but his observant eyes had seen it all.
Perhaps there was a certain level of competition between the young women, especially as they were both in Cheltenham for the same reason. However, Agnes had been matched to him, and Miss Philips had obviously been matched to someone else; thus, there should be no need for competition.
William gave a mental shrug, finding no other reason for the look between mother and daughter. It was not his concern, anyway, but that didn’t stop the vague, unsettling feeling he had.
“It is such a disappointment to know that we have been to Cheltenham dozens of times in the past but never become acquainted with you, Your Grace,” Lady Frampton mentioned. “How fortunate we were to meet you at the Pittville Pump Room.”
“Well, you were so gracious to give up your table just so my friend and I could have our usual seats,” the duchess returned. “The least I could do was invite you to my home. I think it all rather fortuitous as I was able to meet people who come from the very same town as Agnes.”
“You should come to Lydney one day, My Lord,” said Miss Philips. “It is a beautiful town.”
William planned to do nothing of the sort, not when Agnes and her family resided there.
“Perhaps I shall one day, Miss Philips,” he replied. “It is close to Cheltenham, after all.”
The young woman smiled at him, fluttering her eyelashes. The flirtation was subtle, and he might have missed it if he had not once been madly in love with a woman who had flirted as easily as she breathed. William was taken aback as Miss Philips had come to town to meet another gentleman, yet she was undoubtedly interested in him.
For all Agnes’ faults— and there were many— she had not done anything as forward as Miss Philips. Agnes had not even tried to charm or compliment him but had simply been talkative, saying whatever came to mind even if it was inappropriate.
Lady Frampton and her daughter took their leave after the duchess made a passing comment about the evening approaching quicker than usual. They had taken the hint and avoided the faux pas of overstaying their welcome. William was glad to see them go and eager to return to his room to pick a book to read, but his mother stopped him before his feet reached the stairs.
“William, dear,” she called, making him turn around.
“Yes, Mother?”
“I would be delighted if you could join us for dinner this evening,” she said. “I have missed you these last few days. Even Jacob has wondered at your absence. He was worried that he was driving you away from the dinner table, but I told him not to be ridiculous.”
“Jacob would be the last person to drive me away from the dinner table,” William told her. “I planned to have a meal later tonight as I have some reading to do now.”
“Please, William,” the duchess pleaded. “I would like to have a meal with my family.”
The begging in his mother’s voice was his downfall. “Very well. I will be there.”
“Lovely,” she replied, raising her cheek to be kissed. “I must go and freshen up. Will you escort me upstairs?”
William nodded, taking his mother’s arm. They spoke on general subjects until they reached her room, where they parted. He found that he couldn’t concentrate on any of his books, so he rested until summoned downstairs at the dinner hour, where he found his parents and brother already seated.
“’Tis good to see you, brother,” said Jacob. “We are like strangers in this house!”
William said nothing and sat down, taking a seat opposite his brother. He still didn’t trust that Jacob had turned over a new leaf, but all William could do was wait for him to make a mistake and prove that he hadn’t changed at all. The first course was served, and conversation was held by mainly his mother and brother. William was much like his father; neither of them was a talker.
“It was a shame that you did not meet Miss Philips today, Jacob,” she said. “She comes from the same town as Agnes.”
“Oh?” the man said, his interest piqued. “Does she know Agnes? I imagine she does.”
“Yes. Miss Philips spoke as though they were good friends. Such a charming young woman, although I must admit that I prefer Agnes’ liveliness. There is something so pure and lovely about her.”
“I agree, Mother,” said Jacob. “I enjoyed my conversation with Miss Humphries.”
“As did I,” the duchess replied. “William, dear, please make yourself available for at least one afternoon this week. I have invited Agnes to have tea with us, and I would really like you to be at home. Will you do that for your mother?”
“Of course,” William agreed begrudgingly. “I will be here.”
“Wonderful!” the duchess exclaimed. “I cannot wait to see her again as I have missed her sweet laugh. I may have only met her once, but I feel as though I have known her much longer.”
William listened with one ear as his mother raved about Agnes and spoke about her as though she would one day be part of the family. Little did she know that he was plotting the best way never to let that happen.
Chapter 8
