Page 54 of Mending the Baron's Sins
Chapter 16
“My Lord! How wonderful for us to be here again! I must thank you for your kind invitation.” Miss Grace Bonneville’s American tones rang through the house.
Horace winced, for only Adam’s eyes to see. Adam promptly hid his laughter in his glass of claret.
“Can I get you a drink to contend with this evening, cousin?” Adam asked, as Miss Bonneville’s and Walter’s footsteps grew nearer.
“Erm…” Horace looked toward the wine, which was placed on the dining table nearby. The decanters glistened in the candlelight beneath the heavily timbered roof, but he had no wish to partake. He could imagine Orla was there, standing beside him, concernedly shaking her head.
Ah, how I wish she was here. This evening would be infinitely better if she were.
“Orla has provided something for you,” Adam added quickly. “She has put together a cordial.”
“Excellent. Thank you, Adam.”
Adam moved to the table to pour out the cordial, just as Miss Bonneville and Walter reached his side.
“My Lord!” Miss Bonneville swept into a deep curtsy just as Lavinia reached his side too, finally done fussing with the ribbons on the shoulders of her gown. Lavinia’s eyes ate up the display of reverence Miss Bonneville was making.
Horace didn’t need to hear his sister’s thoughts. He could read it all on her face.
She likes Miss Bonneville already.
“Miss Bonneville.” Horace bowed his head to her. “Walter, thank you for coming. How are you?” He turned to his friend.
Walter didn’t look at ease at all. His eyes were flicking between Miss Bonneville and Horace repeatedly.
“Well enough.” Unusually, Walter did not ask how Horace was feeling.
“May I introduce my sister to you, Miss Bonneville? This is Lady Lavinia Hamilton, Marchioness Marbourne.”
At the grand introduction, Miss Bonneville sank into another deep curtsy, this one so deep that she looked ready to drop to the floor on her knees.
“It is a true honor to meet you, my lady,” Miss Bonneville gushed. “When my dear friend told me he knew such reverent company as yourselves, I did not believe him at first.” She added a childish giggle. Lavinia seemed to find this very amusing indeed, but Horace did not, and neither did Walter.
Poor Walter was now fussing with his own cravat, trying his best to get it to sit straight.
“Here you go,” Adam whispered, passing the cordial into Horace’s grasp.
“Thank you,” Horace murmured, taking a rather large gulp from it before he remembered that it would have no alcohol in it. “Well, shall we sit for dinner?”
“Yes, indeed.” Lavinia led the way toward the table. “Oh, no, Miss Bonneville. You must sit here, beside my brother.” Miss Bonneville was suddenly orchestrated into the chair beside Horace.
“Oh, what an honor indeed.” Miss Bonneville sat down and might as well have batted her eyelashes at Horace when she smiled at him in such a simpering way.
Horace looked at his cousin in panic to see Adam once again hiding an amused chuckle behind his wineglass. Walter was not so amused. He took his seat on Miss Bonneville’s other side, trying his best to get her attention.
“We were talking of your travels, Miss Bonneville,” he said, leaning toward her, just as Horace’s staff walked in with the food.
Horace didn’t pay attention. His eyes darted between the maids as he searched for one face in particular. He was just beginning to give up hope when Orla entered the room. His eyes shot toward hers. He was admiring her rosy cheeks and the way she smiled at him, crossing the room toward him. He leaned back in his chair, pleased that she seemed to be coming straight toward him.
“Here,” she whispered, beneath the cover of Miss Bonneville’s happy chatter. “This will help to keep your stomach calm.” She placed down a small cup of soup beside his glass. “Trust me.” She winked.
His stomach felt as if it somersaulted.
“Oh, I do,” he assured her deeply. She didn’t move for a second, but just stared back at him.
Ah, Orla. We cannot stay apart, can we?
