Page 37 of A Secret Infatuation
“Follow me, if you please.” He opened it and announced, “Mr. Felix Harwood. Miss Harwood.”
Lady Sophia was the only one in the drawing room, and she stood as they entered. Signs of distress were discernable on her face, but he did not think their visit the cause of it for she was smiling. As he advanced to greet her, the private door to the drawing room opened, and Lady Camilla entered.
He bowed first to Lady Sophia and then to her sister. “Good day. I hope we have not called at an inconvenient time. We do not intend to stay long. Allow me to present my sister, Miss Margaret Harwood.”
Lady Sophia’s face transformed into a welcoming smile and she advanced, holding out her hand. “How do you do, Miss Harwood? I am Lady Sophia, and this is my sister, Lady Camilla.”
Meg looked like she was ready to sink into the floor and, blushing furiously, she managed to curtsy.
Felix saw understanding dawn in Lady Sophia’s features, as she seemed to grasp that his sister was even shyer than she was.
She clasped Meg’s hand, then indicated the sofa. “Will you both sit?”
“We truly do not wish to trespass upon your time,” he assured her again, “but I remember my promise to plan a picnic for Lady Matilda. As my sister and I were nearby, I took it upon myself to come and propose a day. I also wished to present my sister in hopes that she might come as well.”
Sophia turned to her, her smile still in place. “You are very welcome to come, if you wish it. It would be lovely to have you.” She turned her eyes back to Felix, and her expression had relaxed, as though the distressing occurrence had faded from mind. “What day do you propose?”
Felix had not thought that far ahead. But the desire to have the picnic sooner rather than later propelled him to say, “I thought Saturday would be ideal, if that suits you.”
Lady Sophia glanced at her sister before replying. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are free.”
“Excellent. I propose to hire a waterman in Richmond. He will take us to a meadow I know of along the banks, and at the end of our picnic, he will row us back.” He hesitated. “The only thing we must consider is that the carriage ride to Richmond might be as long as two hours, which means a full-day excursion. Does that sound like something you…your sister would wish to do?”
If he had had any fear that this constraint would make the picnic unpalatable, her expression dispelled it. “It sounds like a perfect way to spend the day. I think I can speak for Tilly and say yes.”
Lady Camilla exchanged a glance with her sister. “My brother is home on holiday, and I am sure he would be glad to join us.”
“Wonderful.”
His smile felt like it might split his cheeks, and if anyone cared to read the direction of his thoughts, they might easily do so. When they left, however, Meg had an entirely different subject occupying her mind.
“Oh, Felix! We are to picnic with an earl. How ever will I find anything to say?”
Chapter 16
Pen, their maid-of-all-work, carried the picnic basket from the kitchen and set it near the front door next to other provisions for the picnic. “Cook said this is the last of it.”
Sophia glanced at the pile, wondering again if they should bring a servant to help. But Mr. Harwood had sent a note, saying not to concern herself with preparing for the picnic, for he would take care of all that was needed. She trusted him, but could not help but wish to contribute.
“Thank you. Have George One bring this to the carriage.” The maid nodded and went off to find the footman.
Tilly came downstairs, carrying a sketchbook, her stuffed reticule dangling from her arm. Sophia looked her over and said, “You will need a bonnet. Go up and fetch your brown poke with the large rim.”
Her sister turned without protest and hurried upstairs. She had spoken of nothing else but the picnic since they had received the invitation. Camilla moved to the side for Tilly as she descended the stairs, tying her bonnet under one ear. She had joked that morning that she was not interested in attending another picnic and would much rather sit inside and be lazy. Then, with a look of innocence, added that instead she must play duenna to Sophia and Mr. Harwood.
Sophia had sent her a look of mild reproof, hoping Camilla did not truly know the way of her heart. Her feelings were so full and large and raw, and the fact that they were hers alone was her only comfort. Besides, there was no reason to think he was organizing the picnic for her, when he had specifically stated that he was fulfilling his promise to Tilly.
Joanna would not be joining them, for their groom had told her that Mr. Cushings, known to be extremely wealthy and an excellent judge of horseflesh, was bringing home the new black chestnut he had bought at Tattersall’s. Joanna would not miss that for the world.
Apart from Mr. Harwood and his sister, it would be Sophia, Camilla, Tilly, and Evo—if he did not change his mind at the last minute. Where is he? She went into the drawing room, where she found her brother, flipping through a book at a pace too quick to read anything.
“There you are. Did you still wish to come?”
Lately, Evo had been making himself scarce for hours at a time and gave only vague answers when asked where he had been. Suspecting her brother was getting into mischief, Sophia was making more of an effort to invite him to accompany his sisters on any outing he might find pleasurable. Today, however, she did not push him into attending, for after his display in front of Robert, she had no wish to have him embarrass her in front of Mr. Harwood.
He stood and grabbed a walking stick leaning on the chair next to him. “I found this in the room in the attic that’s filled with boxes. Thought it might come in handy.”
Sophia’s thoughts had returned to Mr. Harwood. She was too nervous at seeing him to respond and followed Evo into the corridor.
