Page 35 of The Lady Glass
After an awkward first nightas Lady Glass, with far more male attention than Theresia had ever had in her life, she woke feeling apprehensive about playing the part again. Today an outing to town had been planned. She blamed Rolland for the minimal information she’d been given about the guests before being thrown to the wolves. But there was nothing for it; she would have to soldier on.
Leaving behind her stately bedchamber decorated in eggplant purple with its cloudlike bed behind, she reluctantly pushed her way down the corridor toward the staircase in search of the breakfast room. At least her gowns lent her confidence. Whether by miracle or magic, they fit as if tailored to her body. How had Rolland guessed correctly? Had he taken her measure after all their run-ins? Her eyes widened, but she blinked away the nonsensical thought.
She had never been to a dressmaker before, but the seminary had had a seamstress come by on occasion who had taken her measurements. The products then had been serviceable dresses of cheap material and the cut almost shapeless. Her stepmother had refused to pay for anything but the most basic of gowns, leaving Theresia to wonder whether there was a problem with their finances. After seeing Helena’s closet, she knew now that money had never been the problem. Her eyes lowered to her current skirt. Its fine material, ruffled on the end, billowed with each step down the corridor. Being a lady had its definite advantages.
“Lady Glass.”
Inwardly, she groaned. She hadn’t been paying attention. Who would she have to put on an act for now? She turned and relief filled her. “Mr. Lewis, good morning.”
“Good morning to you too. Did you sleep well?” Mr. EvanLewis came up beside her, sliding his thumbs into his waistcoat pockets in a carefree way and giving her a ready smile.
“My room exceeded my expectations.” Her words were an understatement. She had never slept in a softer bed. Thinking of her lavender-scented pillow and silky bedding made her want to sigh with pleasure. It topped her list of luxurious items that she had been showered with since agreeing to attend the house party.
“Excellent,” Mr. Lewis responded. “Ashbury Court is an old house, but I dare anyone to find a finer or more comfortable place. To me, nothing compares.”
“Oh? What sort of life have you had that you can compare so many fine houses to each other?” They turned at the top of the stairs and began descending, her eyes catching on the vaulted ceiling, grand seal above the door, and orange trees flanking it. She’d not truly appreciated the house’s splendor on her previous visits. Her mind had been so singly engaged on her vase.
Mr. Lewis shrugged. “I grew up outside of London. Father was a landed gentleman, and my future was set before I ever learned to walk. My mother’s affinity for travel kept us abroad off and on. I can only say my childhood was as idyllic as any, which is how I can explain being in more homes than I can count. Sadly, that changed when my mother passed away and I was sent off to school. But after a week visiting here, I knew there was nothing I liked better than Ashbury Court.”
Theresia paused on the bottom step. Mr. Lewis was so forthcoming and easy to talk to that she could not help but like him. In the space of a single evening together in the same room, she’d learned he was a bit of a flirt. Harmless, of course, and no doubt lonely. “Thank you for telling me your story, Mr. Lewis. I appreciate your ability to see your life with such a grateful eye.”
He grinned. “How could I not? The difficulty in life is at the tip of our nose, so why waste our time seeking it out? I would ratherchase after the happy moments and consume my thoughts with them.”
She laughed. “How very well said. I feel I know you completely, and we have only conversed twice altogether.”
“Not all men are as hard to read or as difficult to pry information from as our dear Captain Reese.”
“Should I take offense to that?”
Theresia whipped her head around to see Rolland jogging down the stairs, his hair neatly combed back, accentuating the sharp lines of his jaw and forehead, and his jacket was perfectly pressed. But no amount of tidiness could hide the ruggedness of his appearance: the tanned skin, the bulging muscles beneath his coat, or the knowledge that he could bowl a person over without hesitation.
She smiled at that last thought.
“You’re as quiet-footed as Cadogen, Reese.” Mr. Lewis chuckled. “Now, there is a man who can sneak up on a person.”
“Are you taking breakfast on the stairs, Lewis?” Rolland asked. “Or are you planning on showing our guest to the breakfast room?”
Mr. Lewis’s eyes went to the muralled ceiling of dancing cherubs. “All business and little pleasure makes a boy very, very dull, my friend.”
“My favorite quality.” Rolland lifted his arm to Theresia. “Come, Lady Glass. You must be famished after letting Lewis talk your ear off.”
She accepted his arm and gave another laugh. “Mr. Lewis did no such thing. In fact, I rather enjoyed his company. But since I am famished, I will gladly accept your lead.” In truth, she was more comfortable with Rolland and was pleased he had found her so quickly. If she trusted anyone in this house, it was him. Just being near him set her at ease.
They stepped off the landing, curled around the stair, andcrossed the large entryway. “How about a tour after breakfast?” Rolland asked. “It’s early yet, and we have some time before our ride into town.”
Lewis interrupted from behind them. “Thank you for the invitation, but uneven numbers in a party can be devastating. I would hate to leave Captain Reese out.”
“Very selfless of you to stay behind, Lewis.” Rolland steered her farther down the corridor. “I’m certain Her Grace would accompany us.”
Theresia glanced up and caught the captain’s soft gaze. “I would love a tour.” He was looking at her differently today. Had she passed the line from nuisance to friend?
The breakfast room was crowded already. It wasn’t as pleasant as it could have been if either of her two new friends, Lady Cadogen or the duchess, were present. She could use all the allies available in the house. She turned her attention to the guests present, observing them carefully.
Her gaze met that of Lord Vernon, whose shrewd eyes were intent on her own. Did he suspect her as an imposter? She drew her best cheerful smile, but Lord Vernon did not reciprocate. Instead his brows lowered with suspicion. A shiver ran down her back, and she forced her attention to the others, reminding herself that his possessing a calculating stare did not mean anything. Her identity was safe, and there was no reason to think Lord Vernon was murdering her in his thoughts. He had every right to be curious about a new house guest he’d never heard of before.
Mr. Stewart was an easier man to study. He had a pleasant face, and his long yellow side-whiskers bounced as he spoke endlessly about politics to Mr. Haversham. Mr. Haversham’s high voice agreed with everything Mr. Stewart said. He did the same with his wife too. Mrs. Haversham, on the other hand, had strong opinions, and she shared them without invitation.Mrs. Stone would’ve had an apoplexy hearing a woman interrupt a conversation so frequently, only to remark about eggs, the weather, the state of Mr. Haversham’s napkin, and her aching back. Their daughter was quiet and seemed to take after her father in temperament, although her looks were more similar to her mother.
Thankfully, Theresia had little need to talk at breakfast. She did not think she would have managed under Lord Vernon’s watchful eye. She promised herself she would be braver next time and set her napkin on the table when she finished, eager to quit the room.
