Page 40 of The Lady Glass
“He’s no dandy,” Andalin agreed, tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear, “but that is hardly the point. Don’t you desire his opinion?”
All at once their intentions added up. “Do you mean to think that he and I—that we... that we care for each other? Honestly, I drive the man mad with my stubbornness. There is no tendre between us, I can assure you.”
Tansy lowered her voice and stepped closer. “But he’s especially protective of you, singling you out at every opportunity.”
Andalin closed their tight circle by bringing her head nearer the others by a few more inches. “My Ellis is of a similar temperament to the captain, aloof and serious. But the eyes cannot lie. And the way Captain Reese looks at you clearly expresses a degree of interest. I would even wager he cares far more than that.”
Theresia glanced around them to make sure no one could possibly overhear their whispered allegations. They were the only customers present, and the store clerk was on the opposite side of the place, humming to herself. “You must believe me. It’s an act. Truly, I annoy him more than anything.”
Andalin’s mouth puckered in a curious frown. “We are all in this sordid house party together, so I know acting is required to some extent. But I cannot believe it isallan act.”
“Shall we test him?” Tansy’s blue eyes sparkled. “Marcus has taught me a few things about reading people.”
“Shall we?” Andalin rubbed her hands together.
These two were impossible, but their excited mood was contagious. Theresia wanted to say yes, because how could she not be curious after hearing their observations? But reality squashed any chance of hope seeping to the surface. Captain Reese care for her? Ridiculous. He was a handsome officer and a future baron. She was just Theresia. “You will be vastly disappointed, I’m afraid.”
Her words as good as granted them permission, because they fled from her side and through the door. On the other side of the window, she watched them latch on to each of the captain’s arms and propel him inside the milliners. Dare she hide again? It might be better than facing the captain’s deep scowl of disapproval.
Lord Vernon traipsed in behind them, whining loudly, “I wasn’t finished with our conversation, Captain.”
No one answered him.
“What do you think, Captain?” Andalin released him only when he was directly in front of Theresia. “Doesn’t Lady Glass look well in bold colors?”
The bonnet. Theresia had forgotten all about the silly thing on her head. Her cheeks burned and probably matched the red velvet perfectly. She envisioned the overall effect was more akin to a ripe tomato than an appealing debutante. What would he say? He wouldn’t be mean—no, he was stern but never unkind—but neither did she want him to feel exasperated.
The sharp line of Rolland’s mouth wavered and even lifted a little in one corner. “Lady Glass looks well in any color.”
He had noticed her unease and sought to right it, but that was not all. His gaze penetrated her own, filled with equal amounts depth and flirtation, drawing her in completely. Somewhere between his words and his look, Theresia’s heart stuttered. How one unexpected compliment could leave her so breathless, she could not say. She caught her friends’ pleased expressions but did her utter best to school her own. “That’s kind of you to say.” Their gazes remained connected, and for that brief moment, he made her feel like they were the only ones in the store.
“Not that my opinion matters,” Lord Vernon interrupted. “But I think the bonnet the perfect fit for Lady Glass. It’s quite becoming.”
As if in unison, their eyes all widened, save for those of Lord Vernon, who seemed quite pleased with his unsolicited compliment. Why did the first positive thing she’d witnessed out of his mouth have to pertain to her? Had she passed some sort of test, or was his compliment another form of deception?
Theresia squirmed under his appreciative gaze and attempted to force a thank-you when Rolland spoke first.
“If that is all you require, we shall leave you ladies to it. How about finishing our earlier conversation outside, Lord Vernon?” Rolland put his hand on the man’s shoulder, steering him toward the door and not stopping until they were outside.
The last thing Theresia heard was Lord Vernon’s words. “Isn’t England’s inflation abominable? This blasted country can’t do anything right.”
Tansy frowned. “I had hoped for a more in-depth test that required more than one simple question, but I suppose we made our point.”
Andalin tapped her chin. “It did produce telling results. What did you think, Theresia?”
Theresia wasn’t going to play their game. “A compliment is no proposal of marriage. Nothing to be overly excited about.”
His look, however, was everything.
How could she not have reacted to those short seconds during which she’d felt like the only one Rolland could see? Surely she’d imagined it. No, she couldn’t have. But what did it mean? She had so little experience in Society that she couldn’t trust herself to measure the depth of a single, meaningful glance. Her well-read mind borrowed scenarios from books from the seminary, and her imagination leaped from one romantic idea to another, searching for his true intent.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Tansy studied Theresia with a keen eye before answering her own question with a decisive nod. “You go right ahead and dream of him while we buy your bonnet. I know I relived every moment with Marcus a thousand times in my head.”
Andalin plucked off the bonnet. “I am buying you this.”
Tansy grinned. “Then, I shall get the gloves and a few ribbons.”
Theresia opened her mouth to argue. “I don’t mind—”
