“I haven’t tried my hand at it in a long time, but it was something we were taught in school. I must say, it isn’t something I’ve known many women to take an interest in.”
Adelina frowned and turned to Felicity. “Why not, Jonesy? Is it not dignified? Ought I not be interested in maps?”
Felicity’s smile was gentle as she soothed his daughter. “It’s neither dignified nor undignified, my lady. There are many things most women don’t take an interest in that are perfectly acceptable, just not common. If you wish to be common, we can stick to needlework and watercolours. I have absolutely no desire to lead you astray from your aims.”
“No one wants to be common,” Adelina scoffed, making all the adults in the room have to hide their smiles.
“I think most ladies haven’t had an opportunity to even realize what they don’t know. But knowing how to read a map is just a matter of geography and mathematics, nothing exceptionally outrageous, I can assure you. And even if you never get to go places, you can have great adventures in your mind.”
The rest of the luncheon passed uneventfully as they filled their plates and enjoyed their meal while making conversation about the weather and other inanities. Gil marvelled at Felicity’s abilities in that regard. She was just like any lady of thetonhe might have encountered. What a strange combination she was proving to be. He couldn’t quite decide if she was an asset or a detriment to his daughter.
She must have been thinking the exact same thing. As the footmen were collecting their plates, Gil was surprised to hear her tell Adelina, “You go ahead back to the parlour we were in. I’ll meet you there in a quick minute. I just have to ask your father something.”
Uninterested in adult talk, Adelina scampered off without comment, leaving the two alone for a sudden moment as the servants followed her from the room.
“Your Grace, my deepest apologies. I know I have fairly unconventional ideas, but I had no intention of passing them on to Lady Adelina, especially not that of wishing to travel. I truly never meant to give her such an idea, even though I think it’s a wonderful exercise to know how to read and measure on a map. Please, accept my apology. I will fully understand if you have decided you require someone more conventional as her ladyship’s companion.”
Her pale, stricken face wiped all thought from his mind for the briefest moment. All Gil wanted to do was pull the girl into his arms. To offer comfort, he assured himself, even as he rejected the possibility.
“That will not be necessary, Miss Jones,” he answered her formally. “It was evident from your expression that you had not put her up to her request, even though it was something you would long to do.”
Her flush looked painfully hot, he thought with amusement as she nodded and shook her head all at the same time.
“Well, of course, I would love to travel, but I know it isn’t seemly, and I didn’t mean to make her want to do so.”
“I’m fairly certain Adelina will find something else to preoccupy her mind before we have to give it too much concern, Miss Jones, please, don’t trouble yourself.” Gilbert was surprising himself. He ought to take her up on her offer of leaving his employ since he found her so disturbing to his peace of mind, but he found himself assuring her. “At this point, I don’t think my life would be liveable if I were to allow you to leave the household. Adelina has grown that attached to you. So, while I would appreciate it if you make a greater effort in curbing your less dignified ideas, I don’t think we’re in any danger of turning my daughter into a wild eccentric.”
She was dipping into deeper and deeper curtsies as she tried to thank him profusely. Gil wished he could question her about her circumstances. It seemed evident to him that she really needed this employment. He knew he couldn’t turn her from his door even if he had wanted to. She was now one more responsibility he had to think about.
“I’ll see you at dinner, then,” he dismissed her suddenly, and she fled.