by Abby Ayles
Lady Annabelle’s mood had lifted, which surprised and pleased her. She treasured Lady Julia and her ways. Talking to her always made everything better. She put her arm through Lady Julia’s and squeezed her. “You are a good friend, Lady Julia.”
Lady Julia grinned. “As are you.”
They went through the door one at a time, Lady Julia leaving first with Lady Annabelle directly behind her. Lady Annabelle felt the satin straps under her chin loosening. A good breeze would surely knock her hat off her head. She put one hand on the top of her head and the other on the straps. Sure enough, the bow had come loose.
“Oh dear,” she said, fiddling with the straps. She could easily retie them but how they would look worried her. She did not want a messy bow under her chin. She stopped Lady Julia and made her look at the straps.
“Please,” she heard to her left. She turned her head and saw Lord Gilbert Balfour approaching, a wide smile on his face. She looked away from the unbrushed teeth to his dark eyes. They were like pools of black snakes swimming around in the mud. She had to avert her eyes again, choosing to look to the side as if she was thinking. “Allow me to fix your bow, Lady Annabelle.”
Before she could protest, Lord Gilbert was untying the bow and retying it, straightening the satin so that it lay flat against her chin. “There. That is much better.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her so she could look in the reflection of the window. He released her almost immediately but where he had touched her made her feel uncomfortable.
“Does that look better?” he asked. She moved her eyes over the reflection, noting that her face looked like she had just been frightened nearly to death. She forced herself to change the look, making it a more amiable, innocent look. She did not want to seem like a frightened rabbit.
“It does look better,” she said in a voice much more confident than she felt. “Thank you, my lord, for your assistance.”
“It was my pleasure, my lady.” Lord Gilbert turned away from her, returning to Lady Joanna’s side. He smiled at Lord Leonard. “That is how you treat a lady, my brother. If you were not so shy, you would know that.”
“I am not shy,” Lord Leonard said. “I am selective. I choose my words wisely and it leaves me with time to analyze and observe. Something you, my brother, might oblige yourself in attempting sometime.”
Lord Gilbert shook his head, laughter on his face. Lady Annabelle thought Lord Leonard’s comments were on target. It was a shame Lord Gilbert did not take him seriously. He was intelligent.
She suspected he was much more intelligent than Lord Gilbert but let his brother stand in the spotlight so he did not have to. It was much more Lord Gilbert’s nature to be outspoken anyway.
“We must not stand here out in the open all day,” Lady Cecilia said. Lady Annabelle had almost forgotten her little sister was with them. She had wandered off in the shop and was only now coming out.
“Come, there are other shops I want to visit before the day is done. It is a beautiful day but I will burn if I stand here for long. So will you, Lady Annabelle.”
Lady Annabelle nodded. “You are right, Lady Cecilia. There, we can get some pastries and cold tea.” She pointed to a small café directly on the other side of the street.
“Allow me.” Once again, Lord Gilbert came to stand by her. He took her hand and looking both ways, he crossed the street with her, holding her hand up in the air as if she was an invalid or royalty.
She did not know how to feel about it. It felt to her like he was touching her more than he should be. She did not want him to kiss her hand, help her in and out of a carriage, help her across the street. She was not helpless and did not like to be treated like a fragile child.
She gave him a cursory smile, pulling her hand away as soon as she was on the other side of the street. She turned to go in, catching the look on Lady Joanna’s face. She was angry. Lord Gilbert was deliberately treating her special to make the girl jealous.
Her feelings toward Lord Gilbert were already sour. Thinking that he was hurting Lady Joanna on purpose made it worse. She picked up her skirt and hurried over to where Lady Joanna was standing in the street, as if she was not going to come in the café. “Lady Joanna. Come with me. I want to sit with you and talk to you.”
Lady Joanna’s eyes widened. She was not expecting Lady Annabelle to do that. Lady Annabelle held on to her friend’s elbow and directed her up the three steps to the door of the café. She smiled at Lady Joanna to show she held no ill will against her and the two of them entered the café.
“Come and sit with me at a table over here, Lady Joanna,” Lady Annabelle said, taking her friend’s hand. Lady Joanna was still in shock and could do nothing but obey. She followed Lady Annabelle to a small table for two in the corner of the café. She sat at one end so she could look across at Lady Joanna.
She did not think about what she wanted to say before she said it. She just started talking.
Chapter 21
“Lady Joanna. You must tell me why you would say those things about Duke Colbourn when you are so obviously taken with Lord Gilbert.”
She leaned forward with one hand and placed it on the table, ignoring the fact that the rest of their group had entered the café and taken a different table, their eyes fixed on the two girls in the corner.
“Lady Joanna, you know that I am interested in the duke. Are you trying to hurt me?”
She tried to read the look on Lady Joanna’s face. It seemed a mixture of guilt and bitterness. “I am not trying to hurt you, Lady Annabelle,” the girl said in a low voice.
“Then why would you say such things.”
Lady Joanna looked down, her cheeks turning red. “I… have you thought that what I have said might be true?”
Lady Annabelle shook her head. “You know your words are not true. You should tell the duke and duchess they are not true. You know it is not possible. He was not near you long enough to do such things. Not without being seen or heard.”
Lady Joanna shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She refused to meet Lady Annabelle’s gaze. Lady Annabelle stared at her for what seemed like an hour but was really only a few minutes.
“I am disappointed, Lady Joanna,” Lady Annabelle’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “I am so disappointed.”
Without another thought, Lady Annabelle stood up and walked out of the café. She did not know where she was going and she prayed God would send Lady Julia after her. She felt stifled in the café and did not want to be there anymore.
She did not walk quickly. She knew Lady Julia would be catching up with her in a few moments.
True to form, her friend hurried up beside her and slowed her pace to walk with her. “Lady Annabelle, what did you say to Lady Joanna? She is crying in the café.”
“I simply asked her for the truth. She refused to give it to me.”
“She is very stubborn, the poor dear. She does not want to admit to anything.” Lady Julia’s voice was sad. She slipped her arm through Lady Annabelle’s and they walked together in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the fresh air.
“I apologize for leaving that way, Lady Julia,” Lady Annabelle finally said. “It felt like I was being suffocated in a box.”
Lady Julia shook her head. “I was not willing to spend much more of my time with the Lords Balfour.”
“I would like to go home, if I am honest with you,” Lady Annabelle said.
Lady Julia nodded. “I know. You want to talk to Duke Colbourn. He is bound to be back by now. The duke and duchess will have talked to him already.”
Lady Annabelle pulled in a breath. “Yes. They have had plenty of time to talk to him.”
“You must stay calm. He will not be angry with you. I am sure of it. He will be wondering how you are feeling about it. If he does not mention it, you know he is not interested in your opinion. But he will ask.”
Lady Annabelle looked down at her friend’s slender, pale face. “You seem so sure.”
/> Lady Julia shrugged daintily. “I am sure. I see the way he looks at you. There is no doubt. I would take bets on that.”
Lady Annabelle laughed softly. “I hope you would win.”
They had stopped walking and were standing outside another shop, this one with three pretty dresses displayed in the window. The girls remarked on the beauty of the fabric and decided to go in. They looked around the shop, admiring what was offered but not buying anything.
By the time Lady Annabelle left the dress shop, she felt much calmer. She walked back in the direction of the café. If her sister was still there, she planned to suggest they go back to the mansion. She was calm but she was still determined to speak to the duke.
She did not have to wait until she got home. She spotted his horse coming down the street from a distance. Her hand on Lady Julia’s arm squeezed tight. Lady Julia let out a small cry and looked at Lady Annabelle with alarm on her face.
“Lady Annabelle! What is wrong?”
Lady Annabelle turned to Lady Julia with wide eyes. “He has come to the shopping district. That can only mean he is looking for us.”
Lady Julia looked down the street and saw him coming on horseback. “You saw him from that far away?” Her voice sounded surprised. She gave Lady Annabelle a wide-eyed look. “My goodness, Lady Annabelle.”
Lady Annabelle just laughed. “I hope he is not angry.”
“He will not be angry with you,” Lady Julia said in a cautionary voice. “But do not expect him to be in a cheerful mood. My sister will have to deal with the consequences.”
They continued to walk toward the approaching duke. Lady Annabelle wondered if he had seen them yet.
The Duke of Cardinal did see the women. He caught sight of Lady Annabelle’s pretty yellow dress from far away. There was no doubt it was her. His heart did a flip and he pulled in his breath. He had to talk to her but would he be able to alone? Lady Julia was with her, as always.
Before he reached them, he had already decided to speak freely, whether Lady Julia left them alone or not.
Before they met, he had to pass by the café. He did not know the rest of the group was in there, including Lady Joanna. When they all came out on the street, he instinctively jerked on the reins of his horse, causing the animal to swerve to the left. He steadied the horse and got his wits back. Lady Joanna was staring at him with a terrified look on her face. Lord Gilbert and Lord Leonard backed away from the women, not willing to get involved. They had no standing with the duke and knew it fully.
Lady Cecilia moved, as well, but it was in the direction of her sister and Lady Julia. She kept looking over her shoulder until she reached them. She turned and walked beside Lady Annabelle, looking up at her big sister. “What is he going to say to her, Lady Annabelle?”
Lady Annabelle gave her sister a sarcastic look. “I do not know what he is going to say, Lady Cecilia. How could I know?”
Lady Cecilia did not respond. She looked at the duke as he approached. They were all going to meet in front of the café.
The Duke of Cardinal did not get down from his horse. He sat tall in it, glaring down at Lady Joanna. She would not look up at him. He took it as a sign of her guilt.
“As you can see, I have not been sent away, Lady Joanna.” His voice was stern and angry but level. He moved his eyes to Lady Annabelle when she walked closer to them. Lady Julia and Lady Cecilia stopped walking a few feet before Lady Annabelle. “Have you anything to say for yourself?”
Lady Joanna said nothing. Her face was beet red and she was staring at the ground.
The Duke of Cardinal looked at Lady Annabelle again, searching her face for anger or betrayal. He saw neither. What he saw made a warm feeling swim through his body. It stymied his anger at Lady Joanna. A feeling that pleasant was more powerful than the troubles the young lady had caused him.
“You must find another way to seek attention, Lady Joanna,” he said in a voice much softer than he had been using. “I will not tolerate any more rumors or lies. Is that understood?”
Lady Joanna just nodded her head. She had yet to look up at him.
Giving up on the girl, the Duke of Cardinal edged his horse forward to get closer to her. “Lady Annabelle. If you would be so kind as to walk with me.”
“I would be glad to, my lord,” Lady Annabelle responded.
He dismounted and threw the reins of his horse over a small white hitching post in front of the café. Turning his back to Lady Joanna, he bowed to Lady Cecilia and Lady Julia. “If you would care to walk with us, you are welcome.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Cecilia said, dropping into a small curtsy. They waited as he went to Lady Annabelle and offered her his arm.
Lady Annabelle’s heart was pounding in her chest. She took his arm and looked up at him with warm eyes.
“I was afraid you were angry with me, my lord,” she said. “It appears you are not.”
He gave her a questioning look. “I see no reason why I would be angry with you, my lady. Did you participate in or agree with what the young lady was saying?”
“No, my lord, I did not.”
He shook his head. “I did not think you did. It was odd, do you not agree? Why is she angry with me?”
“I suppose it is because you did not return her interest.”
The Duke of Cardinal looked at Lady Annabelle, confused. He had not seen a great deal of flirting coming from Lady Joanna. Once or twice, perhaps. But nothing serious enough for him to take notice of. “She showed no interest in me.”
Lady Annabelle grinned. “You may not have noticed, my lord. You are a man. Men sometimes do not see what is right in front of them.”
The Duke of Cardinal looked so comically confused, Lady Annabelle had to laugh.
“You are laughing at me.” The Duke of Cardinal did not sound offended. It sounded like he was ready to laugh himself.
“I do not mean to, Your Grace, it is just… I have seen that look on my father’s face when he is trying to understand my mother.”
The Duke of Cardinal grinned at her. “I am complimented by your comparison. The Duke of Norrend is a gentleman that I aspire to imitate.”
“My mother is not a woman I aspire to imitate,” Lady Annabelle said. “She is strict and much stronger than I could ever be with my children. She has taught me well. But when I have my own children, I will give them…”
She hesitated, looking up at the duke. She was talking about children. He wanted children. She’d heard him say so. “I will give them more hugs than I have received from my mother.”
Her sentiment made the Duke of Cardinal think of his own mother and how loving she had been to him. She and his father had cared deeply for each other and it reflected in the way they treated their sons. He missed her. He would find time to introduce the lovely Lady Annabelle to her before too long had passed.
“That is good of you, Lady Annabelle. I would hope that the mother of my children would be loving to them. I know you have learned that from the Duke of Norrend, have you not? He is very open with his affection for you and Lady Cecilia.”
“He is a good father,” Lady Annabelle said. “And the duchess is a good mother. She is just not the type of mother I plan to be.”
The duke nodded. “I understand what you are saying, my lady.”
They turned at the end of the block to go back in the other direction, crossing the street first.
“Would you like to stop for a pastry? Or did you eat at the café with the rest of them?”
Lady Annabelle shook her head. “I did not eat. I was… feeling ill. I wanted to go home. I wanted to…” Should she tell him she was aching to see him, to make sure he was not banished from the mansion or angry with her for not standing up for him?
“You wanted to speak to me.” He finished the sentence for her.
She hesitated. “I did.” She admitted it. She might as well. He obviously knew. He stopped and turned to face her. Behind them, Lady Julia and Lady Cecilia stopped a
few feet away, pretending to look in the window of the shop next to them.
“I wanted to speak to you, too, my lady. I was very concerned that you would believe Lady Joanna and think that I am not who I claim to be. I came here seeking the beauty of portraits and paintings men brought to the world over the last several hundred years. But what I found was the beauty of the present. You are that beauty, Lady Annabelle. I have asked the Duke of Norrend for permission to court you. He has given it.”
Lady Annabelle’s knees weakened and almost gave way. He caught her under her elbows and helped her straighten herself up. He had to chuckle softly. “Are you that surprised he would say yes?” he asked in an amused voice.
She laughed with him. “I am not surprised,” she said. “I am relieved. I am so glad this day has turned out so much nicer than I thought it would. I was afraid. Afraid that Lady Joanna would be believed. That the duchess would send you away. But here you are. With me.” She pulled in her breath. “I am happy.”