“Not every declaration a woman gives, especially ones pronounced in anger, should be considered irrevocable. As readily as a lady is to set her mind upon something, with a little persuasion, she yet may change it.”
Augustus now stood before me, and ever-so-slowly he lifted the rose again.
I swallowed, wondering what I had just gotten myself into. But certainly there was not so much wrong with allowing some semblance of a rapport with Augustus. After all, he had saved me from a visit to Sandson, and he did seem sincere in his desire to make things right between us. In truth, it seemed heartless not to allow for it as long as I made my intentions clear. I quirked a brow at him. “A token of friendship?”
A curious smile touched Augustus’s features. “If you will receive it as that.”
Careful not to prick my finger on the thorns, I took hold of the rose. “I would like nothing better.”
He did not relinquish it immediately, his hand situated just below mine on the stem. “Truly?”
“Truly.” With my acknowledgment he released his hold, and I lifted the rose to smell it, glancing up at him as I did so.
Augustus’s smile was radiant.
“What has the two of you looking so excited?” Ruth asked, walking toward us.
I lowered my hand, the rose dangling at my side. “We were discussing our friendship.”
“Oh.” Ruth glanced between us with a perplexed expression. “And what has been decided?”
Augustus’s eyes flickered to me. “That we are to once again be friends.”
Ruth scrunched up her nose, causing a deep line to form across the bridge of it. “And at what point were the two of you not friends?”
“We have always been friends.” I glanced at Augustus for confirmation, and he cautiously nodded his agreement. “We were only in need of talking through a few things.”
Ruth looked a touch hesitant. “I suppose those things are to stay between the two of you?”
Before I could decide upon an appropriate response, Augustus stepped forward and placed a hand around Ruth’s shoulder. “Yes. At least for now.”
“It’s just as well. Why burden myself when you have begun to work it all out? So long as you do, of course. For I can’t imagine anything that could cause a rift between the two of you.”
Eight years without so much as one word from him seemed an adequate refutation, but I suppressed my comment. “Well, we are on our way to bridging it.”
Chapter Seven
“The grounds were quite simple, but there was a pleasing quality about them.” I watched Leah in the reflection, twisting a strand of hair and pinning it into place. “And though I long to be convincing Lord Thorton of our compatibility”—my eyes settled on the rose—“Fairhaven is certainly preferable to Sandson Hall.”
Leah did not respond, but adjusted a few last golden curls before making quick work of weaving a ribbon through it. “Finished.”
I leaned in close to the looking glass, inspecting my coiffure from each angle. “Well done, as usual.”
“Thank you, miss.”
I stood, taking several steps back from the vanity in hopes of catching a more thorough view of myself. It wasn’t ideal, as my own full-length mirror would have been, but it was sufficient enough to see how the stunning silk gown I had chosen draped upon my curves perfectly. “A lady should be able to don her finest without a particular purpose,” I said, with an air of indifference. There was no one here to impress, so why did my heart patter about in such an irritating manner?
Appraising my reflection one last time, I gave my cheeks a little pinch and walked from the room to make my way downstairs.
“Good evening,” I said, gliding into the drawing room to find only Augustus and his mother present. Augustus turned toward me, a most satisfying smile alighting his features, and I could sense his struggle at keeping his eyes on my face. Forcing back my amusement, I gave him a nod of acknowledgment and looked to Mrs. Brundage.
“How lovely you are, Miss Godwin.” Mrs. Brundage walked toward me with outstretched hands. “Though I am now regretting not having asked some of our neighbors to dine with us. You look too fine for our simple party.”
I clasped her hands in mine. “You are kind. But I prefer an intimate dinner to one with too many faces I do not recognize.”
“I quite agree.” Mrs. Brundage hesitated. “I just wish Owen could be here. Or the Whitmores. They would certainly have added some liveliness to our small group.”
“Will the younger Mr. Brundage be in London long?” My inquiry came partly from curiosity and partly from the desire to avoid speaking of the praiseworthy Miss Whitmore I’d already heard too much about.
Augustus and his mother shared an uneasy glance. “We are not yet certain,” Augustus said, stepping to my side. “But we are hopeful he will return before your departure, at least for a visit.”
“I should very much like that.” I scanned the vacant room, hating to feel the outsider on whatever they were attempting to keep hidden. “And where is Ruth?”
Mrs. Brundage hesitated a second time. “She has gone to convince Sarah to join us. I know Sarah is not yet out, her being only seventeen, but when we don’t have guests, or our only guests are the Whitmores, we allow her to join us for the evening.” Her eyes flickered to Augustus. “Ruth assured me you would not mind if we treated you with such familiarity.”
“Of course I don’t mind. It is fitting for you to treat me as such, considering Ruth is like my own family.”
Mrs. Brundage’s smile broadened, and she wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “In that case, we are happy to oblige you, my dear girl.”
An odd warmth settled over me at her touch, and I crossed my arms to balance the wave of uncertainty that raced through me.
“Here we are!” Ruth called, pulling a blushing Sarah behind her. Her eyes stopped on me and moved over my gown. “Oh, Bella. Look at you.”
The warmth that had filled my body with Mrs. Brundage’s kindness suddenly moved upward, concentrating in my cheeks. “And look at you.” Oddly wishing to pull the attention from myself and my unnerving blush, I gestured to Ruth then Sarah. “And Miss Brundage, you both look so lovely.”
Sarah dropped her head. “You may call me Sarah if you like,” she whispered.
I glanced at Augustus, who wore an approving grin. “I would like that very much. Thank you.”
“May we go in now?” Ruth asked. “I’m absolutely famished.”
“Oh, Ruth.” Mrs. Brundage’s tone displayed endearment rather than correction. “Go on then. Lead us in.”
Augustus and I leisurely followed the others.
Leaning in toward him, I lowered my voice to ensure I would not be overheard. “Your sister is so quiet.”
“At first. She takes a little longer to warm to people, but in time she’ll prove herself to be just as silly as Ruth.”
I considered Sarah, now several paces in front of us, whispering into Ruth’s ear. The ladies exchanged a muted giggle before Ruth glanced over her shoulder in our direction.
“I hope she doesn’t take too long to warm to me, for I hate to think my being here makes her feel ill at ease.”
A side of Augustus’s mouth quirked upward. “Of course it does. You make everyone feel ill at ease.”
My gaze shot to his profile. “Whyever would you say such a thing?”
His irksome smile grew. “Because it is the truth.” He stopped to allow me to step through the dining room ahead of him, but I hesitated, searching his features and longing to press him for an explanation.
“Is anything amiss?” Mrs. Brundage’s question forced my consideration to our awaiting onlookers.
“Not in the least.” I continued forward, unwilling to allow my emotions, nor my curiosity, to get the better of me.
As we settled around the drawing room fire, Ruth placed a hand over her stomach and leaned back into the settee. “Cook truly outdid herself tonight. I feel absolutely stuffed with roast chicken
.”
“It was delightful,” I acknowledged, biting back my comment on appropriate portion sizes for a lady. With each folly Ruth exhibited, I grew more eager to begin our training.
Ruth glanced around. “So, how shall we occupy our time this evening?”
“We could simply converse,” I suggested, too exhausted for much else.
Mrs. Brundage nodded her agreement. “Yes, that sounds just the thing.”
“I know.” Ruth sent me a pointed glance. “Considering how much Bella adores London, why don’t we all share our favorite amusements in Town, then she will tell us if it makes her list also. I’ll start.” Her thoughtful hum disrupted the quiet. “The Royal Menagerie.”
Sarah bobbed her head. “That would be mine also,” she said, her voice almost inaudible.
Ruth gave her cousin a hasty smile and looked back to me. “And what do you think of it, Bella?”
“I regret that I have not had the opportunity to visit the menagerie.”
Ruth flung herself forward in her seat to better see me. “But whyever not?”
Though I’d always wanted to, Mother had always insisted the menagerie was a place for people inclined to vulgar curiosity. It hardly mattered how many times I had reasoned that the exotic animals belonged to the Royal Family—gifts from dignitaries all around the world.
But I could not say as much to Ruth, especially not with the Brundages listening in. “I fear it was never a priority during our stay in Town.”
“Well you must make it such during your next visit. It was extraordinary. There were bears, tigers, leopards … even an elephant. I only wish they still had monkeys, though I know why they had to be rid of them—poor boy.” Ruth’s eyes widened at my questioning stare, as though she had a rousing secret to tell. “A keeper said a small boy had his leg nearly torn off by a monkey several years ago. Apparently, they were just out roaming free. Can you imagine how frightful that would have been to witness?”
My hand involuntarily moved to cover my mouth. “That is horrible.” Perhaps there was wisdom in Mother’s refusal.
“Augi, tell her of the time you saw a rat run into the lioness’s den. How the lion pounced so quickly that the rat hadn’t even a moment to realize where it had sought refuge from the crowds.”
Augustus pressed his lips together. “I do believe you summed the whole thing up quite perfectly.”
Ruth gave a pout. “Oh. I suppose I did. Forgive me.”
I gave an amused shake of my head, turning my regard to Mrs. Brundage. “And what is it you most enjoy in London?”
Mrs. Brundage, who sat next to me on the settee, waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, you needn’t hear from me.”
“We most certainly must.”
Even in the dim light of the flickering fire, it was apparent her round face colored. “Well, I do always love going to Gunter’s for ices.”
A smile touched my lips. “That would definitely be on my list. In truth, it is one of the things I long for most when I’m away.”
She leaned in, lessening the space between us. “What I wouldn’t give for a lavender scoop at this very moment.”
I put my hand atop hers. “We shall have to make a trip there if we are ever in London at the same time, for lavender is also my favorite flavor.”
“Lavender?” Augustus repeated, drawing our attention. “Over bergamot? Or maple?”
I examined his disbelieving smirk and offered him a scrutinizing look in return. “It seems not everyone is equal to our finer tastes, Mrs. Brundage.”
Augustus gave a playful scoff, glancing past all of us to his sister at the far end of the settee. “Sarah, surely you’ll agree with me?”
Sarah gave a timid head shake. “I prefer chocolate.”
Augustus dropped his shoulders. “Ruth?”
Ruth bit at her lip, her expression apologetic. “Chocolate, also.”
I looked back to him, attempting to conceal my amusement. “There you have it, Mr. Brundage. The votes have been tallied, and it looks as though you are the clear minority.”
He bowed his shaking head in mock defeat.
“As your consolation, I promise not to scoff when you offer up your answer as to what aspect of Town has brought you the most joy.”
He moved his gaze to the fire and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I suppose if I must choose, my answer would be, without question, Lord and Lady Brimhall’s ball.”
Ruth’s brow furrowed in near unison with my own. “But you did not attend the ball with us,” she said.
Augustus gave a slow nod. “Regardless, it is the aspect of London that has brought me the most joy. For without the two of you meeting there”—his eyes slid to me, and I stiffened—“Miss Godwin would not be here with us now, discussing the menagerie and Gunter’s.”
Color filled my cheeks so immediately, I lifted my hand to see if I could feel the warmth through my glove.
Mrs. Brundage laughed. “Oh, Augustus. Look how you have made our guest blush.” Her hand covered the one I had just returned to my lap, and she gave it a gentle squeeze. “Pay him no heed, Miss Godwin. I’m afraid he has always enjoyed rattling us a bit, and it seems you are no exception to his troublesome ways.”
I sent him a pointed look. “I do recall that about him.”
He leaned into the wing-backed chair and extended his feet. “Such harsh accusations you have both laid against me.”
Mrs. Brundage wagged a playful finger at him. “Harsh, yet deserved.”
Augustus’s smile settled on me. “What are your thoughts on a mother scolding her son in front of a guest?”
My throat grew tight. “It is a mother’s role, is it not? I know my own mother has scolded me more times than I can count.”
His smile lessened, and his eyes flitted over my features, discerning too much.
“I am all astonishment that your mother could find anything to scold you for, Bella,” Ruth said lightly. “I believe you are the most well-trained lady in all of England.”
I turned toward Ruth, realizing I’d stumbled upon a viable means of introducing the notion of her training. “One must first find fault to remedy it. Surely you remember that I used to be quite the heathen, running about the woods as though I had not a care in the world.”
“I remember,” Augustus said.
The way he looked at me left me grasping for what I had wanted to say to Ruth. “Yes, well …” It didn’t come.
“Do you remember the first time you climbed that old, gnarled black poplar?” Augustus asked, stealing any opportunity I had to conjure my fading thoughts. “I had told you it would be impossible to climb wearing a dress, but you set out to prove me wrong.”
“And I did.”
He chuckled. “You certainly did.” His expression turned reminiscent. “After that, we used to climb up the tree and wait for people to pass at its base.” His eyes twinkled with mischief as they refocused on our watchful faces. “Bella had the idea to toss pebbles into nearby bushes to spook the poor souls passing by. Not that it worked, and we finally had to resort to making ghoulish noises, awful as they were.”
Overlooking the slip of my Christian name, I shook my head. “That was not my idea.”
“Was it not? I feel confident that it was.”
I shot him a disbelieving glare. “As though distressing innocents was ever done at my suggestion.”
“No, I suppose not.” He paused. “Your talent has always been distressing chaps who had recklessly become smitten with you.” Before I could voice my offense at such a brazen statement, Augustus laughed again. “Do you recall when I brought my friend, Robert, to Blacksley during a school holiday? He was so enamored with you, he could hardly speak any time you were near, poor fellow.”
With the memory of Augustus’s long-forgotten school mate, I pressed my lips together to ensure my laughter did not escape. “His visit was the first time I realized the intrinsic power that comes with being a female. It was quite eye-opening.”
Augustus furrowed his brow. “You hadn’t realized it before that?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
He glanced at his mother. “It is nothing. I don’t intend to be corrected for making you blush a second time.”
I surveyed him, knowing I should accept his excuse and permit a change in subject, but I found my resolve lacking. “Let me assure you, I have no intention of blushing at whatever you say.”
He opened his mouth and closed it again, releasing a slow exhale.
I lifted my hand to my mouth, certain I could not keep my laugh in without physical reinforcement. “You are not implying that you were one of those boys who came under my intrinsic female powers?”
“A young lad’s affections should not be mocked, Miss Godwin.” He gave his head a correctional shake, though a grin now graced his lips.
Despite my assurances to the contrary, my face reddened in a most embarrassing display. I had realized his regard for me had begun to change, but that was not until right before he left Bath. Up until then, I had assumed his behavior was a result of the stupidity of boyhood. “All those times you teased me?”
He shrugged. “I’m far from proud that my initial response to this mystical power of yours was to act a jester. I would have much preferred Robert’s speechlessness to such nonsense.”
My mind sifted through memories of Augustus. Had his constant teasing truly been because of his affections for me all along? Regardless, it left me feeling somehow elated, even giddy. “Well, I’m glad I no longer have such an effect on you. I should hate to see what tomfooleries you would implement to gain my attentions now.”
“Let us hope then that such drastic strategies might be avoided.” Augustus stood and winked at me.
My mouth parted at his nerve before my lips betrayed me with a smile.
“Are you retiring already, dear?” Mrs. Brundage asked, a touch of concern in her tone.
His gaze lingered on me before shifting to his mother. “A man can only undertake so much goading before his resolve weakens. Who knows what other admissions are at risk of liberation if I remain? But, by all means, feel free to gossip about the ones I have offered up once I leave you.”
A Well-Trained Lady (Seasons of Change Book 4) Page 7