A Lady's Prerogative by Annabelle Anders

Author:Annabelle Anders [Anders, Annabelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, regency, historical
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2018-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Her mother’s various courses never tasted so divine as they did that night. Except perhaps not because of the food, but the benefit of receiving such undivided attention from Garrett Castleton. He treated her almost as though he were courting her. He was polite to her brother, Peter, who sat on his other side, but included her in their conversation as well. Occasionally, he placed his hand upon her arm in a casual but…possessive manner. He did not, however, attempt to touch her inappropriately, as he had done the night before.

This was almost more tantalizing.

Garrett’s demeanor had concerned Natalie when she watched him enter the drawing room earlier. His jaw had been clenched and his eyes narrowed. Immediately, she sensed something untoward must have occurred with Stone’s guests causing Garrett to be on the verge of losing his temper. She’d been drawn to his side. She wanted to soothe him. She could not keep herself from touching him. And now, she clutched the handkerchief he’d given to her in her left hand, under the table.

Looking at him now, she could hardly believe anything upsetting had transpired at all. Engaged in animated conversation, he exuded both charisma and charm. The world was a wonderful place indeed, when Garrett Castleton smiled.

“Shall we? Ladies?” Natalie’s mother rose, signaling the ladies leave the gentlemen to their port.

Oh, bother. Natalie would have sat there all night if given the opportunity. Except, perhaps she ought to take a moment to pull herself together. These feelings were too heady, too intoxicating. It wouldn’t do for her to fall all over him giddily, like the schoolgirl he’d pegged her for on more than one occasion already.

But he was not treating her thusly tonight. When she rose to leave, he caught her arm for just a second. And he winked at her! Could he read her mind, for heaven’s sake?

She did not wink back. Instead she dipped into a quick curtsey, excusing herself, and followed the other ladies out of the room.

Natalie wrestled with a strange hope building in her heart. Was he serious about her? Is that what this meant? Or was he merely being kind for the sake of her father and mother?

She wished she knew.

As the ladies swept into the drawing room, mother instructed the footmen to open the french doors leading to the terrace. The summer sun had warmed the normally comfortable assembling area. The breeze would be welcomed.

Natalie felt stifled, nonetheless.

Far too many concerns filled her mind for her to sit and make polite conversation, Garrett Castleton being the most pressing, and Baby Bear coming in second. She’d left her new baby in Mrs. Tinsdale’s care. Tinny had promised under no circumstances would Baby Bear escape from her.

Making a quick decision, Natalie pivoted and then slipped back into the corridor. Baby Bear could make his bow to polite society—on dry land this time. Yes, this was the diversion she needed.

She dashed upstairs and burst into her chamber. There on the loveseat, darning one of Natalie’s petticoats and humming, sat Mrs.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.