A Marriage of Convenience with a Guarded Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Love’s Gentle Manners Book 1) by Emily Barnet

Author:Emily Barnet [Barnet, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Nicholas drew in a nervous breath. He tried to drag his eyes away from Miss Rowland, but he found that he could not. Her soft hair glowed in the candlelight, the long lilac gown accenting her soft curves and making her eyes seem even brighter. Her dress was simple and unembellished, and it suited her well—unfussy and pretty at once. The smell of her—roses and lavender—still set his head spinning. He grinned at her, taking another long breath in, and trying to be calm.

“I trust I’m not too late,” Miss Rowland murmured. She seemed nervous, her posture tense, voice tight.

“Not at all,” he said swiftly, eager to put her at her ease. “We’ve only just assembled there ourselves. We are all eager to see you,” he added.

Miss Rowland stiffened visibly, and he smiled inwardly. It seemed astonishing that anyone should be nervous of meeting his family—but then, he knew what fine people his family were. Miss Rowland turned to her chaperone, who was standing a little behind them in the foyer.

“I will be well, Judy,” she murmured. “You may take the coach home.”

“Of course, Miss Rowland.” The chaperone beamed and curtseyed.

Nicholas watched the chaperone, Judy, walk to the front door, feeling a warm fondness towards her. She was very accommodating—perhaps overly so, but he appreciated it. He might never have had the opportunity to talk to Miss Rowland as sincerely as he had if she’d had a different chaperone.

They walked slowly up the stairs.

His mother was coming down as they went up, with Henry and the girls just behind her. His heart soared as Mama beamed and dropped a small curtsey to Miss Rowland when she reached the landing.

“Miss Rowland! Welcome. I’m delighted to be able to have you here with us tonight.” Her voice was soft.

“Thank you, Lady Aldford.”

Miss Rowland’s voice was tight and strained. Nicholas smiled with encouragement. He knew what it felt like to be scared of meeting people. He felt scared every time he went anywhere. Behind Mama, Henry bowed low, eyes twinkling warmly as he greeted her.

“Good evening, Miss Rowland. A pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you,” Miss Rowland murmured shyly.

Nicholas’ gaze moved to Clarissa and Marcia, who approached eagerly, pushing their way forward towards Miss Rowland.

“Welcome, Miss Rowland!” Clarissa greeted her expansively.

“Very pleased to have you here, Miss Rowland,” Marcia said warmly.

They all three of them curtseyed at once. Nicholas bit his lip to hide his smile. His sisters were slightly shorter than Miss Rowland, who was not particularly tall, and Clarissa wore pale green while Marcia wore a pinkish lilac gown.

“I'm pleased to meet you,” Miss Rowland said shyly.

They all looked at each other in shy silence.

Henry beamed. “Come on, then, Miss Rowland,” he said in a warm voice. “Please join us in the drawing-room.”

Nicholas stood back to let the ladies go first and they all moved slowly up the stairs. Miss Rowland, her slight form clad in the soft lavender gown, seemed small and graceful in the big, imposing house.

It was customary to settle in the drawing room to talk before dinner.

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