Besting the Earl: Marrying for Love Book Two by Kensington Allie

Author:Kensington, Allie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ardently Admired Press
Published: 2022-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“How you ladies can sit about all day is positively beyond me,” Charles said, his mood brooding as he entered the drawing room a few days after the picnic.

Cassandra did not look up from where she sat at the table, trimming a bonnet in a dark wine-colored ribbon. The only indication that she’d heard him was the movement of her right eyebrow, moving up ever so slightly. “Don’t look now, Lizzie, but I fear our houseguest is stir-crazy. Whatever shall we do?” she asked, giving an exasperated look at her sister.

Lizzie only laughed. “Some tasks are easiest when sitting. But it is not as if we are being idle. I finished a book this morning.”

Cassandra frowned. “Lizzie, I know you are not out yet, but completing a book is not the thing to talk about when in company.”

Lizzie surveyed Charles. “Charles hardly counts as company. He is practically family, and besides he already knows that I am fond of reading. I will not pretend otherwise.”

At this Cassandra looked at Charles, worry on her face. “Dearest, I know you like to read. You remind me of Papa every time I see you with a book in your hand. But when you are out in Society, it should not be among the first things you mention to a gentleman when he comes into a room. It is not done.”

Lizzie picked up the bonnet in front of her and surveyed the ribbons laid out on the table. She picked up a pale cream colored one and seemed resigned to copying her sister in manners and air. “I’m sure you are right, sister.” She turned to Charles, with a smile that was not as practiced as her elder sister’s smile. “Charles, do tell us why you are unsettled.”

“Lizzie, what an impertinent question,” Lady Cassandra scolded.

“It is not. He came into the room saying just as much without using those words, and you made the remark yourself.”

“Yes, but dearest, the way I brought it up was not a direct question. It was an observation that Charles may decide to comment on or not comment on. If he chooses to respond, then the conversation is opened by him. If he chooses to ignore the observation, then we must not press him for more details, especially as he appears more than usually agitated.”

“I am not unsettled,” Charles said, without conviction. “I just wondered how it is that you can sit so still for so many hours. I confess I need more exercise than that.”

Cassandra looked at Charles with amusement, then said, “Alright, Lizzie, here is a lesson for you. Charles is obviously not wanting to talk about what’s on his mind or why he is agitated. So, as a hostess, one shouldn’t press. Clearly, he has something on his mind, but it will be no use fishing for it this afternoon. Instead, grasp onto the topic that he did offer. If he sincerely wants to know how we can stay at our task for so long we should tell him.

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