Harlequin Historical September 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Annie Burrows

Author:Annie Burrows [Burrows, Annie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Iris looked down the table, to where Lady Redcliffe was seated. She was smiling brightly, laughing loudly and talking animatedly, as if she was having the best time of her life. And yet, she kept flicking quick glances in the Earl’s direction as if to reassure herself that she had his attention.

Her husband gave the appearance of either being oblivious to this behaviour, or enjoying it, sitting across the table from her, looking as proud as a peacock. Every man around her was focused on Lady Redcliffe and she was glowing, revelling in being the centre of attention.

Iris wished Lady Redcliffe would stop laughing so loudly and drawing attention to herself. Iris rarely cared about such things. After all, her family could get raucous at times and she herself was known to laugh loudly on occasion, even when she knew such behaviour was deemed unacceptable for a young lady. But even though she wished it wasn’t so, Lady Redcliffe’s laughter was grating on her nerves. Was it because it sounded so false, or was it because of the effect it was having on the Earl? Or, much worse than either of those reasons, was it simply that she was jealous because Lady Redcliffe was drawing the Earl’s attention away from her? Was she that self-centred? The poor man was suffering and she was being a vain and frivolous woman, wanting to keep his attention all to herself.

Yes, she was pathetic, and not particularly nice. It was the Earl that was being forced to endure something which was causing him great anguish, and here she was feeling sorry for herself.

He should never have been forced to attend this dinner party. If it weren’t for her and her mother the Earl would be at home beside his fire with Max. She looked down to the other end of the table, where her mother was sitting beside Lord Walberton. Her mother sent her a sad smile. Lady Redcliffe’s behaviour and the Earl’s reaction had not been missed by her ever-astute mother.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Iris murmured.

He shook his head. ‘You’ve nothing to be sorry for,’ he said, raising his hand to signal the footman. ‘And certainly not for this rather fine Bordeaux.’

He lowered his glass and drew in a deep breath. ‘Lady Iris, really, you have nothing to apologise for,’ he repeated, his voice conciliatory. ‘I’m a grown man and I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, but I thank you for your concern.’

She looked at his wine glass and frowned, hoping that wasn’t the way he thought he could look after himself.

‘You don’t appear to have eaten your salmon,’ she said.

‘No, I have no appetite,’ he said sharply. Then in a softer voice he continued, ‘It’s a shame Max isn’t here. Living on my own, I have got into the bad habit of giving him anything I don’t eat myself.’

Iris smiled, pleased that he was no longer speaking in such a terse manner and pleased that Lady Redcliffe’s laughter was no longer filling the air.

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