In Search of a Viscountess by Carol Arens

Author:Carol Arens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-21T14:50:07+00:00

Chapter Ten

Three days after the first parrots had arrived at Rivenhall, the enclosure was complete. For the most part the hunt to find the birds had been successful. Two of them were still unaccounted for, which did not rest easy on Evie’s heart.

She sat at the breakfast table, her chin propped in her hand, weary to the bone. She had not slept for two nights, having spent them in the conservatory making sure the birds did not destroy Lord Rivenhall’s special place. As she understood it, the indoor garden had been a very special gift for his wife.

Since no one else had come down for breakfast yet, she closed her eyes.

Oh, what bliss. To just sit and let her mind drift was a relief. Staying up all night then making social calls all day was enough to wear one down.

It should not come as a surprise to find that her mind drifted to Thomas. Unless she made a point of keeping it busy elsewhere, that was where her thoughts tended to go.

Just now they drifted to an image of his smile...how very pleasant it was...and what she could do to make him use it more often.

She could recite jokes if she were skilled at it. Or she could...um...what else...? Dance...sit on clouds...float—

Her head jerked. My stars! She had fallen asleep sitting upright at the table. There was a slice of ham on her breakfast plate. She cut a piece, chewed vigorously.

Thomas was hosting a gathering in two days. She needed to have enough energy to keep her eyes open throughout.

There was to be a poetry-reading by a local poet and music performed by a gifted neighbour. Other guests would be invited to sing as well. From what Minerva had told her, Lydia would be singing.

Evie hoped she had an enchanting voice because, for all that it was uncharitable to think so, a lovely voice might be the only thing exciting about the lady.

Yesterday, Thomas had invited her and Minerva to walk in the park with him and Lydia. Having watched the two of them together, she’d come to the conclusion that Thomas was going to be dissatisfied in his marriage.

Or, if not dissatisfied, at least not blissfully happy.

If one were to commit one’s life to another person there needed to be some bliss involved, a dash of excitement at the very least.

Unbelievably, Thomas seemed to be content to have a wife who would occupy the perimeter of his life. There must be something she could do to save him from that fate...although she could not imagine what.

That sort of understanding must come from one’s own heart or it was worthless. Besides, it was none of her business whom he chose to wed.

Mmm...it felt so wonderful to close her eyes again. Perhaps this afternoon she would nap in her chamber. Minerva was spending the day with friends and so she would be free to stretch across her bed and indulge in a doze for an hour or two.

She yawned. Odd images paraded across her mind which had nothing to do with anything logical.

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