Secrets and Suitors by Joanna Barker

Author:Joanna Barker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2020-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

It took my borrowed lady’s maid a long while to fix my hair for dinner that night. Not only did my hair need to be curled again after my nap, but the poor girl was something of a nervous mess. She was clearly not very experienced, likely used only when the countess had need of her with company. Her hands shook as they pinned back my hair.

Finally she placed the last pin and stepped away. “Finished, miss,” she said in a near-whisper.

I turned my head in the mirror. It was not Margaret’s fine handiwork, but the maid had done quite well, considering how tangled my hair had been to start with. “Thank you. It is lovely.”

She looked impossibly relieved, and I nearly chuckled. How odd it was to think that I, of all people, made her nervous. She curtsied and backed out of the room, leaving me alone to compose myself for the evening ahead.

I met my own eyes in the mirror and inhaled a deep breath.

“Lord Worthington,” I said softly, practicing the sugar-sweet coyness I had observed in so many other ladies. “How glad I am to see you.”

I sounded ridiculous. This was impossible. How could I think to try my hand at flirting? But how else could I capture Lord Worthington’s attention?

I crossed my arms, my mind tumbling over options. In all of our interactions so far, I had not flirted, I had not played coy or demure or enticing. I had acted as I always did, even if he did fluster me a great deal. He had seemed to like me. Was it possible he liked me because of who I was and not simply because I said amusing things sometimes?

In any case, I did not much relish the idea of attempting to flirt with Lord Worthington when James was in the room. I could easily picture his laughing eyes and twitching lips. Better to try and act myself. Besides, if Lord Worthington did like me despite my flaws, that surely boded well.

In truth, I was still not entirely sure how I felt about him. I enjoyed our conversations, once my initial nerves settled, and I could not pretend I did not like the feel of his gaze on me, warm and appreciative. I certainly did not mind looking at him, handsome as he was. There was so much more to learn about him, I was sure of it. He’d proven himself to be attentive and kind in all our interactions so far. But would he be just as kind if he were my husband? What kind of father would he be to any children we might have? How would we spend our days if we were married? I was determined to discover the answers to these questions and more. Flirtations and handsome faces were all good and well, but I needed more. I needed to know if this connection between us was lasting.

He certainly made me feel more than Mr. Weston did. With Mr. Weston it was all awkwardness and stilted conversation.

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